A Dog's Life with Anna Webb

This episode is powered by Antinol. We're super proud to be collaborating with them and you can enjoy at 10% discount on your purchase by using our promocode ANNAWEBB. Remember - you're supporting A Dog's Life by supporting our proud sponsor!

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

This week we’re joined by Cam Wimble aka The Dog Nutritionist, talking about his journey into the field of nutrition through his passion for dogs and their health. He chats about his range of products and supplements as well as desperately missing having a dog of his own.  Ultimately its a conversation about : “You are what you eat, and so is your dog!”

Find out more here or follow on Instragram

This episode is powered by Antinol. We're super proud to be collaborating with them and you can enjoy at 10% discount on your purchase by usin...

Judging from the reaction this episode received, Katrina's return in 2025 to talk about all things poodles was your favourite!

Visit Katrinasweb.com

Thank you to the good people at Antinol. We're super proud to be collaborating with them and you can enjoy at 10% discount on your purchase by using our promocode ANNAWEBB. Remember - you're supporting A Dog's Life by supporting our proud sponsor!

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

...

We’re joined by Blue Cross Vet, Paul Manktelow, talking about how to keep your dog safe this Christmas.  We chat about why despite being super vigilant, every year many dogs become a veterinary statistic. It's estimated that 10 per cent of Britain's dogs see a vet over the festive season.  Paul highlights the main toxic foods from raisins, dark ‘posh’ chocolate, poinsettias, decorations, wrapping paper, sellotape, cooked turkey bones, and onions, not to mention the stresses  of visitors and over excitement if your dog isn’t used to busy households.  Christmas is hard to imagine from a dog’s point of view...

When once upon a time the term dog-friendly hadn’t been invented as we know it today!

That’s why it was brilliant to chat with Photographer, Jackie Richards, about her book: Dogs in the Workplace.

For over 13 years Jackie has capture dogs and their people in all sorts of different workplaces: from garages, butcher’s shops, cinemas, offices, hairdressers, nightclubs, antique shops and the list goes on.

The book captures the relationship between many different breeds and their owners in many different situations.

The common thread is the bond that’s convey...

‘Alright Pet’! That’s the hugely successful podcast by BBC Broadcaster, Anne-Marie Wallace who joins me on A Dog’s Life to chat about her passion for all animals, especially retired Greyhounds. Anne -Marie broadcasts on BBC Radio Ulster and BBC NI and launched Alright Pet that airs on BBC Sounds and is about to start its seventh series. Co-hosted by specialist Vet, Rob Adams, together they chat to famous pet owners and celebrate the bond we have with our pets. Beginning with dogs and cats, the podcast soon diversified to cover all animals. We chat about the real life sto...

This week we're joined by film Director, Heidi Ewing, of Loki Films , chatting about Folktales the latest release. When modern life becomes too loud, a group of teens escape to the Arctic wilderness for an unconventional gap year. Guided by patient teachers and a pack of Alaskan huskies, they learn resilience and form meaningful connections with nature, animals, and one another. Set in northern Norway close to the Russian border, Folktales follows the journey of some teenagers on a’gap’ year at a traditional folk high school. Navigating the challenges of the remote environment, they must rely on themselves, each...

This week we're joined by Bio-Archeologist, Dr Carly Ameen, who has been part of a team studying the  emergence and diversification of dog morphology. Looking at the remarkable difference in over 600 dog’s skulls from as far back as 11,000 years ago, the team discovered a huge variety of skull shapes and sizes. This proves that dogs were very different from wolves at this point in time. But the missing link as to when wolves became dogs is still unclear. But this research confirms it was more than 11,000 years ago! The variety of skull shapes in what is generically termed a...

This week we're joined by Solicitor, Ben Evans from Co-Op Legal Services who is talking about why lawyers are recommending that couples think about a ‘Pet-Nup’ agreement when taking on a pup. With 42% of all marriages in the UK ending in divorce, it’s not uncommon for the dog to be caught up in the break up.

Ben explains he has seen dogs used in ‘psychological warfare‘ in acrimonious circumstances.Apart from being very costly to take the custody case to the courts, this stress and negative emotion oftentimes does not have the welfare of the dog in mind.<...

