Believe in Dog
Are you looking for deep dive conversations into topics like dog training & behavior issues, the best health & nutrition options for your dog or an honest look at rescues, shelters & the animal welfare world? Join Erin for candid discussions sharing wisdom that will help you navigate the challenges of pet parenthood, celebrate the amazing times and discover everything that Dog Moms & Dog Dads should know. Erin believes that dogs can be healers, teachers and inspirations in our lives. Say hi to your dog for me!
Episodes
Monday Mar 06, 2023
Monday Mar 06, 2023
Who is caring for your pets when you’re traveling? That’s the question today’s guest, Isabel Alvarez Arata, is going to help us answer.
Isabel describes herself an advocate for in-home pet sitting and shares with us everything we should know before hiring a pet sitter.
Though she’s a lifelong animal lover, Isabel never intended on a career in the pet industry. But when she had trouble finding a dog walker for her newly adopted dog Titan, Isabel saw a career changing opportunity and spent the next 15 years running a highly in-demand pet sitting business in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington DC.
A Dog Mom, Cat Mom, Human Mom and military spouse, Isabel is now a writer, journalist, content creator and creator of the Covered in Pet Hair Podcast. Isabel describes her podcast as a boozy show for pet lovers and every episode features cocktails and games mixed in with her interviews. (You can catch my episode of Covered in Pet Hair here.)
Spending her early years living in Ecuador before moving to Miami, Isabel shares this experience and reflects on how family pets are viewed in the Latin American culture and how that has evolved in the last 30 years.
This interview was recorded shortly after Isabel and her family said goodbye to their 15 ½ year old dog Titan. Isabel describes how her family celebrated Titan’s life and how she prepared her children to say goodbye. (Unbeknownst to me at the time, this was the last interview I recorded with Penny by my side.)
Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:
https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode65
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Monday Feb 20, 2023
Monday Feb 20, 2023
Today we’re welcoming two guests to the podcast!
First we’ll meet Michelle Dumont who created a series of children’s books based on Phoebe Cakes, the tiny special needs bulldog who spent 4 amazing years with Michelle & her family.
While Michelle always thought of herself as a “cat person,” she quickly fell in love with dogs after her sons' campaign for a canine family member.
When looking to adopt a bulldog from a local rescue, Michelle wasn’t deterred when she learned that her family was 21st on a list of applicants for a bulldog who needed some extra special attention. And it was meant to be when Phoebe joined their family.
From rides to Starbucks to her Mardi Gras Barkus Parade “float,” Phoebe lived and loved to the fullest. Michelle’s books continue to spread Phoebe’s zest for life to children with her fun interactive books.
I even learned some new dog breeds in Phoebe Cake’s Alphabet Tails! And how to pronounce Xoloitzcuintli.
Next we’ll meet young entrepreneur Ari Minkus, the founder of Always Happy Pets.
As a middle schooler, Ari created his company to provide high-quality sustainable gift baskets for dogs filled with treats and toys - which ship nationwide!
Ari shares what inspired him to start this venture, how he sources the products and why he stopped using actual baskets and what he uses instead.
We’ll also learn how COVID affected his schooling and his plans for the future. I think it’s safe to say this young man has a bright future ahead!
Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:
https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode64
Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.
Monday Feb 06, 2023
STAY: Lisa Rimmert’s Forever Friendship with Her Aging Dog
Monday Feb 06, 2023
Monday Feb 06, 2023
Thank you for your patience as I took a mini hiatus from the podcast these last couple weeks. When Lisa & I recorded this episode at the end of 2022, I didn’t know it would be hitting so close to home right now. As many of you know, we recently and very unexpectedly said goodbye to our beloved Penny when she suffered a sudden health crisis.
It’s very special to me that Penny was so much a part of my conversation with today’s guest, Lisa Rimmert.
Lisa is here to share the story of Dakota who inspired her book: STAY – My Forever Friendship with an Aging Dog. Have you ever felt like maybe you want to punch someone who calls your dog “old” or a “senior”? Lisa’s been there. But Lisa was pretty sure that her “elder states-dog” of the dog park was going to live forever.
Lisa graduated college, became a military spouse and adopted Dakota all within a few months in her early 20s. She spent her whole adult life with Dakota by her side – while crisscrossing the USA with her husband’s military assignments.
Lisa didn’t know how to be an adult without Dakota. And when Dakota begins to show concerning signs of a degenerative spinal disorder, Lisa didn’t want to have to be the grown-up to make difficult decisions on Dakota’s behalf.
Lisa & I share how much our dogs have taught us about ourselves – from enjoying the caregiver role to work/life balance – from being present to learning how to show up for others during hard times. I think many of us have felt that our dogs play a huge role in making you … you.
