What really drives someone to choose a specific breed? And what happens when that desire bumps into reality?

In this heartfelt episode, Amy chats with speaker and leadership coach Laurie Hall about her journey from planning to buy a purebred to ultimately rescuing not one, but two shelter dogs. Together, they unpack the emotions, myths, and eye-opening moments that shaped Laurie’s shift from breed shopping to adoption.

You’ll hear about everything from grief and letting go of expectations to learning what makes a dog truly the right fit. This is a must-listen for anyone navigating their own pet decision—or judging someone else’s.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• Why wanting a certain breed doesn’t make you a bad person
• How grief, timing, and lifestyle can reshape your vision of the “perfect” dog
• What rescue groups wish more adopters knew before bringing home a pet

Shoutouts in this episode:

Starlight Outreach and Rescue
https://starlightoutreachandrescue.org

SAVE Rescue Coalition
https://saverescue.org

P.S. You’ll hear us refer to the show as Starlight Pet Talk—that’s what we called it before we fully embraced the fur, mess, and mayhem. Don’t worry, you’re in the right place!

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Pet parenting is tough, but we give you pet advice and real pet parenting solutions for the daily issues you’re facing. Each week we share pet cost hacks and tips for pet care on a budget, along with smart ways to save money on pet care and pet food savings that really work. If you’re stressed about vet bills, conflicting pet nutrition advice, or cat behavior problems, you’ll get practical support right away.

You'll hear expert pet advice on dog training and managing pet behavior, cat care insights, pet care advice, pet food safety tips, and strategies to keep multi-pet homes calm. We also cover pet nutrition advice, stress-free vet visits, home cleaning with pets, and simple shifts that help you protect your wallet without sacrificing your pet’s wellbeing.

Follow so you can stop chasing your tail and start enjoying life with your pets.

Contact: [email protected] ©Ⓟ 2025 Amy Castro

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