A Dog's Life with Anna Webb

We’re joined by award winning Animal Physiotherapist, Donna Wills (RVN, PgCert A Physical, MIRVAP(VP), discussing her book, The Best Goodbye, which is a true story of love and farewell. Written as a life tribute to her dog, Logan, a rescued Border Collie, Donna talks about why it was so emotional to write but cathartic at the same time. It is a book about Logan and Donna’s special journey together, like a journey that all dog owners experience, but for Donna Logan was her ‘heart’ dog. Having been her constant companion through relationships, her marriage, and the birth of her children, it is a roller coaster and an emotional read as it will resonate with everyone who has loved and lost a dog. Understanding this Donna has dedicated the book to everyone who has lost a pet. Whilst talking about her own experience which pulls at the heart strings, Donna highlights top tips for making the inevitable as pain free as possible, with points to remember like caring for yourself as you grieve. Whilst sad and resonating outwards, it is also a celebration to remember the good times, the experiences, and ‘mountains' climbed together that will never leave as they are memories fixed into your heart.

Donna's website where you can buy her book and her Instagram

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

We encourage you to feed your dog raw and believe Paleo Ridge is the best place to start!

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

To advertise on or sponsor A Dog's Life email: [email protected]

This week we’re joined by Andrew Hale. As a certified dog behaviourist, one of the founders of the UK Dog Charter and much more, he runs his practice in south Devon called Dog Certified Care. We chat about how his human psychology degree and work in practice for people inspired helping owners and their dogs. Without ‘humanisation’ Andrew talks about why we must factor the emotional experience into training and behaviour, indeed life itself. With so much science highlighting emotional intelligence in all animals, especially dogs, Andrew’s view is about ensuring dogs are kept safe but allowed free expression. And seeing learning as an interaction, building a relationship rather than exclusively on operant conditioning. It goes without saying we discuss why lifestyle, experience, accommodation must be factored into the choice of dog. How stress causes disease, and why humans can be emotional contagions. We chat about a natural remedy helping balancing the modern life stressors with calmer dogs, calmer people and a more harmonious relationship.

Andrew's website

Find out more about Pet Remedy here

Instagram: @petremedyofficial

if you love A Dog's Life and would like to help support the show why not become a Patreon backer where you can also have access to some exclusive content.

If you want to move your dog to a raw diet or even switch brands we wholly recommend Paleo Ridge

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

To advertise on or sponsor A Dog's Life email: [email protected]

This week Anna is joined by Dr Nick Thompson, known as the Holistic Vet. We chat about vaccines, but also about minimising chemicals in your home. Science proves that indoor environments can be 100 times more toxic than outdoors. With this in mind Dr Nick talks about his experience using ‘probiotic therapy’. We chat about his experience with his own dogs in terms of Dental Care and with Dog Dental Month upcoming, it's a timely reminder that tooth brushing is not always the full proof answer in dogs or indeed humans. This why diet plays a major role. Dr Nick has long championed feeding a raw balanced and complete diet and we chat about why keeping your dog’s mouth full of good bacteria, rather than creating a sterile environment created by sterile diets, is so easy yet important! Biscuit kibble gets stuck in dogs gums, and tiny particles remain overtime to create a pro-inflammatory reaction and gum disease. Conversely, feeding raw fuels the digestive system, the microbiome, and creates an environment in the mouth for good bacteria to flourish and counter any bad bacteria, which helps keep disease at bay. This coupled with regular treatment with Ingenious Probiotics’ Dental Spray has Dr Nick’s thumb’s up. Similarly for dogs fed on kibble diets especially adding some Collar-gen will replenish what is missing from a sterile biscuit diet. Collagen depletes in all mammals with age, and as a structural protein is essential for strong bones, and healthy soft tissue, including teeth and gums.

Nick's Website

Nick's Instagram

If you love A Dog's Life and would like to help support the show why not become a Patreon backer where you can also have access to some exclusive content.

If you want to move your dog to a raw diet or even switch brands we wholly recommend Paleo Ridge

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

To advertise on or sponsor A Dog's Life email: [email protected]

This week we’re joined by animal lover and animal advocate, John O’Callaghan, who has launched Dog Advocacy Ireland, a not for profit organisation aiming to make change! Known as the puppy farm capital of Europe, hundreds of puppy farms are permitted to operate without fear of detection or prosecution, to ‘breed for greed’ in an illegal industry which yields at least €200 million annually. He discusses why change is needed where a Government misappropriates tax-payers money in funding hare coursing and Greyhound Racing, despite public opposition, and must be held accountable for condoning dog/animal mistreatment. John explains why Ireland has a poor reputation when it comes to animal welfare despite legislation including The Animal Welfare Act and the Control of Dogs Act, Parliament is divided. "Dog Advocacy Ireland is openly inviting ALL right-minded dog/animal lovers to join our non-profit organisation in forging meaningful change of mindset and policy on dog/animal welfare protection in our country. We want Government to uphold current legislation, under the Animal welfare Act 2013 which includes the duty of care under the Five Freedoms. Similarly, Dog Advocacy Ireland wants to ensure that local authorities work proactively in line with the ‘Control of Dogs Act’ to encourage and support responsible dog ownership. Bringing dog welfare centre stage in public consciousness, together with cooperative engagement with the political system, is paramount in effecting meaningful change. John discusses why government’s abdication of statutory responsibilities on dog/animal welfare protection legislation has reached intolerable levels. Subscribe to Dog Advocacy Ireland to help bring positive change.

Twitter: @AdvocacyDog

If you love A Dog's Life and would like to help support the show why not become a Patreon backer where you can also have access to some exclusive content.

If you want to move your dog to a raw diet or even switch brands we wholly recommend Paleo Ridge

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

To advertise on or sponsor A Dog's Life email: [email protected]