Believe in Dog

This one is personal.

My own dog Penny has been dealing with a chronic health issue for the past 6 months. In May, she was prescribed a common ear medication by our vet. A few days later I noticed that Penny wasn’t responding to things normally, like not barking at the mailman and not greeting me at the front door.  I realized Penny wasn’t hearing properly. Apparently in a tiny percentage of dogs, this ear medication causes an “ototoxicity” reaction that causes hearing loss that's hopefully only temporary. This was totally unexpected and I’m having a lot of Dog Mom guilt.

This experience has me curious about communicating and living with a deaf dog, so I reached out to Christina Lee of Deaf Dogs Rock.

Deaf dogs hear with their hearts.

In 2010, Christina Lee and her husband were contacted by a friend who worked the local animal shelter where Christina volunteered. There was a tiny 8-week-old white boxer puppy who had been found abandoned.  The puppy was deaf. The shelter hoped Christina’s family would adopt the dog because they knew he would have a safe and loving environment. Christina and her husband, Chris, took the leap and Nitro joined their family.

While researching how to best care for a deaf dog, Christina and Chris didn’t find a lot of information. Looking for guidance, they quickly got Nitro into training classes and he excelled. A local news story highlighted Nitro’s training progress and the story went viral.  Suddenly Christina was being contacted by people all over the U.S. who had questions about caring for a deaf dog. And Deaf Dogs Rock was born.

Christina & I discuss:

• How Nitro became an ambassador for deaf dogs and his exciting life

Transcript available:

A transcript of this episode is available for download here.

Find Deaf Dogs Rock online:

Website: https://deafdogsrock.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/deafdogsrock/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deafdogsrock/

Links Discussed:

• Beginning Sign Training with Alisha McGraw

Deaf Dogs Rock Training Video Library (including Savannah who signs while training)

Deaf Dog Rescue of America

Amanda & Winston of Dog Mom Days

Long line leashes on Amazon. Give your dog room to explore while keeping them (and everyone around you) safe.

Let's Connect:

Find photos of Christina, her family, Nitro’s adorable smushy face & more at:

Facebook: @believeindogpodcast

Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Join:

Join the Pandemic Pets Daily Gratitude Challenge! Share one photo, video or moment each day that you are grateful for with your pets during these challenging times. Special free gift coming soon for group members.

Di's Story:

A brindle pit bull named Snorkle with an underbite and a lust for life changed Di’s world forever. Di & I discuss everything from growing up with “outside dogs” to the life-changing effect your “heart dog” has on your life.  Through Snorkle, Di was introduced to dog training and eventually left her corporate job to run her training business full-time.

Di believes in bonding and connecting with your dog through training and Di’s specialty is as a trick dog trainer. Di’s dogs do everything from wave to nursing home patients to fetching a beer. You can even train with Di in her online trick training classes launched in response to the COVID-19 quarantine.

Di & I also discuss how many pit bull dog owners feel a duty to have well-behaved dogs to avoid judgment and stereotypes.

Di and her dogs participate in many difference activities and Di shares her experiences: volunteering with an humane education program in Baltimore City, having your dog freeze during a rally obedience competition, how Di and her mom make therapy dog visits together, what it’s like to have your dog live on QVC and the challenging distractions she encountered when shooting a top-secret national ad campaign that’s coming soon.

Find Di & Snorkle's Way:

Join Di's online trick training classes at https://www.snorkleswayadaptivedogtraining.com/

Snorkle's Way Facebook

Snorkle's Way Instagram

The Scuddle Bunch on Instagram

Links Discussed:

Pets Together, virtually bringing together pets and people to reduce social isolation and loneliness

Project Mickey, a program working with children to build positive attitudes towards animals in a safe and empathetic space

Wags for Hope, a therapy pet organization in Frederick, MD

Do More With Your Dog, the world’s leading trick dog program

Find out more about Rally Obedience

Let's Connect:

Episode 13 photo gallery and more!

Facebook: @believeindogpodcast

Facebook Group: Pandemic Pets Gratitude Challenge

Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast

Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

I found out about Pittie Clothing Co. as I was researching for Episode 11 with Sarah Lauch & Live Like Roo Foundation. I love their bright, fun patterns. As a pit bull owner, I know how difficult it can be to find cute clothes that properly fit your dog.

Erin Crowley founded Pittie Clothing Co. so she could finally have matching pajamas with her dog. But after having experienced negative public reactions to her own lovable pit bull dog, Erin’s greater mission is to help pit bull dogs look more approachable and defeat stereotypes.

