Friends with Dogs Podcast

In this episode, we learn all about Wilbur, the French Bulldog who was elected mayor of Rabbit Hash, a small river town in Northern Kentucky. Wilbur spends his days visiting constituents and charming tourists who visit the town's famous general store. Tune in to find out about his future political ambitions, and how he is helping raise funds for animal charities.

In this episode, we speak with Michelle Holsinger, the co-founder of Florida-based Mutty Paws Rescue. Michelle tells the inspiring story of Khaleesi, a dog who was neglected, abused and nearly starved to death. Fortunately, Michelle and Mutty Paws rescued Khaleesi when she may have been only hours away from death. Find out how this small rescue organization saved Khaleesi's life and get an update on her current condition. 

In this episode, we speak with Vikki Smith, the inspirational leader of Edmond, Okla.-based rescue Fetch Fido a Flight. Every month, Vikki and her team charter flights to the Pacific Northwest and rescue more than 100 dogs from overcrowded Oklahoma shelters. Each flight costs nearly $20,000 and Vikki must fundraise that amount every month in order to save the lives of animals in danger of euthanasia. It's a wonderful story of a woman who saw a problem, refused to accept the status quo, and then worked diligently to find a solution. 

It was a splashing good time when a Lexington park turned its pools over to the dogs on the last day of the season. In this week's episode, we talk to attendees of the 2021 Doggie Paddle event, which raises needed funds for the @Lexington Humane Society while providing a wet and wonderful morning for hundreds of local dogs. 

Yes, we spend a lot of time-consuming dog-related social media content and then pass it off as “show prep.” The truth is we just like reading dog stories, looking at dog photos and watching dog videos. In this episode, we share some of our favorite dog-related social media accounts. Hope you will check them out and let us know your favorite pages to follow!https://www.facebook.com/bigfluffydogrescuehttps://twitter.com/dog_rateshttps://www.facebook.com/PuppiesBehindBarsOrganization https://www.instagram.com/rescuepetsofinstagram/https://www.facebook.com/thelaspca/ 

Many dog owners will confirm that July 4th fireworks can be terrifying for their furry friends. And some of us go to great lengths to distract our pups and keep them calm when all the big booms start. In this week's episode of the podcast, hear how one creative animal shelter staff enlists a team of volunteers to keep their adoptable dogs calm on July 4th – by reading books to them! It's a great story from our friends at the Kentucky Humane Society. We also share some tips to help you help your dog cope with Independence Day fireworks (or summertime thunderstorms). 

This week, we share the remarkable story of Baby Girl, who spent nearly seven years in an animal shelter before finally being adopted. Hear from the happy adopters who made Baby Girl part of their family, and from the shelter staffers who never gave up hope for finding her the perfect home. Thank you to the Winnie Berry Humane Society of Angelina County, Texas, for sharing Baby Girl's amazing and inspiring story.

What's better than attending a walk to benefit your local Humane Society? How about attending two walks for the dogs, on back-to-back days? The FWD team recently attended both the Lexington Humane Society Mutt Strut and the Kentucky Humane Society Waggin' Trail Walk. Tune in to hear from participants, staffers, volunteers and sponsors from both of these awesome events. Get an update on Ethan from Jeff Callaway of the Kentucky Humane Society and hear the story of Star, the sweet dog who is recovering from chemical burns thanks to the Lexington Humane Society team. (Spoiler alert: It's good news all around.)

Since 1994, GRRAND (Golden Retriever Rescue & Adoption of Needy Dogs) has found homes for thousands of Golden Retrievers in need. And amazingly, with the exception of two part-time kennel employees, GRRAND is run entirely by volunteers! In the latest FWD episode, we talk to GRRAND President Nina Scott, who talks about breed rescue, GRRAND's history, what's on the horizon, and how they find homes for up to 300 dogs each year with a virtually all-volunteer staff. And she even tells us her sweet story of being a foster fail. (Join the club, Nina!)

Ask animal shelter staffers what they are most thankful for and they probably won't hesitate before they say “our volunteers.” Typically understaffed, many shelters depend on a roster of dedicated, animal-loving helpers to exercise, train and socialize the many dogs in their care. As Volunteer Appreciation Month wraps up, this episode of the Friends With Dogs Podcast features a shelter volunteer spotlight. While there are plenty of ways to volunteer at your local animal shelter, this week we talk with Becky Johnson, who found a specific niche helping out at her local shelter. And over the years, she has put in nearly 7,000 hours walking dogs! Tune in to find out why volunteering is her passion, how it benefits the dogs, and how she has turned volunteer work into a family activity. To Becky and all the other volunteers who help out at local animal shelters, thank you!