This week we’re  joined by Esther Logue, Content and Communications Manager at Paleo Ridge, catching up on the latest developments at one of the UK’s fastest growing raw food brands.

We chat about the huge expansion of the raw feeding sector in the last decade and how the company has doubled in size in the last five years to adapt to this growing demand from an expanding customer base.  

Announcing  the firm’s  new semi-automated production facility, which is a huge investment that underpins the brand’s long-term co...

This week Anna chats to the ‘House Plant Doctor, Joe Bagley, on the huge benefits of bringing house plants into our homes, adding that important Vitamin G - for green!

More than a third (36%) of people say they miss the greenery outdoors during autumn and winter, while 65% spend more time inside and as little as 5% of people go outside for leisure multiple times a day between the months of November and February, according to new research by the Plants & Flowers Foundation Holland.

Similarly dogs have more limited time to enjoy day...

This week Anna is chuffed to have chatted to Journalist and Author, Sophia Money-Coutts, about her new book - The Year of the Dog.

It’s the funniest, most heart warming ‘memoir’ of bringing ‘Dennis’ - the Parsons Russell Terrier pup into her life just over a year ago. Approaching a landmark birthday, it’s the roller coaster journey of how he has changed Sophia’s life for the better!

We discuss how the thought is that raising a puppy is simple: feed them, walk them, love them. Right? Wrong!!

Sophia was armed with Pinterest...

In this classic episode (and Anna's personal favourite) the eminent biologist and author of Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home talks to Anna about the science behind our pets' 'sixth sense'.

Thank you to the good people at Antinol. We're super proud to be collaborating with them and you can enjoy at 10% discount on your purchase by using our promocode ANNAWEBB. Remember - you're supporting A Dog's Life by supporting our proud sponsor!

If you want to switch to a raw diet for your dog, you can't do better than Paleo Ridge...

We’re joined by Dr Nick Thompson talking about the integrative principle, based on a holistic viewpoint where different modalities including diet, acupuncture, herbs, homeopathy, red light therapy and physical therapies combine to offer a tool kit to help the natural healing process, whilst keeping your pet’s body burden to a minimum. We discuss the building blocks of species appropriate nutrition and the confusion in the market with so many pet foods brands, that it's no wonder ‘pet parents' get confused! Being a huge advocate for feeding a raw, balanced and complete diet, Dr Nick explains why, in a worl...

We’re joined by Lisbet Stuer-Lauridsen and Amber Synnott from Cloud 9 Vets who have launched a service dedicated to offering  at home  euthanasia for all pets, but mainly dogs and cats. They conducted a survey recently that revealed that two thirds of pet owners had no idea that it was possible to help your pet cross to the rainbow bridge at home.  Cloud 9 Vets operates as a national network of vet practices that service all the main hubs around the UK. These practices have been cherry picked by Amber and Lisbet as upholding the best practice for compassion and care...

In this classic episode from the archive, we’re joined by Dr Paul Koudounaris talking about his book ‘Faithful until Death’. As a first in terms of investigating Pet Cemeteries all around the world, Paul admits this was a labour of love of 11 years. Revealing the history of pet ownership as in the late Victorian era industrialisation meant more folk moved into cities, creating a new kind of pet husbandry, which included giving them a ’good’ death. Paul explores Cemeteries, and tombs from as far afield as Thailand, across Europe, in the UK and across the USA. We chat about the...

In this classic episode, Anna talks to Chocolatier, Paul A. Young in his small shop in Camden Passage, Islington, London. As well as the UK's leading maker of fine chocolate, Paul is an author and more importantly proud dad to Billy, a minature Dachshund. Chocolate is obviously bad for dogs but not for Pet Parents. Paul and Anna sample some of his treats and talk about how he needs to keep 'his work' away from Billy.

Order Paul's new book The Joy of Chocolate or any of his delights here or follow on Instagram

Thank...

We’re joined by Author Grace Olson who is talking about her latest series of children’s book about her sheep. These are sheep that have turned into therapists and work alongside Grace in helping people. Complementing Grace’s horses that have for many years been offering intuitive comfort and healing to Grace’s human clients.  We talk about how sheep have different personalities and are all individuals like dogs or cats, and how her flock of six have taken Grace on an emotional journey too. Famous for being regular contributors on the acclaimed TV show The Yorkshire Vet , Grace’s s...

