Pet Parenting And Lifestyle Episodes
Being a great pet parent isn’t just about vet visits and training sessions—it’s about creating a home and lifestyle where pets and people truly thrive together. These episodes explore the everyday challenges and joys of life with pets, from building routines that work to keeping your home clean, calm, and pet-friendly.
Topics included: balancing life with pets, home organization, cleaning and odor control, travel with pets, family and pet routines, mental enrichment, pet parent mindset, lifestyle tips.
Topics included: balancing life with pets, home organization, cleaning and odor control, travel with pets, family and pet routines, mental enrichment, pet parent mindset, lifestyle tips.
May 28, 2024
When Your Pet Dies: Aftercare And Memorial Options
What do you do when the worst happens and your pet crosses the Rainbow Bridge? For many pet parents, navigating the grief and logistics of pet aftercare is overwhelming, especially if they’ve never faced it before. In this episode, I’m joined by Gia Kondakor, director of Pet Loss Services at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, to talk about what happens after a pet dies and the choices you have to honor them with care and dignity. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: The differences be...
May 14, 2024
The Research That Proves Pets Make Life Better (HABRI)
What if your pet isn’t “just company,” but part of a healthier, more stable life? In this episode, Amy Castro talks with Lindsey Braun, VP of Research and Operations at the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), the nonprofit funding millions of dollars in research on how pets shape our bodies, our stress response, and our communities. This conversation goes beyond feel-good stories. You’ll hear what the science actually shows, why that evidence matters, and how it’s being used to push fo...
April 23, 2024
How Guide Dog Puppies Are Trained To Become Heroes
Ever wonder what happens before a guide dog ever meets the person who needs them? Most people picture formal dog training, but the real foundation is built first by volunteer puppy raisers, the families who teach the basics, build confidence, and expose these pups to the real world. In this episode, you’ll hear from longtime puppy raisers Roxanne (and her husband Jim), now raising their 11th puppy, and Donna Mack, a guide dog handler and disability access leader, whose guide dog Wella has chang...
April 16, 2024
Spring and Summer Pet Safety: The Risks Nobody Warned You About
Worried about keeping your pets safe during the warmer months? From allergies and pests to heatstroke and toxic plants, spring and summer bring a new set of challenges for pet parents. In this episode, Amy is joined by Dr. Zoo from Family Animal Hospital to share essential seasonal safety tips that every dog or cat owner needs to hear. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: • How to protect your pet from seasonal allergies, pests, and plant toxins • Simple ways to keep your pet ...
April 2, 2024
Found A Litter Of Kittens? Here’s What To Do First
Not sure what to do when you stumble on a litter of kittens? Every spring, well-meaning people rush to “rescue” kittens they stumble across who may not need saving. In this episode, Amy breaks down what you need to know before stepping in—so you don’t accidentally do more harm than good. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: How to assess if the kittens are healthy or in dangerSimple ways to tell if the mother cat is still caring for themWhat signs indicate it’s time to intervene...
March 26, 2024
End-Of-Life Pet Photos: Why You’ll Be Glad You Did It
Ever wish you had more meaningful photos of your pet, especially near the end? A lot of pet parents don’t think about it until the final days hit, then they realize most of what they have are quick, blurry snapshots, not the kind of images that feel like them. In this episode, I’m joined by Angela Schneider of Big White Dog Photography and One Last Network to talk about end-of-life pet photography, what it is, what to expect, and why it can be one of the most comforting choices you make when ti...
March 19, 2024
Special-Needs Pet Care: The Reality and the Reward
Ever wonder what life really looks like after your pet gets a serious diagnosis? A chronic illness like diabetes doesn’t just change your pet’s routine, it changes yours, every single day. And it can get overwhelming fast, emotionally, logistically, and financially. In this episode, I talk with pet podcaster Julie Marty Pearson about her diabetic cat, Charlie, and what it really takes to manage long-term illness without falling apart in the process. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DIS...
March 5, 2024
Dog Owner Etiquette: Big Mistakes Everyone Notices
Ever feel like taking your dog out in public turns into chaos, side-eyes, and stress? Most “bad dog” moments are really people problems, like using too much leash, missing body language cues, or pushing a dog into situations they’re not ready for yet. In this episode, I talk with Nancy Hassel, founder of American Pet Professionals, about real-world dog etiquette, the kind that keeps your dog safer and makes everyone’s life easier, from your neighborhood walks to the vet to the park. BY THE TI...
Jan. 16, 2024
10 Pet Parent Habits for a Healthier, Happier Year
Want to be a better pet parent this year—but not sure where to start? In this playful and practical kickoff to Season 2, Amy Castro and Bev share 10 powerful resolutions every pet parent should consider. Whether you’ve made your list or need a few fresh ideas, this episode offers simple, meaningful ways to improve your pet’s health, happiness, and everyday life. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: How to create a proactive wellness plan with vet care, grooming, and hygieneEasy ...
Dec. 26, 2023
Season 1 Live Finale: The Best Moments, Biggest Lessons
Hey there! In this episode, you’ll hear us refer to the show as Starlight Pet Talk—that’s what we called it before we decided to embrace the fur, mess, and mayhem. Don’t worry, you’re in the right place for Muddy Paws and Hairballs—same great content, just with a name that fits! - Amy Wrapping up Season 1, Amy and Bev journey through your favorite episodes & theirs. We laughed, learned, and built a community around our love for pets. Looking ahead, Season 2 will bring even more enlighten...