Straight Up Dog Talk

💛 How do you prepare your heart for the goodbye you know is coming? In this deeply moving follow-up episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em sits down with Beth Bigler from Honoring Our Animals to talk about anticipatory loss, pet grief, and the emotional journey of loving a pet through their final chapter.

💡 In this episode:

• What anticipatory grief looks like and why it matters
• Em’s personal experience navigating this with Toby and Fitz
• How Beth’s small group sessions offer support and healing
• Meaningful ways to honor your pet before and after loss
• Encouragement for those struggling to find the right words, space, or community

Beth’s insight and compassion make this conversation a powerful resource for anyone navigating pet loss—or wanting to support someone who is.

🎧 Tune in for a heart-centered conversation that brings comfort, clarity, and connection in the face of one of life’s hardest goodbyes.

Guest Info:Learn more: https://www.honoringouranimals.comFollow on Instagram: @honoringouranimals

Stay Connected:
💛 Follow Straight Up Dog Talk for more insights and updates on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

#petloss #anticipatorygrief #honoringouranimals #petparentcommunity #straightupdogtalk

This episode is proudly sponsored by our partnership with Honoring Our Animals.

💛 Saying goodbye is the hardest part of loving a pet. In this deeply heartfelt episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em sits down with Dr. Benson and Courtney from Paws Into Grace to explore how we can provide comfort, dignity, and love during our pets' final chapter.

💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What in-home end-of-life care looks like and why it matters
• How to prepare emotionally and logistically for your pet’s passing
• What options exist for aftercare and honoring your pet’s life
• How Dr. Benson is changing the narrative around pet loss with grace and compassion

This episode offers support, insight, and reassurance to any pet parent navigating grief or anticipating a goodbye.

Guest Info:
📲 Follow Paws Into Grace on Instagram: @pawsintograce🌐 Learn more about their compassionate services: https://pawsintograce.com

Stay Connected:
💛 Follow Straight Up Dog Talk for more insights and updates on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

#petloss #endoflifecare #pawsintograce #petparentcommunity #straightupdogtalk

🐾 Ever feel like your dog is trying to teach you something?

On this heartfelt episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em chats with Douglas Green, therapist and author of The Teachings of Shirelle: Life Lessons from a Divine Knucklehead. This touching, humorous, and profound book explores the emotional wisdom we gain from our dogs—and Em thinks it’s a must-read for every pet parent.

Doug shares unforgettable stories of his dog Shirelle and how her mischief, devotion, and pure presence shaped his life. Together, Em and Doug unpack the emotional power of the human-dog bond and the lessons our dogs leave us, even long after they’re gone.

💡 In this episode:

• How one dog changed everything
• The emotional wisdom dogs offer us daily
• Why laughter, loss, and love are all connected
• How grief and joy can coexist in the dog-human relationship

Whether you're deep in the dog parent journey or still healing from loss, this episode will leave you feeling seen—and maybe a little teary.

📚 Order the book: The Teachings of Shirelle

🐶 Ask Shirelle for advice: askshirelle.com

📲 Follow Doug on Instagram: @douggreenauthor

Stay Connected:

💛 Follow Straight Up Dog Talk for more insights and updates on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook.

#dogwisdom #doggriefsupport #petlossandhealing #straightupdogtalk #lifelessonsfromdogs

🎧 Is it possible to support both rescue and responsible breeding?

In this episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em and Josh sit down with Carly, an ethical breeder and owner of Dare to Dream Dahls, to break down one of the most debated topics in the dog world—ethical breeding.

Carly shares her honest take on what it means to breed responsibly, the systems she has in place to protect the dogs she brings into the world, and how she advocates for transparency, education, and ethical standards.

💡 Inside this episode:

• What ethical breeding actually looks like
• Why detailed contracts and vetting matter
• The role of health testing and education
• How pricing supports responsible practices—not profit

Whether you're unsure about the ethics of breeding or want to better understand how responsible breeders operate, this is a conversation worth tuning into.

📲 Follow Carly on Instagram: @dreamydahlhomestead

🌐 Learn more: daretodreamdahls.com

Stay Connected:

💛 Follow Straight Up Dog Talk for more insights and updates on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook.

#ethicalbreeding #dogparenteducation #rescuedoglove #straightupdogtalk #dogethics

This episode is proudly sponsored by our partnership with PetMatRx.

Use code SUDT20 to save 20% off your purchase at petmatrx.com.

This affiliate link supports the podcast and helps fuel the RV dream 💛

🐾 What if your daily dog walk could help build a kinder, safer community? In this episode, Em chats with Laura—professional dog walker and creator behind Curious Snoots—about how thoughtful walking practices and mutual respect between pet guardians can transform neighborhoods.

💡 In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why how we show up on walks matters
• How to handle off-leash dogs and boundary-pushing situations
• Tips for navigating awkward encounters with other pet parents
• The power of kindness, consistency, and communication

🌎 Laura shares how her work in dog walking fosters connection, safety, and compassion in the pet space—and how you can be part of that shift too.

🎧 Tune in for an honest, heartfelt conversation about responsibility, advocacy, and building stronger communities through everyday actions.

Guest Info:📲 Learn more about Curious Snoots and follow Laura's mission: @curioussnoots

Stay Connected:
💛 Follow Straight Up Dog Talk for more insights and updates on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

#dogwalkingetiquette #offleashdogs #communitykindness #responsibledogparenting #straightupdogtalk