What happens when an animal loses the ability to walk?

For many, it could mean the end of adventures, independence, and the simple joy of chasing life wherever it leads. But for John Cox, it became a calling.

In this inspiring episode of Animals Unplugged, Greg Markelz and Mary Erlain sit down with John, founder of Ruck 9, a nonprofit dedicated to providing mobility carts and wheelchairs to animals who need them most. Together, they explore the stories behind the wheels, the lives transformed by second chances, and the powerful truth that a disability does not diminish an animal's spirit.

You'll hear about determination, resilience, compassion, and the remarkable bond between animals and the humans who refuse to give up on them. Because sometimes the greatest gift isn't fixing what's broken. It's helping someone keep moving forward.

Join us for a conversation that proves hope doesn't always arrive on four legs.
Sometimes... it rolls in.

Animals Unplugged: Real animal stories. Real human change.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/animals-unplugged--6799660/support.

Animals Unplugged is more than a podcast. It is a growing movement dedicated to giving animals a voice through story, music, and shared humanity.

If this episode moved you, the most powerful thing you can do is share it. Every new listener helps another voice be heard.

Because when we truly listen to animals, we do not just change their world…
We change ours.

What if your dog wasn’t just living in your home… but choosing it?

In Episode 4 of Animals Unplugged, Greg and Mary sit down with Matt Doyle to explore a surprisingly revealing question: If your dog was your real estate agent… what kind of house would they pick for you? Would it have more windows… or more moments?
A bigger yard… or a bigger life?
Fewer rooms… and more connection?
Because this isn’t really about square footage.
It’s about how you live inside the life you’ve built.

Through humor, insight, and those quiet truths animals seem to carry so effortlessly, this conversation turns a simple idea into something deeper:
Maybe your dog wouldn’t upgrade your house…
Maybe they’d redesign your priorities.

What our animals might be “saying” through their choices, their energy, and the way they experience the spaces we share. Because to them, a home isn’t about status… It’s about presence, safety, and love that shows up every day.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/animals-unplugged--6799660/support.

Animals Unplugged is more than a podcast. It is a growing movement dedicated to giving animals a voice through story, music, and shared humanity.

If this episode moved you, the most powerful thing you can do is share it. Every new listener helps another voice be heard.

Because when we truly listen to animals, we do not just change their world…
We change ours.

The Cats No One Was Coming For.

 Some animals wait longer than others to be seen. In Episode 3 of Animals Unplugged, Greg and Mary welcome back Carrie Reznicek, whose passion for animal rescue extends beyond dogs to a group often overlooked in shelters: the cats no one else is coming for.

Through her work with Forever Fortunate Felines, Carrie shares the stories behind rescuing cats that others pass by and why these forgotten lives deserve a second chance just as much as any other animal.

This episode shines a light on the quiet heroes who refuse to look away and the remarkable transformations that happen when compassion meets determination.

As always, CnGee the Superhero Dog brings a musical reminder that every animal’s story matters, especially the ones still waiting for someone to notice them. 🐾🎸

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/animals-unplugged--6799660/support.

Animals Unplugged is more than a podcast. It is a growing movement dedicated to giving animals a voice through story, music, and shared humanity.

If this episode moved you, the most powerful thing you can do is share it. Every new listener helps another voice be heard.

Because when we truly listen to animals, we do not just change their world…
We change ours.

What if saving one dog could help save a veteran too?

In "When Dogs Answer the Call", this powerful episode of Animals Unplugged, Greg and Mary explore an inspiring mission that transforms rescued dogs into life-changing service animals for veterans. 

Guests Carrie Reznicek of Fairway Mortgage and Michael Tellerino of K9s for Veterans share how rescue dogs are given a second chance through specialized training, becoming loyal partners who help veterans navigate the challenges of life after service. It’s a story of redemption on both ends of the leash. A dog once searching for a home becomes a hero for someone who served our country.

Sometimes the greatest rescues happen when two souls find each other at exactly the right moment. 🐾🎸

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/animals-unplugged--6799660/support.

Animals Unplugged is more than a podcast. It is a growing movement dedicated to giving animals a voice through story, music, and shared humanity.

If this episode moved you, the most powerful thing you can do is share it. Every new listener helps another voice be heard.

Because when we truly listen to animals, we do not just change their world…
We change ours.

In this debut episode, Greg and Mary share the story behind the mission that sparked Animals Unplugged.

What began as one song inspired by a rescue dog became a calling: give animals a voice powerful enough to be heard, felt, and acted upon.

Meet CnGee, the superhero dog whose music carries stories from the animal world… and PyrPaws/KittyClaws, guiding us closer to the hearts we are determined to protect.

This is more than an introduction.

It is the foundation of a movement built on compassion, storytelling, and the belief that when we truly hear animals, we cannot help but change their future.

If you have ever loved an animal, this is where your journey with us begins.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/animals-unplugged--6799660/support.

Animals Unplugged is more than a podcast. It is a growing movement dedicated to giving animals a voice through story, music, and shared humanity.

If this episode moved you, the most powerful thing you can do is share it. Every new listener helps another voice be heard.

Because when we truly listen to animals, we do not just change their world…
We change ours.