This week we’re joined by Jason Cortis who facilitates courses for Blue Cross and works directly with police forces. Dog-related incidents reported to police have risen sharply, up from 30,500 in 2023 to over 32,500 in 2024, with the broader category of dogs being out of control, including injuries to people, adding another 23,000 cases annually.

Meanwhile, NHS figures show an 88% increase in hospital attendances for dog injuries over the last 15 years, and research suggests one in four people will be bitten in their lifetime.

The stark figures reinforce an urgent need for intervention, with the charity Blue Cross te...

Thank you to the good people at Antinol. We're super proud to be collaborating with them and you can enjoy at 10% discount on your purchase by using our promocode ANNAWEBB. Remember - you're supporting A Dog's Life by supporting our proud sponsor!

If you want to switch to a raw diet for your dog, you can't do better than Paleo Ridge. Find out more here and follow them on @paleoridge

Instagram: @Paleoridge

In this dangerously hot weather be sure to keep your pooch cool with a wet coat or t shirt. Go to...

This week Anna chats to Olga Jones who is talking about how her passion for training her own dogs, English Springer Spaniel, Bonnie and Simba, her Border Collie. Passionate about training tricks, Olga began competing in Canine Freestyle seven years ago, and with a strings of wins, competing at Crufts and more. Away from competitions, Olga’s dogs have been signed up for a host of TV appearances, photo-shoots and even playing a role in Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro at the Royal Opera House. Olga has always been interested in the Guinness Book of Records and talks about the...

In today’s episode we’re digging into puppy sales online and the founders of a new verification app called Pet Proov. Following a tragic experience Kate Margolis teamed up with Garry Clarke to invent a new system that can verify a breeder online to offer peace of mind that you won’t be scammed. Along with their aim to stop unscrupulous breeding, profits and scamming, Pet Proov helps re-homing centres verify their adopters. The technology can help in verify dog sitters, walkers, trainers and the whole sector that’s currently lacking in regulation.

We’re also joined by...

This week we dig into the archive for this classic episode where Anna is joined by Will Green MA, Executive MBA Programme at the University of Winchester and Sales and Marketing Director of Paleo Ridge. We discuss sustainability in the pet industry, focusing on the model adopted by Paleo Ridge as a raw food firm supplier, setting eco-standards in terms of making feeding raw not only ‘peace of mind for your dog', but also for the planet. In an age where Veganism is being suggested for dogs we discuss why ethical farming is needed to save the planet and ma...

Katrina returns to talk about all things poodles! Visit Katrinasweb.com

Thank you to the good people at Antinol. We're super proud to be collaborating with them and you can enjoy at 10% discount on your purchase by using our promocode ANNAWEBB. Remember - you're supporting A Dog's Life by supporting our proud sponsor!

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

To advertise...

This week we talk to singer-songwriter and animal lover, Skip Ewing, all the way from his ranch in Wyoming, USA. We talk about his free-roaming dogs, horses, and his new song 'Road Dog.'

Listen to Skip here and follow on @skipewing

Thank you to the good people at Antinol. We're super proud to be collaborating with them and you can enjoy at 10% discount on your purchase by using our promocode ANNAWEBB. Remember - you're supporting A Dog's Life by supporting our proud sponsor!

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk<...

When we’re talking about manners and in-dining etiquette with King Charles III former butler, Grant Harrold. As Dine Out week draws to a close , Grant explains why he is passionate about reviving dining etiquette and that involves dogs too! With the rise of ‘dog-friendly’, canny entrepreneurs are catering for our four-legged friends, but this means etiquette for our pooches too. Grant offers a gentle reminder that table manners aren’t about snobbery, they are about connection, confidence, and class. Offering a guide to modern etiquette blends tradition with tact, it’s food for thought that dogs need to learn mann...

This week we’re joined by Dog Behaviourist, Ross McCarthy from the Cambridge Institute of Dog Training and Behaviour (CIDBT). Ross has over 25 years experience of working with dogs nationwide and is London based. We chat about the old days when we met as being Ambassadors for the  raw food company, Natural Instinct.  We discuss why 70% of Britain’s dogs are currently suffering from anxiety, why the rescues are now literally bursting, and why dogs are facing euthanasia through no fault of their own, just from a lack of appropriate training and understanding. We focus on the positives of how ‘t...