What would you do if you woke up in the middle of the night and found a sick and injured dog inside your house? Well if you are the Jokinen family, you try to solve the mystery of how the dog got in your house, but you also decide to give her the loving home she has never had. Listen to Jack Jokinen tell Suzy's amazing rescue story, and find out how she has helped hundreds of other dogs find forever homes. 

Tune in for the second half of the story of Ethan – the dog who gained international attention when he was abandoned, starving, and hours from death, on the grounds of the Kentucky Humane Society in Louisville. Although his chances for survival were slim, thanks to the unrelenting efforts of a dedicated team at KHS – and the love and support of millions – Ethan's story has a happy ending. And his story is now inspiring others to help other dogs in need through support and advocacy for charities around the country. Tune in for more of our interview with Jeff Callaway of the Kentucky Humane Society. 

It was a story that gained international attention: a mistreated, starving dog hours away from death abandoned on the grounds of the Kentucky Humane Society in Louisville. His chances for survival were slim, but thanks to the unrelenting efforts of a dedicated team at KHS – and the love and support of millions – Ethan's story has a happy ending. In this episode, we hear this amazing dog's story told by the Kentucky Humane Society's Jeff Callaway, who has been by Ethan's side since the beginning.

Ever wish dogs from overcrowded shelters could find their way to other states where there is a waiting list of adopters? Thanks to a lot of passionate volunteers, it happens weekly – a relay rescue transport system that finds homes for hundreds of adoptable dogs a year. This week, Rick and Gina speak with Deanna Davis, who leads the rescue transport team at Kentucky Mutts Animal Rescue. Find out how these dedicated volunteers are investing a couple of weekend hours, a few gallons of gas, and a whole lot of love to help dogs find their forever homes.Website - http://www.kymutts.orgFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/KentuckyMutts

Owning a dog is no joke, but it can be a lot of fun! Just ask Joe Gatto, star of the hit television show “Impractical Jokers.” He is the alpha male of his pack of rescue dogs, the Gatto Pups, and his family champions the "adopt, don't shop" mentality. In this episode, he stops by to tell us about how his pups manage life with the Gatto family (and vice versa). If you want to learn more about the Gatto pups, Joe has written a book called "The Dogfather: My Love of Dogs, Desserts, and Growing Up Italian." We'll tell you how you can win an autographed hard copy of the book in this episode!Join us for a conversation with Joe and be sure to check out his website about his pups at www.gattopups.com 

Rick and Gina talk with Amy Kwiatkowski and April Arrington from Rescue Ranch, a non-profit animal welfare organization located in NC. The organization promotes humane education by focusing on rescuing on a fundamental level through hands-on learning and care for animals.  Rescue Ranch launched a foster/adoption program to rescue companion animals in shelters and give them a second chance at finding their forever home.Rescue Ranch was founded by Krissie Newman and NASCAR driver, Ryan Newman. Important Linkshttps://www.rescueranch.com/https://www.rescueranchadoptions.com/

If you've ever thought that you'd like to get involved in animal welfare, but you aren't sure how to start, you'll enjoy this week's guest. Dog Advocate Extraordinaire Reg Green has been channeling his love for dogs into supporting animal welfare organizations, and doing it in a variety of unique ways. From flying across the country to volunteer at a charity for chained and abused dogs to self-publishing books to raise money for shelters, Reg has done it all. At one point, he even found himself chained to a doghouse on the Capitol steps! Tune in to the podcast to hear from Reg, and find out how he is inspired daily by his dog Sarge. 

Rick and Gina talk with Beth Buster, founder of Louisville, KY-based charity My Dog Eats First. The organization provides food and vet care for companion animals of the homeless. https://mydogeatsfirst.org

In this episode, we talk with a retired K9 officer. Courtney spent seven years in the K9 division and gives us a peek into what motivates a police dog and exactly how sensitive those canine noses are!

Join Rick and Gina for conversations with friends who are doing amazing work to help dogs!In today's episode, we talk with Susan Malcomb, president of the Lexington (KY) Humane Society. Learn how volunteers are taking adoptable dogs out for Puppacinos and the special training programs LHS has to increase pit bull adoptions. https://www.lexingtonhumanesociety.org/