Both Lisa’s book and this conversation are vulnerable but perhaps surprisingly funny reflections of everything from mystery poops to examining our own internal monologue.
Lisa & I cover topics such as assessing your dog’s quality of life, advocating for your dog’s health and a few Public Service Announcements of things we’ve learned the hard way which might come handy for you in the future.
Trigger Warning: General theme of pet loss, but specifically may need tissues in the first 7 minutes.
Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:
https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode63
If you feel called to, you can make a donation in Penny’s memory to B-More Dog.
Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.
Monday Jan 09, 2023
Monday Jan 09, 2023
From running away from home with her dog to bringing her dog to college, Mindy Dutka has been passionate about her love for dogs since childhood. And Mindy’s other lifelong passion is photography.
6 years ago Mindy merged her passions to create her pet photography company: Dogs I Meet. From family photo shoots to working with pet brands, Mindy is dedicated to using photography to create connection through visual storytelling.
Mindy generously shares her best tips & tricks with us so we can all take better photos of our dogs with our phones. (I was doing one of these things right!) Check the show notes for these tips!
We also discuss the value of investing in photography for your family and how that can take on even more meaning after your dog has passed.
From free spay/neuter clinics in Mexico to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, Mindy’s photography has taken her on several adventures to document the amazingly powerful work of rescuers and volunteers working to save dogs’ lives globally.
Did you know a good photo can even save a dog’s life? Mindy also shares with us about her experiences volunteering with animal shelters and rescues to take photos of dogs looking to be adopted.
Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:
https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode62
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Monday Dec 19, 2022
Monday Dec 19, 2022
Steph Evans is a Physiotherapist (UK term for Physical Therapist) for both people and animals. She shares with us everything we should know to not only rehab our dogs after an injury – but also how to prevent injuries in the first place with Prehab. We’ll also learn signs of pain to look for in our dogs and thoughts about how to choose a harness versus a collar for your dog.
Steph is also the creator of the Ultimutt Bootcamp for Pet Parents and their pups to exercise together. Not only is this a great way to keep our bodies moving but it’s an amazing way to bond with our dogs! With her background in Physiotherapy, Steph is able to tailor exercises for each Pet Parent and their dog based on their limitations.
There’s so much more to my conversation with Steph though. After wanting a dog her whole life, 3 years ago Steph finally became a Dog Mom to Teddy the Golden Retriever – who has NOT been an easy dog. Steph is incredibly honest about her struggles with Teddy and all that she’s learned along the way. From how to select a dog trainer to motivating a dog who’s not interested in food, Steph shares invaluable insights.
Steph is so much fun to listen to and you can’t help but laugh at her adventures chasing Teddy through a sheep field in Wales, hoping he’s ok when he jumped off that cliff and becoming the Pied Piper of all the dogs in her neighborhood – except Teddy! – as she tried to lure him with a roast chicken.
Thank you for listening to the Believe in Dog Podcast and making 2022 our best year yet!
Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:
https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode61
Episode Sponsored By:
Hugs & Belly Rubs Dog Health Journal. Use Code: XMAS22 to save $2 before December 22.
https://www.hugsandbellyrubs.com/doghealthjournal
Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.
Monday Dec 05, 2022
Monday Dec 05, 2022
Susan Shahoda is a lifelong dog lover who has devoted much of the past 15 years to volunteering with Westside German Shepherd Rescue in Los Angeles, CA. But don’t let the name fool you – Westside rescues dogs of all shapes & sizes and adopts to families throughout the continental U.S. and Canada. In fact, Westside is celebrating 20 years and 20,000 dogs finding loving homes!
What should potential adopters look for in a rescue organization? Why are those adoption applications so long? How do rescues determine which dogs get chosen? And what do rescues really think about people who can’t keep their dogs anymore? Susan gives us a true behind-the-scenes view of running a rescue organization.
Susan also shares her thoughts on the unsung heroes of the animal welfare community, the surprising benefit of the Nextdoor App, the best & the hardest parts of rescue and what keeps her going even in the tough times.
We’ll also learn how Susan’s life has been touched by Laurel, a special needs German Shepherd Dog who suffers from permanent neurological damage after contracting Canine Distemper virus.
In the season of giving, your generosity is appreciated by organizations like Westside German Shepherd Rescue and your local animal shelter and rescue groups.
Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode60
Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.
Monday Nov 21, 2022
Monday Nov 21, 2022
Andrew Cotter is a lifelong dog lover and sports lover. You may recognize his name or voice from his career as a sports broadcaster where he's announced everything from Wimbledon to the Olympics. But since COVID-19, Andrew is better known as the Dog Dad to the internet’s most famous Labradors, Olive and Mabel.