We’re joined by Lucy Eldred from Canine Partners talking  about the urgent need for funding and volunteers! 

Canine Partners trains assistance dogs for people living with physical disabilities and is making an urgent appeal for Puppy Training volunteers, as a sustained decline in volunteering since the pandemic poses a real risk to its ability to meet growing demand for life-changing partnerships which empower individuals with greater independence, security, and confidence.

Because of overwhelming demand, due to rising costs and a decline in donations and volunteers, Canine Partners has been forced to make...

We’re joined by Tyler Whitnall, a passionate conservationist who presents TV series One Zoo Three and is a zookeeper at Hertfordshire Zoo where he grew up alongside his two brothers, we chat about  the history of this family run Hertfordshire based Zoo, and its sister Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent.  Discussing the challenges of keeping the animals cool in a heatwave and how Ocado donates ‘wonky’ fruit and vegetables or dented cans to the Zoo. Thanks to Ocado’s food  ‘bank’ donation, the Zoo saves over £30,000.00 a year on food bills ,  so far allowing over £400K to be channelled into co...

This week we’re joined by Cathryn Michon- film-maker, actor, comic and nationally best selling author. Cathryn is the only American woman screenwriter with two films released globally in 2019 (A Dog’s Way Home and A Dog’s Journey - the sequel to A Dog’s Purpose).

In her latest book, I’m Still Here: A Dog’s Purpose Forever, Cathryn takes the theme of A Dog’s Journey, which explores the idea of reincarnation, and eternal love, underlining that a dog’s purpose is to look after their human forever.

The book is not sad, is not abou...

This week we're joined by singer-songwriter and dog lover, Nick Celino, talking about his new music and his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Charlie, who is the latest in the line of previous doggies, Tino, Billy, and Prince.

Check out Nick's music on Spotify.

And this week is the first in our new partnership with the good people at Antinol. We're super proud to be collaborating with them and you can enjoy at 10% discount on your purchase by using our promocode ANNAWEBB.

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music...

Our Archive Wellness season continues, again focusing on the Microbiome. Anna is joined by CEO of Ingenious Probiotics about what represents an explosion in the science of healthy bacteria.  We discuss probiotics in an external environment rather than an internal one. Based on our knowledge, albeit recent and expanding, we understand the vital role of probiotics as balancing bacteria in our microbiome. Joe discusses how we can use probiotics as a cleaning product to kill pathogens indoors with out adding chemicals. Too many chemicals in the home environment can make your indoor environment 100 times more toxic than outdoors. The i...

Carol Hughes is back for part two of her chat about the Microbiom as our archive wellness season continues. Carol’s journey began being commissioned by the Welsh Government to research plant compounds, in particular natural occurring steroids. Carol explains how this naturally moved into researching animals microbiomes as part of her parent company Phytorigins. It was this research that brought Carol into focusing on the Microbiome. With technology advancing particularly with Artificial Intelligence. We discuss how working with leaders in the field at Aberystwyth University, how her team has conducted the first in-depth observation of different ‘biomes: cats, hors...

As we continue our Wellness season we bring you another classic from the archive when we’re joined by Carol Hughes talking about the Microbiome. Carol’s journey began being commissioned by the Welsh Government  to research plant compounds in particular natural occurring steroids. Carol explains how this naturally moved into researching animals microbiomes as part of her parent company Phytorigins. We discuss how science namely Artificial Intelligence has moved forwards combined with working with leaders in the field at Aberystwyth University, how her team has conducted the first in-depth observation of different ‘biomes: cats, horses and of course dogs. W...

Our archive wellness season continues with this classic episode where Anna is joined by Dr Nick Thompson, known as the Holistic Vet. We chat about vaccines, but also about minimising chemicals in your home. Science proves that indoor environments can be 100 times more toxic than outdoors. With this in mind Dr Nick talks about his experience using ‘probiotic therapy’. We chat about his experience with his own dogs in terms of Dental Care and with Dog Dental Month upcoming, it's a timely reminder that tooth brushing is not always the full proof answer in dogs or indeed humans. This why...

