We’re joined by the Cinema Journalist, Toby Rose who is the founder of the FIDO Awards, which celebrates the roles of dogs in film.  The FIDOS 2025, staged today on February 23rd will unleash the winners of the best canine capers in cinemas at a special ceremony held at British Film Institute in London.

                                                                 
At its heart, the FIDOS (For Incredible Dogs On Screen) are more than an awards ceremony; they celebrate the powerful bond between dogs and humans, dedicated to making the world a more dog-friendly space, one paw at a time. As the sister ceremony of the famous Palm Dog Awards, held annually at the Cannes Film Festival, the FIDOS recognize the best onscreen dog performances over the past year. 

Nestling firmly between the BAFTAs and the Oscars, the event will, as always, be hosted by the founder of Palm Dog and FIDOS, Toby Rose. Rose says, “This year has been especially blessed with stand-out dog performances in films, as varied as Jean Claude in The Fall Guy, Pimpao the Jack Russell in I’m Still Here, and the Alsatian in Babygirl. The winners of FIDOS 2025 will be selected from the longest-ever longlist of contenders,” he continues.

“What we know already is that dogrisma will triumph in the battle for a FIDO and ultimately the grand prize: BFI Best in World.”

The FIDOS are awarded in five categories: Blockbuster Bowser, Comedy Canine, Rom Com Rover, Historical Hound, and Mutt Moment. Nominated films with four legged stars include Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, Babygirl, I’m Still Here and Deadpool & Wolverine. From the winners in these sections, an outstanding performance will be chosen and declared BFI Best in World. Also awarded is FiDogManitarian, in honour of those who celebrate the bond between canines and the human race.

The top dogs are chosen by a jury of top film journalists including Anna Smith from the Girls On Film podcast; Tim Robey of The Daily Telegraph; Rita Di Santo of FIPRESCI; Damon Wise of Deadline and author and programmer Kaleem Aftab.

Follow all the updates on Instagram

Follow Anna on:
https://annawebb.co.uk

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

Produced by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

https://podpeopleproductions.co.uk/

Music by Mike Hanson

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd @gruffpawtraits

Art work by https://jaijo.com

As it was Valentine's just the other day we thought we'd share again this episode from 2021.

Follow Anna on:
https://annawebb.co.uk

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

Produced by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

https://podpeopleproductions.co.uk/

 Music by Mike Hanson

 Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd @gruffpawtraits

Art work by https://jaijo.com

We’re joined by Esther Logue from Paleo Ridge talking about the company’s latest additions Paleo Puppy and Paleo Senior - both of which are industry firsts by containing Reishi Mushroom tincture along with a host of health boosting ingredients, not least the brand’s ethical and sustainably reared meats. We chat about why feeding a natural whole food unprocessed diet is peace of mind in a bowl as a way of boosting cellular function. Fulfilling a demand for a puppy choice, Paleo Puppy also contains added superfoods like wheatgrass and butternut squash, simply to add additional antioxidants  that can help a puppy’s rapid growth and cellular development.  The Paleo Senior is adapted with older dogs in mind with slightly less bone content and a slightly higher inclusion of Paleo Ridge’s superfood boost called Berry Good. Discussing medicinal mushrooms as a burgeoning area drawing on Traditional Chinese Medicine and the on going discovery of foods as being medicine. We touch on the microbiome, its role as triggering immune system function and why feeding whole foods naturally support the trillions of bacteria needed for a robust and diverse microbial colony.

Order your Paleo Puppy or Senior here.

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]

We’re joined by Catriona Lowry from The Hilltop Sanctuary in Ireland. Catriona gave up a career in fashion to dedicate her life to helping animals. Not just dogs, but pigs, donkeys, chickens and a lot of horses. In a country where there appears to be an abject negligence to the health and welfare on many animals, it was a Fortune Teller that predicted Catriona’s journey. Setting up the Hilltop Sanctuary has changed Catriona’s life, and made her realise the importance of helping creatures with no voice. Whilst a baptism of fire for her, this episode certainly highlights that some animals can indeed benefit from the luck of the Irish. We chat about her ongoing campaigns to fund this not for profit organisation, highlighting some terrible cases, but always with a smile on her face and a touch of lipstick. Tirelessly campaigning for Animal Welfare in Ireland, Catriona supports Dog Advocacy Ireland and is vehemently against the cruel puppy farming trade that earns the Irish Government  over 2 Million Euros in tax money annually!

Twitter: @LowryCatriona

thereluctantrescuer.com

We recommend a raw diet for you pet and believe the best place to start is 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]

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]

When we’re exploring why the New Year triggers thoughts of new interiors and maximising space.

