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Your dog doesn’t just live in your house. They live in your history. Gary joins us from Los Angeles to tell the story of Bella, a yellow Labrador retriever adopted through a rescue group that brings dogs from Seoul, Korea to the US. We talk about what you can and can’t know when you adopt a rescue dog, why some dogs arrive surprisingly well trained, and how trust gets built one quiet day at a time.

Then we go to the harder place that every pet parent eventually faces: aging, mobility loss, and grief. Gary shares what it’s like to love senior Labs through their final year, including the physical reality of carrying a big dog and the emotional whiplash of knowing you will outlive them. If you’ve ever said, “I can’t do that again,” you’ll feel seen and understood, and if you chose to adopt again anyway, you’ll recognize that mix of hope and fear.

All of that feeds into Gary’s novel Canine Custody, a dark romantic comedy about divorce and pet custody where both spouses demand full custody of their beloved dog, Betty. We dig into the book’s inspiration, the real-world trend of exes staying under the same roof because life is expensive, and the bold craft choice that makes the story hit harder: chapters told in first person by the wife, the husband, and the dog. We also talk about what pets sense during conflict, how anxiety can show up in behavior, and why unconditional love is a two-way street.

If you love dog rescue stories, Labrador retrievers, and honest conversations about relationships and responsibility, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share this episode with a fellow dog person, and leave a review with your take: who should get the dog when a relationship ends?

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A dog didn’t just comfort Marine veteran BJ Ganem, it gave him a reason to stay alive. After a devastating blast in Iraq took his left foot and ended his Marine Corps career, BJ found himself navigating phantom pain, grief, and a spiral of life stress that included divorce, bankruptcy, and the kind of isolation that can swallow anyone. He tells the story with zero polish and a lot of honesty: his bulldog Dozier had no special training, but the loyalty and responsibility of caring for that dog created just enough purpose to keep moving forward.

From there, we dig into why BJ believes the traditional service dog system is broken for most veterans. Waiting years and spending $35,000 to $50,000 for a highly trained dog might help a small slice of people, but it doesn’t scale, and it can miss the point. BJ makes the case that the real “medicine” is the relationship and the daily practice of training together. We talk dog ethics, reactive dogs, routines, and why treating dogs like medical devices is a dead-end mindset for both humans and animals.

BJ also walks us through Sierra Delta’s Life Buddy program, a veteran support nonprofit model that verifies veterans, builds community, helps them choose a local trainer and a training path, and then funds up to $3,500 to put the plan into action. It’s a practical approach to veteran mental health, dog training, and rebuilding agency, with room for everything from service dog skills to basic obedience to sports like agility and scent work.

Subscribe, share this with a veteran or dog person in your life, and leave a review if the conversation hits home. What’s one habit you and your dog could train together this week?

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3. All new, the first ever Pet Journal - start logging your memories with your Pet
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A deaf little dog named Horton changes everything and when Danya loses him in a tragedy, she doesn’t shut down. She builds a mission. Danya (known on LinkedIn and around town as the Chicago Dog Ambassador) joins us to share how heartbreak pushed her into animal rescue, fostering, and a bigger fight for animal welfare that goes far beyond feel-good adoption stories.

We talk about what rescue really looks like on the ground: pulling dogs from high-kill shelters, supporting underserved communities in rural Kentucky and the Appalachian region, and why spay and neuter programs are the only way to slow an overpopulation crisis we can’t “foster our way out of.” Danya breaks down what she’s learned through Starfish Animal Rescue and Mission Compassion Paw, plus why “skin in the game” at a municipal shelter changes your perspective fast.

Then we zoom in on the hope. Danya shares the joy of her own pack (Baxter, Lala, Baby Barry, and a cat who thinks he’s a dog), the way fostering teaches patience, and the moments that keep her going even after tough outcomes. We also get into therapy dogs and the human-animal bond, including what she witnesses through Canine Therapy Corps and why research around autism support and animal-assisted therapy feels so promising.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you could foster, volunteer, or help your local shelter but felt nervous about getting attached, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves dogs, and leave a review with one small action you’re willing to take this month.

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3. All new, the first ever Pet Journal - start logging your memories with your Pet
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A dog tied up overnight in a Milwaukee park becomes the spark for everything that follows. We sit down with Gracie, a rescue volunteer and proud “dog and cat mom” with a full house: three dogs and six cats, all with wildly different backstories and needs. Her heart dog, Marley, is a blue-nosed pit bull she rescues after a Facebook post leads her to a neglected pup locked away and underfed. That one choice turns into a lifelong mission.