Erin & I discuss:

• Her childhood experiences with pets;

Links discussed:

Live Like Roo Foundation

Chicago SociaBulls

Find Pittie Clothing Co. online:

Web: https://pittieclothing.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pittieclothingcompany/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pittieclothing/

Let's Connect:

Facebook: @believeindogpodcast

Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Sarah Lauch was already a lifelong animal lover and an active shelter and rescue volunteer when she met the dog that changed her life. Roo (shelter name Cisco) was an owner surrender to Chicago’s open admission animal shelter due to his trouble urinating. Unfortunately, Roo’s health issue was caused by a terminal cancer diagnosis.

Sarah decided to give Roo the best possible life for all his remaining days. Roo’s Bucket List and Sarah’s #LiveLikeRoo went viral and was even featured on Access Hollywood.

After Roo passed away, Sarah started sending out care packages to other families facing a cancer diagnosis in their pet, which featured Roo’s favorite things. These efforts grew into the Live Like Roo Foundation.

Today, the Live Like Roo Foundation provides care packages, financial support and emotional support to families facing a cancer diagnosis in their pet.

Sarah and I discuss:

• Her childhood menagerie of animals;

More about the Live Like Roo Foundation:

Website: https://livelikeroo.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiveLikeRoo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livelikeroofoundation/

Donate: https://livelikeroo.org/donate

Let's Connect:

Find photos of Sarah & Roo and more at:

Facebook: @believeindogpodcast

Support this podcast, please subscribe and leave a rating or review.

Have you ever struggled with your dog’s health?  Or with getting a proper diagnosis for your dog? Have you ever felt like your veterinarian wasn’t listening? Or felt pressured by your vet to make a decision that you didn’t agree with or couldn’t afford?  I’ve been there.

On a beautiful spring morning at the end of April 2014, my Lucy collapsed on our walk around the neighborhood. I struggled to get my 60 lb pit bull girl home as she kept falling over after walking a few steps at a time. But then an hour later, she seemed back to normal. And she was fine for a few more days, but then she collapsed again. What was wrong with my girl?

I’ve learned many lessons as a Dog Mom and today I’m sharing with you: 8 lessons I learned from my dog having a mystery illness. I learned these lessons the hard way, so hopefully you won’t have to.

8 Lessons Learned:

1. You know your dog better than anyone. If you think something is wrong, weird or unusual with your dog’s health, behavior or appearance, trust yourself.

Links Discussed:

Understanding your dog's blood work. This is the best link I have found to explain what is being measured, the normal ranges and what these indicate about your dog's health.

https://www.caninecancer.com/lab-values

Please note: I am not a veterinarian and am not giving medical advice. This is information based on my personal experience as a Dog Mom.

Let's Connect:

Have you ever struggled to get a proper diagnosis for your dog?

Facebook: @believeindogpodcast

If you are enjoying this podcast, please subscribe and leave a rating or review.

Zazie Todd did not grow up with pets, while on her way to becoming an accomplished social psychologist. When she & her husband adopted 2 dogs within 6 weeks from their local humane society, Zazie used her psychology and research background to make sure she was doing the “right” things for her dogs. As she began looking into the burgeoning field of canine science and what we are learning about dogs, Zazie shared her findings by starting her blog, Companion Animal Psychology.

If you’ve ever wondered if your dog is as happy as you hope, or if you are making the right decisions for your dog, Zazie shares all that she’s learned in her new book Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy, which comes out Tuesday, March 10.

Zazie and I discuss:

• Her background and how her dogs Ghost and Bodger joined her family;

I also give you 5 of my favorite takeaways from the book. When you order your copy of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy, make sure you find the 3-page Checklist for a Happy Dog. You can even cross-reference each checklist item with the location in the book where this topic was discussed. While you may already be doing many of these but, there are a few that surprised me!

Order the book:

When your book/ebook is delivered, share a photo in your IG stories, and tag @believe_in_dog_podcast and @zazietodd.

Links discussed:

Find Zazie online:

Let's Connect:

Jen’s lifelong love of animals and work experience in the nonprofit world have combined to create a meaningful career in animal sheltering. Jen became the Executive Director of the HSHC in August 2015 and every year since 2016, the shelter has achieved a 90%+ live release rate.

