Raise The Woof

Susan Elliot and Nicole Garza have seen just about everything working at an Animal Control in Waukegan. They have hearts of steel and though they do emotional work, they have made a difference in the lives of so many humans and animals. I was honored to volunteer with them a few times. We have some great stories to share. 

Jon Davis grew up with depression and anxiety. He realized that when he got a dog, he had reason to live during the tough times. Recently, he started The Empawthy Project.... "shining a light on the mental health benefits of pets." We did a live podcast in association with ATA Social Club, Real Dog Moms of Chicago, Rescue in Style and Dovetail Brewery. It was a good, real discussion about mental health and I am sure many of you will be glad people are brave enough to talk about their lives and be so open about the struggles. Thank you Jon. For more information:  www.empawthy.org.  Raise the Woof is presented by Fetch Pet Care. For more: fetchpetcare.com. 

The Hot Mess Express takes dogs that are left for dead. It has been a difficult journey only a few months in and the rescue stories that we have for these animals is remarkable. We give you an inside look at the new rescue collaboration between Lulu's Locker Rescue and Live Like Roo Foundation. CHOOOOO CHOOOO! All aboard. 

What is the best thing about podcasting? How do you know an adopter is solid? What is the most difficult part of rescue? I took a few questions before my vacation and they brought on some solid discussions....back to our regular schedule soon. 

“The dating app world is growing remarkably... 1/3 of marriages last year started with online dating. How are we going to create apps that truly make a match? That is what Dig does.” This app is simply brilliant and pairs people and their dogs to simply make a perfect match. Leigh Isaacson is the CEO and Co-Founder of Dig Dates and joins me for great conversation. Join us. Raise the Woof is presented by Fetch Pet Care Chicago. For more information: fetchpetcare.com

Sherry Mangold is the Director of Humane Education for Animal Protection of New Mexico. She is trying to stop cruelty, abuse, fighting by educating youth and it is working. She also has adopted 2 Galgos dogs and has turned them into amazing therapy dogs...they have become famous in NM! She is a great guest with a wealth of information. 

"I am pissed. I wanted to tell the story right." Yeray Lopez Portillo has seen some of the worst cases of dog abuse and disposal happening in Spain. The Galgos dogs. He has created an amazing documentary called "Yo Galgo"....please watch the trailer and check out this amazing documentary:https://www.facebook.com/yogalgo/ These are our dogs. This is our World. This should not be happening in this day and age.  

"If the dog sits beside the owner, he is done. If he runs and looks back at the owner, he is done." I have never had more moments in a podcast where my jaw was on the floor. Simply shocking what is going on with Galgos hunting dogs in Spain. It made me want to instantly help.  Travis Patenaude is at the forefront of rescuing these amazing dogs, who have one of the worst plights I have ever heard about. Give it a listen. To learn more: http://www.adoptagalgo.com/about/

"I suffer from depression and anxiety. There are so many things that pets help us get through. We don't talk about these issues and how much my dog has helped me. I really want to create awareness."    Jon Davis has created The Empathy Project, which "aims to highlight the mental health benefits of the relationship we have with pets, including through fostering and volunteering. So many people have been helped immensely by pets and we need to start talking about, both for our own benefit and to help others who have yet to experience it. Our mental health struggles are so often kept private and seen as a deficiency, but we can turn them into assets that help others."   This is so important and he was such a great guest! Our event is sold out, but look for more events soon. For more: https://www.facebook.com/empawthyproject/        

We did this one live on Facebook and I had an assist from Schipp. 

Joanna Konca broke down twice during this podcast. She feels real feelings and is not afraid to show them. Dogs will do that to you. She is a trainer and has an immense love for dogs from other countries. She also helped me get my start in this crazy rescue world. 

I thought I would tell the story of Roo and how Live Like Roo Foundation came to be. And on #GivingTuesday, what better way to honor our boy than to give him his own podcast. Check out our Giving RoosDay incentives. www.tinyurl.com/roosday

"I love doing this. I hate why we have to do it, but I love doing this for people." Laura Krill is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Assistant for Integrative Pet Care and the Vice President/Medial Case Manager for Live Like Roo Foundation. She has a LOT going on and while she juggles it all, she gives people going through one of the toughest times of their lives the support and encouragement they need

"When I am with him, I feel like he does the talking." Melissa Lipani has an amazing therapy dog, who has been battling cancer. It is heartbreaking, but she takes it all in stride and shares "Cappy" with the world to help remedy misperceptions of pit bulls. She works for Best Friends and has fostered over 100 dogs. She is a great human. 

Caragh from Wellness & Wags recently received her nation certification in canine massage. She helps Live Like Roo Foundation with their bucket list nights by giving dogs their massages in swanky hotels. She has a vast knowledge of a dog's body and what works for your dog. So much good info in this podcast. For more: info@wellnessandwags.com

Not all owner surrenders and supports are bad. Many people judge without knowing the full story. I have had a lot of incidents the past few weeks that spoke volumes about this very subject. We need to remain compassionate with people that do not have the same resources as the rest of us. 

What was I thinking going live and answering questions. HAAA! It all turned out well and I hope you enjoy it. A different way to do things! 

"We as humans are destroying the breed (pit bulls). These puppies that are born are not programmed to say "I am going to maul a kid." Formerly dubbed the "Pit Boss," Shorty Rossi has strong opinions about a breed that many want society to just accept. He has starred in TV and movies, but has a passion for pit bulls and has a rescue called Shorty's Pit Bull Rescue. He joined us at an event at Speakeasy Customs and Classics and gave us some insight on his unique life. 

"Introductions of a dog into their life change their life. A person may not have left their house or they thought blindness was the end of their life. Then we put a dog in their hands."  Rod Haneline, Chief Programs and Services Officer of Leader Dogs for the Blind has seen so many success stories with animals and their humans that went through the Leader Dog program. What he does is simply life-changing.