From there, we trace the path from first-time rescuer to hands-on advocate, including a late drive to Chicago Animal Control to pull a dog off the euthanasia list that quickly turns into saving three. Gracie shares what fostering really looks like, why some animals “pick you,” and how patience and structure matter when you’re rebuilding trust, especially with a tiny chihuahua like Gladys who needs time to decompress after being abandoned.

We also make space for the cats: a Bengal with big personality, trapped kittens who get a second chance, and special-needs pets like Sully, a diabetic one-eyed cat, plus Watson, a three-legged survivor who learns to jump again. Gracie then breaks down the work of Chain Dogs MKE, a Milwaukee animal rescue and community resource focused on keeping pets with families through food support, low-cost vaccines, spay and neuter access, welfare checks, dog houses, straw changes, and safer tethering solutions.

If you care about pet adoption, fostering, pit bull rescue, community cat programs, and practical ways to reduce shelter intake, this conversation delivers hope and real tactics. Subscribe for more stories, share this with an animal lover, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

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3. All new, the first ever Pet Journal - start logging your memories with your Pet
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A rescue Australian Shepherd named Seven is “running for president,” and his campaign stickers get laughs fast but the heart of this conversation goes much deeper. We sit down with author and longtime therapy dog handler Susan Hartzler to talk about the dogs who carried her through different seasons of life, from Blondie to Baldwin to her current pack, including Rosie and Paige Turner. Along the way, we get real about what it’s like to love a senior dog whose spirit is still bright even as the body slows down, and why end of life decisions can feel murky even when people swear “you’ll know.”

Susan opens the door on therapy dog work, including what she’s learned after years of visits and why the best placement depends on the dog. Some dogs shut down in hospitals, while others come alive in schools, especially around special needs students who respond to calm, steady presence. We also talk training, temperament, and the idea that animal assisted therapy is a true team effort between dog and handler, not a solo performance by a “perfect” dog.

The conversation turns powerful when Susan shares the story behind her book “I’m Not Single, I Have a Dog,” including how Blondie helped her draw a hard line in an abusive relationship. We discuss the cycle of violence, the painful reality that pets can be used as leverage, and why pet friendly support options matter. We close with the mental health benefits so many of us feel with pets: stress relief, routine, laughter, and the reset that comes from a simple walk. Subscribe for more stories about the human animal bond, share this episode with a fellow dog person, and leave a review with one thing your pet has taught you.

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3. All new, the first ever Pet Journal - start logging your memories with your Pet
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A puppy trails behind strangers in the rain, doubles back, and decides she’s staying. That single moment kicks off a wide-ranging conversation with Anka from Soul Touched by Dogs about what rescue dogs, street dogs, and the human animal bond really look like when you live it day to day, not just in highlight reels.

We talk about Ada, the steady “Miss Ada” who curls up under the desk and somehow makes everyone adore her, and Leia, a Spanish Mastiff whose calm presence flatly contradicts the scary breed stereotypes people love to repeat. Along the way, we get honest about the practical stuff many dog owners wrestle with: why big dogs change travel plans, why some dogs never relax in certain environments, and how a move to quieter space can reveal a completely different dog inside the same body.

We also make room for the parts that matter most and hurt the most: pet loss, the strange timing of goodbye, and the way grief and gratitude can sit in the same room. Anka shares how these dogs shaped her into a more assertive advocate and why she believes the biggest mindset shift is seeing dogs as teachers, not projects. If you’re searching for grounded dog training insights, rescue dog support, sniff walk benefits, or a more nuanced approach to canine behavior, this listen will meet you there.

Subscribe for more conversations about life with pets, share this with a friend who loves dogs, and leave a review with the biggest lesson your pet has taught you.

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3. All new, the first ever Pet Journal - start logging your memories with your Pet
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A Ziploc bag opens and two little dogs come running because it can only mean one thing: cheese. That sweet detail is where this conversation starts, and it’s also why pet loss hurts so much. I’m Dan Popovic, and I sit down with Jean from Jefferson, Georgia to talk about the everyday rituals that turn a dog into family and what happens when that love has nowhere obvious to land after goodbye. 

