The holidays are here, and Barking Mad is leaning all the way into the cozy chaos. In this special seasonal episode, we explore the weird, wonderful, and unexpectedly fascinating ways animals show up in holiday traditions around the world, from reindeer with surprisingly complex biology to the ominous legend of Iceland’s Yule Cat, and plenty of pet-parent realities in between. Join us as we unpack curious animal facts, folklore, and festive science, and share more than a few laughs about what the holidays really look like when pets are involved. Wishing you and yours a very Barking Mad holiday!

Helpful Links

👁️ Learn more about the magical color-changing eyes of reindeer: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/colour-in-collection-reindeer-eye.html

🦛 Hear more about Gayla Peevey’s hippo-fueled success here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REd9wHlF_oQ

🐱 Read more about the Icelandic Yule Cat, or Jólakötturinn: https://www.npr.org/2023/12/23/1221454825/youve-heard-of-santa-maybe-even-krampus-but-what-about-the-child-eating-yule-cat

👹 Learn more about Krampus, “the original bad Santa:” https://www.history.com/articles/krampus-christmas-legend-origin

🐶 Read more about dogs’ double coats and how, ironically, they help keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/double-coated-dog-breeds/

🎁 Check out BSM Partners’ Holiday Pet Gift Guide! https://bsmpartners.net/insights/the-bsm-partners-holiday-pet-gift-guide-innovations-insights-and-must-haves/

Show Notes

00:00 – Inside the Episode

00:14 – Holiday Greetings from Jordan & Dr. Steph

01:18 – Cozy Fires, Family Traditions, and Pet Gift Rituals

05:42 – Reindeer Are Cool!

08:53 – Color-Changing Eyes and the Science Behind Rudolph’s Nose

13:11 – Winter Survival Strategies Across the Animal Kingdom

15:51 – Double-Coated Dogs: Warm in Winter, Cool in Summer

20:31 – The 12 Days of Christmas: Why Birds?

27:29 – A Hippopotamus? For Christmas?!

33:50 – Beware the Icelandic Yule Cat

37:50 – Cats & Christmas Trees: A Holiday Classic

42:50 – “Hygge” and The Science Behind Coziness

48:50 – Wrapping Up a Very Barking Mad Holiday