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A tiny Yorkie named Jazzy was so small she could “fit in a teacup,” and the people who handed her over warned she might not make it past a year. She made it to nine, and she did it with the kind of energy that makes you rethink what “a full life” really means. Terry joins me to tell Jazzy’s story, from the everyday sweetness of walks, treats, and sleeping curled under an arm to the sudden night everything changed and an emergency vet visit revealed there was no easy fix.

We talk honestly about pet loss, euthanasia, and the messy reality of pet grief: the shock, the waiting, and the quiet moments when a photo pops up and you’re right back there. Terry shares why their family waited about a year before bringing home another dog, and how pictures, costumes, and simple rituals became a form of dog memorial that kept Jazzy present without pretending it didn’t hurt. If you’re searching for coping with pet loss tools that feel real, this one is grounded in lived experience.

The story expands to the dogs who are still here today: a 19-year-old rescue with “walkabouts,” a Cavalier King Charles with major health expenses and a surprising obsession with America’s Funniest Home Videos, and a younger pup who brings new life into the pack. We also explore something many listeners wonder about but don’t always say out loud: dogs grieve too, and sometimes they search for a missing friend as if they’re still out there somewhere.

If this conversation helps you feel seen, subscribe, share it with someone who’s missing a pet, and leave a review so more grieving pet parents can find the show. What’s one small memory of your pet that still makes you smile?

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A big-hearted rescue sprinted out a front door and into Angela’s arms, and from that moment Oliver seemed to collect memories the way dogs collect sand: everywhere, all at once. We trade muddy dog-park chaos, driftwood trophies, and keys lost to the Atlantic for something deeper—how rituals stitch love into the everyday, and how those same rituals become lifelines when we face the unthinkable.

To Purchase the book, click on the link -> Furry Mortals: The Oliver Project

We walk through two very different goodbyes. Zack, the blue-eyed border collie who chose dignity to the last step, padding into the rainbow room on his own terms. Oliver’s path was harder. That fracture sparked Angela’s book, The Furry Mortals: The Oliver Project—part memoir, part field guide for compassionate endings and honest grief.

Along the way we share practical tools.  Most of all, we lean into radical self-awareness: decisions made with love are valid, whether you can stay in the room or need to step out. And because love rarely ends where a life does, we talk about Zander finding his spark again when Oswald—a black lab mix who literally ran into their path—joined the family, with Murphy the snowshoe cat grooming her pack as if to seal the bond.

If you’ve ever loved a pet and wrestled with the clock, this conversation offers language, courage, and a way forward. Listen, share it with someone who needs steady ground, and if it helps you breathe a little easier, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us the ritual that keeps your pet close.

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This episode is a reunion two decades in the making. Scott and I reconnected after 20 years, only to discover that our shared love for pets had shaped our lives in parallel ways. 

Scott grew up in a home where dogs weren’t just welcomed — they were drawn in. His parents bred Nordic dogs, strays wandered in like they belonged, and the yard was always alive with movement, personality, and unforgettable names like Thunder, Thor, and Pepsi. 

He also shares the tender story of losing Axle, the small dog who surprised him with a love so steady it helped him through pain, travel, and healing. Scott’s reflections remind us that every pet leaves a legacy — and that their joy stays with us long after they’re gone. 

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In this episode, I sit down with Derek from Southern California as he opens his heart about Piper — his running partner, his first “child,” and the soul who shaped his family long before his two kids arrived. Piper passed away on Christmas Eve 2025, leaving behind a depth of grief Derek never expected.

He shares stories of their long runs together, the joyful sprint to the finish they always raced, and the beach days where Piper would tease him with her favorite game: catch me if you can. And in one of the most moving moments, Derek describes Piper’s final breath — resting on his chest, exactly the way he had imagined their goodbye after fifteen years of love, loyalty, and life lived side by side.

This conversation is a reminder that when a pet becomes family, their absence echoes in every corner of our lives — and their memory becomes a compass for how we keep moving forward.

To order a copy of the book -> https://pawpads.pet/pawprints

And if you'd like to share your story send me an email: [email protected]

1. Purchase the Book that inspired the Podcast
2. Want to share your pets story on a future podcast?
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What happens when you interview someone who’s had dogs for 30+ years? You get belly laughs, tender moments, and at least one story that makes you say, “Only a dog could cause that.” Mic from Chicago brings all of it — the love, the loss, and the comedy — proving that our pets never really leave us. Their stories just get better with time. 

Purchase the book that inspired this podcast -> https://pawpads.pet/pawprints

Send me a comment, I would love to interview you and your family in telling your stories around the bond you have with your furkid(s).

1. Purchase the Book that inspired the Podcast
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In this touching episode, Dan welcomes Jean from Jefferson, Georgia, who opens her heart to share the story of the pets who shaped her life and the grief that followed their loss. Jean reflects on the joy, the routines, and the quiet moments that became cherished memories — and how losing her beloved companion changed her in ways she didn’t expect.

What makes Jean’s story especially powerful is the way her former employer recognized her grief and responded with empathy. She describes the moment someone at work truly saw her pain, offered support, and made space for her healing — a rare and meaningful example of what compassionate workplaces can look like.

This conversation is a reminder that pet grief is real, it’s valid, and it deserves acknowledgment. Jean’s honesty and warmth invite listeners to reflect on their own stories, their own losses, and the people who helped them through.

If Jean’s story resonates with you, consider sharing this episode with someone who might need it — and reach out if you’d like to share your own story on the show. Every pawprint matters. Every story matters.

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In this heartfelt first episode, host Dan Popovic introduces Every Pawprint. Every Story. — a podcast dedicated to honoring the deep bonds we share with our pets and the grief that follows when they’re gone. 

Dan shares his personal journey through pet loss and how writing his book became a healing process. He offers a glimpse into the five insights from 2025 that are shaping how we approach pet grief in 2026, beginning with the powerful recognition of pet loss as a legitimate mental health issue.

Link to download book -> https://pawpads.pet/pawprints

You’ll hear reflections from recent conversations with families navigating aging pets, stories shared by radio personalities, and the growing wave of social media tributes that show just how universal — and underacknowledged — this grief truly is.

This episode sets the tone for what’s to come: real stories from families, emotional honesty, and a community built around remembrance and healing.

Subscribe, share, and reach out if you’d like to be interviewed. Your story matters.

1. Purchase the Book that inspired the Podcast
2. Want to share your pets story on a future podcast?
   1. Send us a message, click on the following link -> Share