Jean shares the story behind her “F” named crew, the quirks that make Frankie and Farah unforgettable, and why choosing a breed that fits your life can be an act of long-term care. Then we move into the hard moments: Fiona’s sudden decline in 2021, the heartbreak of COVID-era curbside vet policies, and the shock of being told there was nothing that could be done. We also talk about Flower’s slower health decline and how different kinds of loss create different kinds of grief. 

We spend time on what helps: compassionate workplaces, letting yourself grieve without performing “being okay,” and building a dog memorial that gives love a physical place to live. If you’ve been searching for pet grief support, coping with pet loss, or ways to honor your dog’s memory, you’ll hear honest guidance and the kind of comfort that comes from being understood. Subscribe, share this with someone who misses a pet, and leave a review with one small ritual you use to remember them.

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3. All new, the first ever Pet Journal - start logging your memories with your Pet
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I wrote this song from the bottom of my heart to thank everyone who has been a guest on my podcast and trusted me with their stories. My hope is that this song brings a smile to your face, keeps those special memories close, and adds a little light to your day.

Please help me share this message. Music has a unique way of preserving memories and creating meaningful connections. Just like our pets, it helps build bonds that stay with us for a lifetime. Who knows? Maybe a well-known artist will discover these lyrics and help spread the joy and awareness of the important role pets play in our lives.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the song. Please leave a comment, share it with others, and let me know what it means to you. Your support helps keep this movement growing and celebrates the incredible impact pets have on our lives.

1. Purchase the Book that inspired the Podcast
2. Want to share your pets story on a future podcast?  
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3. All new, the first ever Pet Journal - start logging your memories with your Pet
   1. Click -> Pet Journal

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A dog’s leash can be more than a daily chore. It can be a lifeline back to routine, movement, and the kind of quiet focus that anxiety and depression try to steal.

We sit down with Dave, a psychologist in private practice (trained in school psychology) who works with teens, college students, and young adults navigating ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, trauma, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. We start with the real stuff at home: two “furkids,” their wildly different personalities, and how training is often less about fixing dogs and more about teaching humans how to set everyone up for success. Along the way we get into rescue stories, music inspired pet names, and the small rituals that make a big difference, like short neighborhood walks, backyard sprints, and enrichment tools that help dogs (and people) settle.

Then the conversation widens into mental health. Dave shares a powerful example of a young adult who was severely depressed and stuck at home until rescuing an animal created responsibility, structure, pride, and a reason to leave the house. We also unpack the messy debate around emotional support animals vs service animals, and why the most important question is often functional: does this help someone do life better without creating chaos for everyone else? We close with a prevention mindset that applies to both therapy and pet care, plus why pets can be an underrated antidote to today’s loneliness epidemic.

Subscribe for more conversations like this, share this with a friend who loves animals, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.

1. Purchase the Book that inspired the Podcast
2. Want to share your pets story on a future podcast?  
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3. All new, the first ever Pet Journal - start logging your memories with your Pet
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Some stories are so specific they become universal, and that’s what happens when Jeff starts talking about Charlie. Jeff works in finance, lives in New Jersey, and still describes a simple routine, walking his golden retriever every morning, as the thread that helped hold him together through clinical depression and severe anxiety. When your brain is loud and your world feels small, a dog’s quiet presence can be the difference between spiraling and taking one more step.

We get into Jeff’s full pet history, from childhood dogs and cats to the losses that still sting, and then we focus on how Charlie became his “soul dog” during recovery after a mental health crisis. Jeff shares what Charlie does when she senses he’s low, how play creates real moments of relief, and why dogs are natural teachers of mindfulness because they live in the present. If you care about mental health recovery, men’s mental health, and the everyday habits that make healing possible, this conversation stays grounded and honest.

We also talk about community: The Real’s monthly walks, posting them on LinkedIn, and how showing up consistently can help you find your people. Add in Golden Retriever Fest at the Jersey Shore, dog park friendships, and Charlie’s hilarious refusal to give the ball back, and you’ve got an episode that mixes laughter with something deeper and useful. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a nudge to get outside, and leave a review with your own “pet saved me” story.

1. Purchase the Book that inspired the Podcast
2. Want to share your pets story on a future podcast?  
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3. All new, the first ever Pet Journal - start logging your memories with your Pet
   1. Click -> Pet Journal