Jen and I discuss:

• Her background and how her work and volunteer experiences led her to the world of animal sheltering;

Links discussed:

• Visit Humane Society of Harford County
  

Please note:

Let’s Connect:

Facebook @believeindogpodcast

Instagram @believe_in_dog_podcast

NEW Email! [email protected]

Liz’s Story – Tovi’s Gift

If you’ve ever lost a dog you loved, a dog that changed your life, your heart & soul dog, you may find a piece of yourself in Liz’s story.

Special thanks to Mindy of Hunter & Harvest Apothecary from Episode 2 for introducing me to Liz.

I start this episode sharing about losing our Lucy (Episode 1) and bonding with my girl, Penny.

Liz & Tovi had an amazing life together for 12+ years. In early 2017, Tovi’s health took an unexpected turn and a few weeks later, Liz was saying her final goodbye to Tovi. As Liz tried to navigate life without Tovi, she thought adopting a new dog would help her feel better. But she had a very complicated emotional experience after impulsively adopting her new pup, Mille. Liz struggled to bond with the unexpectedly anxious and fearful Millie and Liz felt a range of emotions from guilt to resentment. Liz is so open and honest about her emotional journey.

Through Tovi’s loss, Liz found the courage to pursue her childhood dream of writing. Using her background in psychology, Liz is writing about her own experience, as well as interviewing others about their experiences with pet loss or adopting a pet after loss.

Liz and I discuss:

• Why it’s difficult for her to talk about her childhood family dog;

Find Liz online:

Website: www.pettherapynotes.com

Be a part of Liz's work:

If you or someone you know has a story about pet loss to share, please contact Liz through her Pet Therapy Notes website. Liz is particularly looking to interview people who have experienced:

• a pet that was lost or stolen;

Links we discussed:

Meghan Daum's The Gift of a Great Dog

Let's Connect. 

You can find photos of Liz, Tovi and Millie on my Facebook and Instagram. If this episode resonated with you, let me know.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/believeindogpodcast/

If you are enjoying this podcast, please subscribe and leave a rating or review.

Annie’s Story – Compassion in Action with Charm City Companions

Happy New Year! Happy New Decade! Today I share a brief reflection on how my volunteer work in the community with B-More Dog has helped me become a happier person than I was 10 years ago by releasing judgment and having compassion for others. I also explain some of the Baltimore-specific references that Annie & I discuss.

At the start of Episode 3 with Michelle Serocki, I gave a little bit of background on some of Humane Society of the U.S. programs to help dog owners in underserved communities. HSUS’s former End Dogfighting program morphed into what is now known as Pets For Life. The Pets For Life program helps to address the lack of resources pet owners experience in underserved communities by providing free veterinary care, supplies, services and information.

Our guest today, Annie Pruitt of Charm City Companions (“CCC”), literally wrote the book on the Pets For Life program. Annie worked for more than 20 years in the field of communications and market research. When her company was hired by the Humane Society of the U.S. to help create the Pets For Life campaign, Annie’s life changed forever.

Through her own experiences, it became so clear to Annie that the benefits of the human-animal bond reach beyond someone’s socio-economic status. Annie now runs Charm City Companions full-time. Her days are spent doing door-to-door community outreach in East Baltimore neighborhoods that are also known for high rates of gun violence.

Annie and I discuss:

• How supporting pets is also creating healthier communities;

To end, I “geek out” about a book I read that affected how I think about poverty, “Scarcity, the New Science of Having Less and How it Defines Our Lives.” This “Malcolm Gladwell-style” read helps us correlate how a busy person’s lack of time, or dieter’s lack of will power, can affect decision-making, similar to a poverty mindset.

Find Charm City Companions online:

Links talked about:

• HSUS Pets For Life

Let’s connect. You can find photos of Annie, her dog Poly and her work with Charm City Companions at:

Facebook @believeindogpodcast

Happy Holidays!

In Part 2 of John’s Story, we discuss:

• The biggest challenge John faces as a dog trainer (Hint: we walk on 2 legs);

Takeaway Training Tips:

• #1 Most Important Thing when training your dog = consistency;

 Dog Training Resources from John:

Book: On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas

Find an IACP Dog Trainer

IACP Videos

Canine Human Relationship Institute

*Please note: This episode does have a few instances of NSFW (or children) language.*

Find John online:

Listen to the Why I’m Single podcast, hosted by John’s girlfriend, Amy:

Let’s connect. You can find photos of John, Amy, Hexie & Hammer on my Facebook and Instagram.