On the Dogwatch

On this episode we talk with Josh Wolfe of Wolfe Vintage Watches, who is a largely self-taught horologist who restores watches, mostly from the American giant Hamilton. We speak with Josh about how he got into watches, why he is fascinated with Hamilton, and how he goes about his work.

One of the more dramatic uses of dogs is in searches for human remains. Today On the Dogwatch we have the great pleasure of speaking with Cat Warren, who has experiences in both training cadaver dogs and also in writing about the field of human remains detection using dogs. We discuss aspects of the research that Cat did for her book What the Dog Knows, the process of using dogs to detect remains, the sensitivity of dog noses, and how they are being used currently for archeological purposes. 

What happens when you put together a taproom and restaurant with an indoor/outdoor dog park? You get a new kind of venue for dogs and owners, and today On the Dogwatch we get to visit with Sam Carter, one of the co-owners of Unleashed Hounds and Hops in Minneapolis which is just such a place. We have the opportunity to discuss the genesis of Unleashed, the opportunities and challenges of merging these two types of businesses, and the satisfaction of providing a place for people to gather. We also make sure to discuss what happens when the dogs steal the food.

Most times when we talk about a business starting in someone’s backyard or shed, we are speaking figuratively. But like so many things at ColsenKeane Leather Goods & Provisions, things are literal, and that is just what happened. Today On Dogwatch we are very fortunate to be able to talk with Scott Hofert, ColsenKeane’s founder and head leathersmith about topics from their origin story to the details of their bags, that they describe as overbuilt, intentional, and one for a lifetime.

At the end of the episode, Scott has provided a special discount code for Dogwatch listeners!

On this very special episode of the Dogwatch we have the opportunity to visit with the Trinidadian-Canadian songwriter and author Anslem Douglas. We discuss his early musical development and influences, the writing and meaning of the song “Who Let the Dogs Out,” as well as his recent album and writing projects. There is no better introduction than music, so we start this episode with Anslem Douglas’s track “2 Days.”

On this episode of the Dogwatch talk with James Costa and learn about the role of domesticated organisms, like dogs, in the development of Darwin’s theory of natural selection. We range from Down House in England to the Galapagos and discuss how these organisms affected Darwin’s thinking.

See Jim's books:
Darwin's Backyard
The Annotated Origin
Wallace, Darwin, and the Origin of Species
The Other Insect Societies

For Darwin and dogs, see the Darwin Correspondence Project.

Quotation in podcast introduction from:

“I most heartily subscribe to what you say about the qualities of Dogs: I have one whom I love with all my heart.” (1871)

Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 13889,” accessed on 9 November 2021, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-13889.xml

On this episode of the Dogwatch we visit with Chris Elfering, the creator of the Lochby company, which creates fine notebooks and accessories from waxed canvas and fountain pen friendly paper.

Starting points for Lochby are the Field Journal, and the Pilot Prera pen.

Use dogwatch10 at checkout for a discount!

Chris recommends three other pens on the show as starters:
Pilot Metropolitan
Lamy Safari
TWSBI Eco

Today On the Dogwatch we turn our attention to Salukis, a fascinating breed of dogs from North Africa and the Middle East. There is no one better to guide us on a quest to understand these dogs than Brian Duggan, who has been a breeder and judge for these dogs for decades. Our story touches on fascinating historical subjects like the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb, Lawrence of Arabia, as well as enlightens us on diverse aspects of aspects of these incredible animals.

You can find more in his book Saluki: The Desert Hound and the English Travelers Who Brought it to the West at your local bookseller, and on his personal website.

For a chance to win a knife from the FINCH Knife Company and other prizes, leave a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and then send an email to [email protected] to confirm your entry. Once we hit 100 review we’ll have the drawing!

On this episode of the Dogwatch, we talk with Spencer Marquardt, a co-owner and knife designer at the Finch Knife Company. We have the pleasure of discussing the inspiration for Finch knives, what makes them unique, the materials they use, and the overall process of developing a new knife. We also have a chance to hear about how Finch knives incorporate design elements of watches including a sapphire crystal and lumed logo.

Today On the Dogwatch we have the pleasure of talking with Antonio Centeno, a former member of the 3rd Battalion 1st Marines out of Camp Pendleton, who you may know better as the founder of the website and Youtube channel Real Men Real Style, as well as other business ventures. 

In this episode, Antonio discusses the green military notebook he kept as a Marine Officer, how he used it in one direction to keep track of daily activities, troop movements, casualties, and then turned it over and in the reverse direction documented things like his finances, and notes to help him determine if he should get married. In good Antonio style, his journal generates discussion not only about notebooks, but also a range of other subjects including Indiana Jones, management, the Eisenhower Matrix, and the evolution of sharks.