We're joined by Gemma Glover, Business Development Director at The Pet Carpenter, talking about the family business that specialises in creating bespoke pet furniture that is tailored to the unique needs of any pet - dogs, cats, rabbits , even tortoises!

As a family business the team prides itself on taking an idea and turning it into a reality. Specialising in a new concept of the crate that delivers all the practicality in space saving solutions, perfected with craftsmanship and a love of dogs.

We discuss the myth of the crate as being restrictive and being the cause of much anxiety. We chat about a study conduced by Dogs Trust and The Royal Vet College that not only dispels such misconception, but also highlights that crate trained dogs are less likely to show symptoms of separation anxiety.

The Pet Carpenter offers uber stylish ,and integrated options that transform a crate into a bedroom concept that’s space saving, and designed just for your dog’s comfort and well-being.

For more information go to their website thepetcarpenter.co.uk or follow on Instagram

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]

We’re joined by Savita Nutan who is discussing her own educational organisation ‘Medicine without Cruelty, the aim of which is promoting non animal testing as animal testing is outdated, ineffective and needs to be stopped. The big question being why is it still going on?  Savita explains why the law is regulated by ASPA Animals (Scientific Procedures) and it licences the use of animals despite there being so much information highlighting that there are other ways! The obvious question is how can a rat’s metabolism be compared to a human's? And with the rise of Artificial Intelligence could it be the time to end the pointless suffering of animals in laboratories when technology could replace them.

For more information click here

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]

We’re joined by Interior Designer and TV Presenter, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, giving advice on top home improvement ideas transforming your home in 2025. We chat about Heat pumps as a an energy efficient way to heat our homes. We chat about why the New Year inspires interior changes and suggests opting for some colour and bold stripes. As a huge animal lover we chat about his cats and dogs, and why up-cycling can be beneficial to your budget and the health of our pets. Laurence is aware of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that can emit from pre-fab furniture, and why plenty of succulents, a fresh draft, natural light and air purifiers contribute to our positive wellbeing and that of our pets. 

Laurence urges everyone to checkout a Heat Pump  and get started on your energy efficient home journey, visit GOV.UK/heatpump to find out more.

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 dive into the archive where Anna is joined by Will Green MA, Executive MBA Programme at the University of Winchester and Sales and Marketing Director of Paleo Ridge. We discuss sustainability in the pet industry, focusing on the model adopted by Paleo Ridge as a raw food firm supplier, setting eco-standards in terms of making feeding raw not only ‘peace of mind for your dog', but also for the planet. In an age where Veganism is being suggested for dogs we discuss why ethical farming is needed to save the planet and maintain the bio-diversity without which the planet cannot thrive. And why of course dogs need to eat meat! Will explains the different aspects in Paleo Ridge’s production that offsets Co2, and why we shouldn’t consider dog ownership as contributing to global warming, but consider the offsets in Co2 that can be achieved simply with the the mantra: reuse, reduce and recycle. And never underestimate a dogs role as man’s best friend, helping to better our physical and mental health.

Instagram: @GoGreener12
Twitter: @Will_DP_Green

If you want to switch to a raw diet for your dog, you can't do better than Paleo Ridge. Find out more here and follow them on @paleoridge
Instagram: @Paleoridge
Twitter: @Paleoridge

Thank you to Pawable for their support and get 10% off your first order of collagen for your dog with the promo code ADOGSLIFE10. Just go to pawable.co.uk

In this dangerously hot weather be sure to keep your pooch cool with a wet coat or t shirt. Go to equafleece.co.uk for the best quality!

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]

We’re joined by Lizzie Charnock, Dog Matching Officer, at Wood Green Pets Charity, talking about Christmas and its impact on impulse puppy purchases that often lead to young adults being handed into the charity. We chat about the rise in abandonment since the pandemic, and why Wood Green’s service to match the right dog to a prospective owner is key. Since 2019, Channel 4’s The Dog House has been capturing hearts across the nation. We chat about the programme and why it's helped so many understand how the Wood Green teams turn dogs’ lives around, and the prospective owners whose lives are enriched by the power of the dog. Lizzie explains that this wildly successful series follows our four-legged friends’ search for their perfect match, and it’s always an emotional roller coaster. From heartbreaking backstories to happy endings, there’s never a dull moment. But behind every success story is a team of passionate people at Wood Green working to turn a pet’s life around. And, as a new series is unleashed, the charity and The Dog House’s production team are looking for candidates, people wanting to adopt a dog in 2025, and might make the grade to contribute to the show. If that might be you, please follow the link below to contact Five Miles Films.

Contact the show here or Channel Four or contact Wood Green direct

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]