Raise The Woof

When you have been burned by a rescue, how do you jump back into the pool? Any advice for someone just starting in the rescue world?  Are you keeping Mac? Wow! You all brought the questions. Some a bit tough to answer, but I gave it my best! A longer podcast because I wanted to answer everyone that asked a question. Thank you for submitting so many great ones. 

Susan Russell, the Executive Director of Chicago Animal Care and Control and Heather Owen, Founder of One Tail at a Time animal rescue join me to discuss a plethora of topics including the flu, euthanasia, fostering and so much more. Things get a tad heated when we discuss why more women are immersed if rescue, but it is a great debate and one we would like to explore further. I enjoyed the live element of the broadcast and I think you will too. 

Author and Animal Advocate Arin Greenwood has a brand new book out called "Your Robot Dog Will Die." We discuss how the idea came about and all the parallels to the rescue world. It is a great read and she is a brilliant writer. Go snag your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Robot-Dog-Will-Die/dp/1616958391

When Stephanie Doris saw Nana, she knew she had to have her. She dropped everything and went and scooped her up. Nana quickly became an internet sensation after her ears were removed because of a very bad crop job. She is an amazing ambassador for the breed, as is her mom. 

Dana was my friend. She was a friend to so many. But especially to the animals. Her face lit up when she looked into the eyes of an animal. Cancer is awful. It took away a woman making a huge difference to sooo many. I will miss you Dana. So many will.    This is a replay of the podcast that I did with her a few months ago. I love to hear her voice and learn from her. Each of us can take a little something away from the legacy that she left. Her shoes can never ever be filled properly.

"For me, I think I may be their only shot of getting out (of the shelter) and that is what drives me. When you see them, how can you not try to help them?" Kristen Gerali, the Founder of ALIVE Rescue Chicago, has a passion for difficult dogs-deaf, feral, pregnant-she sees the best in them and works to give them a family of their own after some TLC. It is not easy, but to see her amazing stories is enough to give anyone hope. For those dogs that may not be able to be released into the real world, well they have a home for life with ALIVE.

Chihuahuas are their own special breed of dog and Colleen embraces them! She has taught me a ton. She brought me Agnes and Cheese and she is a great rescuer! 

People care about their pets more than ever and many want only the best care for them. So, how do you weed through all the options and decide what is best for you. Fetch Pet Care Chicago's Carolyn Alonzo and Fetch Naperville's Kim Zalinsky have built a brand that is working. 

There is SO much to talk about. Facebook algorithms, Animal "Welfare" League and so much more. Our State of the Rescue World address! 

"It is so important to go into the neighborhoods and listen to the them...especially the children. Listen to what they have been taught and what they do without thinking by habit and to try move them to a place that recognizes compassion, the need for love on both sides. We welcome Safe Humane Chicago’s President and Executive Director Cynthia Bathurst. I remember meeting her for the 1st time in 2012 and thinking, “damn. She is a badass.” It was great because she was one of the 1st people I met at Chicago Animal Control and it lead me to all the meaningful work they do in and out of the shelter and I ended up embracing SHC dogs. She is changing the world for the better and makes a huge impact in Chicago.

The pet business is booming...for good and for bad. I loved talking to Dana Dubriwny about it because she is really at the pulse of it with her dog-walking and pet-sitting business Chicago Pet Sitters. Leaving your pet in the care of someone else is stressful and she has created a business that helps ease worries, but it can also be very stressful for her. It was a great conversation, with a side of Richard Branson. 

"Those 4 issues are not breed-specific."   What Shannon Glenn from My Pitbull is Family does is simply necessary in this day and age. Unfortunately, many landlords and insurance agencies have preconceived notions about bully breeds and because of that, many families with amazing dogs have to surrender them to shelters. She has done AMAZING research and outreach and has been able to spread her message across the country. A message that will only improve the future of pets and their humans. 

hospice, special needs, seniors. Yes! Zoe Kharasch started Newman Nation in 2013 when the shelter told her she should "wait for the puppies to come in" when she inquired about a beat up, scraggly dog. She ended up saving him. Newman. From that day on, she made it her mission to save the ones no one else wanted.

1 day after we recorded this podcast, Hillary had to put down sweet Huey for internal bleeding. My heart broke for her. He was her everything. This podcast is still very relevant and we decided to air it as-is. Love you Hillary. So sorry "Do you love your pet?"  "Nutrition is not a crisis until it is. If you are not working to be healthy than you are a actively becoming unhealthy."   A dog's diet has proven time and again to derail illness and at times cure a dog. With a booming pet industry, it is time to look at a diet for many reasons. In October, shortly after our podcast Hillary Rosen got a cancer diagnosis for her dog Huey that put her life into spin cycle. She went on a rampage reading everything she could, which lead her to Billy from Answers Pet Food. In today's podcast, Billy joined Hillary and I to talk about how important a dog's diet REALLY is. I learned a ton....you will, too.    

Animals can be healed by touch. Denise has taught me techniques for my seniors and dogs with cancer that have made them feel better. I really believe in it. She has now expanded to help fearful dogs, injured dogs and has workshops to help pets and their owners. It is an amazing science. www.canisbodyworks.com for more information.

“We have a lot of joy at Young at Heart. It is all about the quality of time and not the quantity of time.” The toughest guest to get and possibly my favorite. Dawn Kemper is freaking awesome. Rescuing seniors is not easy and it can be heartbreaking at times. Tomorrow on Raise the Roof.

I get a TON of questions about fostering, so I decided to bring in someone who has fostered a wide variety of animals. Catherine Pilgrim was a great guest and she taught me a lot. If you are a foster or are thinking about fostering, it is a great listen.

The pet industry is booming and Catherine Crews, who started Canine Crews 8 years ago, is poised for even more success in the coming years. Her day care ALWAYS gives back to rescues and she is a delight. Hence, a successful business. Oh, and she is single...and ready to mingle. caninecrews.com