You might imagine that when your career is a sports broadcaster and suddenly there’s a global pandemic and all sporting events are cancelled, that life may suddenly look different overnight. So the first Olive & Mabel video started as a joke for Andrew to poke fun at his situation – a play-by-play video of his dogs eating breakfast. And the world LOVED it and suddenly Olive & Mabel were going viral with millions of views, likes and re-tweets by celebrities. So Andrew kept making videos and kept going viral.
Andrew shares with us behind-the-scenes of making his favorite videos and the challenges of setting your expectations for non-professionally trained dogs to perform on command. And while Andrew just thought he was making some silly dog videos, the feedback he received from people all over the world who found moments of happiness from Olive & Mabel during COVID times was truly meaningful.
Andrew and I also talk about navigating fame, Hollywood and influencer opportunities as introvert in your 40s. Spoiler Alert: You won’t be seeing Olive and Mabel in any dog food commercials.
Andrew is the author of the hilarious and heartfelt books Olive, Mabel & Me and Dog Days: Life in Lockdown with Olive and Mabel.
You’ll also get to hear Andrew’s play-by-play of Olive and Mabel’s antics during our interview.
Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:
https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode59
Monday Nov 07, 2022
Monday Nov 07, 2022
I first started following Danny & Ron’s Rescue back in 2018 when I saw the documentary about them called Life in the Doghouse. So it was a complete joy to have the opportunity to speak with them about their new book Forever Home: How We Turned Our House into a Haven for Abandoned, Abused and Misunderstood Dogs - and Each Other.
Forever Home is such an honest and vulnerable share of the ups & downs that Danny and Ron have experienced - in life and in rescue.
I think so many Pet Parents will find a piece of themselves in Danny & Ron’s story as it’s a universal experience for our dogs to help us through everything from illnesses to grief.
Of course it’s not as universal of an experience to have 100+ dogs living in your house at any given time! After rescuing more than 600 dogs from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Danny & Ron formalized their long-standing rescue efforts into an official organization and have now gone on to find loving home for 14,000+ dogs.
But unlike many rescues which rely on foster homes or kennels to house adoptable dogs, Danny & Ron are unique in that all the dogs in their rescue live with them in their home.
From how they gain the trust of the most traumatized dogs to finding the best homes for their dogs, we learn what it means to be a Danny & Ron’s Dog. Danny & Ron share about the hardest part of running a rescue, how their lives changed after the documentary and all about the famous singer who has become a personal friend of theirs after learning about the amazing work of Danny & Ron’s Rescue. From Ukraine to Australia to Aruba, Danny & Ron also tell us about the people, causes and organizations around the world that they help support.
I can’t help but think that the world would be a better place if we had more Dannys and Rons in it.
Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:
https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode58
Monday Oct 24, 2022
How Billy Hoekman Became THE Dog Nutrition Guru
Monday Oct 24, 2022
Monday Oct 24, 2022
You might be surprised to learn that Billy Hoekman grew up without pets while eating take-out and fast food. Because today Billy is known for being THE Dog Nutrition Guru.
Billy’s life changed forever when an adorable pug named Lua caused Billy to ask the question: What’s the best thing for my dog to eat? And he’s been obsessed with answering that question for the past 15+ years.
As the Vice President of Nutrition and Communication for Green Juju, Billy is involved in formulation, product development, working with farmers, sales & marketing – and more. So you might be surprised to learn that he worked for free for 2 years to get his foot in the door of the pet food industry.
Billy and I also talk about misconceptions about the Amish, the #1 thing he wants Pet Parents to know about feeding their pets, and the special relationship he had with his friend and mentor, Jacqueline Hill (who recently passed away).
We’re also celebrating the 3rd anniversary of the Believe in Dog Podcast!
Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:
https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode57
Monday Oct 10, 2022
Science vs. Woo-Woo with Animal Communicator Lisa Tully
Monday Oct 10, 2022
Monday Oct 10, 2022
Lisa Tully has a passion for healing pets and Pet Parents – physically, mentally and emotionally.
When you hear that Lisa is an Animal Communicator, you might be surprised to learn that she has a degree in Science and used to work for a pharmaceutical company. But I believe that science and “woo-woo” aren’t mutually exclusive.
From Ireland to a wildlife sanctuary in the Amazon rainforest to living amongst the Tibetan monks in the Dalai Lama’s community, Lisa shares her world travels with us and the incredible experiences she’s had along the way.
We’ll hear how Lisa first learned she could communicate with animals, the most common reasons Pet Parents contact her and what she says when people don’t believe in her work.
Find Links, Show Notes & Photos at:
https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode56
Not Your Average Dog Mom Friend
I believe a dog can be a healer, a teacher and an inspiration. Topics can range from cutting edge veterinary research, to the grief of missing a dog that was an important part of our lives to the impact of poverty on pet ownership.
Join us as we explore all the ways that the love of our dogs can touch our lives.