We kick off our wellness season with this classic from the Dog's Life Archive. Dr Lise Hansen talks about the benefits of the Titre Test.

Order Lise's book:
https://www.hubbleandhattie.com/shop/HH5415/

And follow her on:
@alternativevet

Find out more about Earth Animal and order your No Hide Wholesome Chews today! Tell them Anna sent you!
https://www.earthanimal.com/our-products/uk-no-hide-natural-treats

Follow Anna on:
https://annawebb.co.uk

Music by Mike Hanson
Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd @gruffpawtraits<...

As we continue our short literary season, we replay one of our favourite shows: Anna's chat with Dr Zazie Todd - CompanionAnimal Psychology -  talking about her book Purr. In our conversation on cats , the lack of science on their behaviour (compared to dogs), she recount several hilarious anecdotes on Gremlin, which will make you realise why she named him Gremlin, the lengths he went for to help Molly when she was poorly, and why Gremlin was quite a cat for someone’s first feline! He is so missed, but we hope is he is reunited with Molly across tha...

As our Literary season continues, in this classic episode from the archive, children’s author, Jane Elson, joins Anna to discuss why animals, especially dogs, feature in her books. Dyslexic herself, Jane writes for those with reading difficulties, highlighting how animals - dogs in particular - help children in so many ways, not least in learning to read out loud. In her multi award winning ‘Moon Dog’ , she depicts the  horrors of the puppy farming trade. Raising awareness for the next generation of dog owners, she worked with the charity All Dogs Matter to convey the horrific details, and the eff...

As we continue our Literary season, Anna talks to best selling author, Marika Cobbold, in this classic episode from the archive about her latest novel, On Hampstead Heath, where a small dog, Gillie, plays a central role in driving the plot. Gillie is based on her own dog, Gilbert, who was stolen and later found dead in another part of London in 2019.

Find out more about Marika here

Or follow her on Twitter on @Marikacobbold

Get your copy of On Hampstead Heath

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk<...

To launch our Literary Season, we revisit our chat with author Simon Garfield about his book Dog's Best Friend, from January 2020.

If you want to move your dog to a raw diet or even switch brands we wholly recommend Paleo Ridge

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

To advertise on or sponsor A Dog's Life email: info@theloniouspunkproductions.com

To mark the start of flea season we bring you this classic episode from the archive. Vet and Environmental campaigner, Andrew Prentis is also  a ‘fellow’ at Imperial College. He is amongst the team of scientists that have advised pet owners to be more sparing in their use of toxic flea and tic treatments, warning that they are entering watercourses and damage aquatic ecosystems. Reviewing 160 scientific papers on the impact on aquatic ecosystems of imidacloprid, a pesticide used in 138 pet treatments sold in the UK. They found that “one monthly flea treatment for a large dog contains enough imidacloprid to kill...

When we’re chatting to Dom Burke, Behaviour Officer at Dogs Trust about the Charity’s  advice for dog owners wanting to travel safely and responsibly on trains with their dogs. 

New research, from Trainline, has found 11% of people in the UK now travel to work with their four-legged friend, rising to 20% among Gen Z. Reasons for this include relaxed attitudes towards dogs in workplaces, the high cost of dog care, and the rise of hybrid working.

Two-thirds of people say their dog dictates their travel habits. Almost a quarter (24%) of people now make daily journe...

This week we’re discussing dysplasia in dogs with Orthopedic surgeon Gordon Maclellan. He is highlighting the Pupscan project which has studied whether dysplasia is congenital or caused by environmental factors.  The research studying over 70 breeds , hundreds of litters suggests in line with ground breaking studies in Sweden that the evidence reveals that there is no genetic influence on dysplasia in dogs as has already been confirmed in people.

For more information click here.

Follow Anna on:
https://annawebb.co.uk

We encourage you to feed your dog raw and beli...

I’m chatting to Beverley Cuddy, editor of Dogs Today Magazine and Patron of the Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance. Pet Detective, Wayne May, Police Liaison officer for Dogs Lost, about these worrying statistics and that clearly the legacy of dog theft and the thousands of tragic cases that peaked in 2021 with 2,760 dogs stolen with barely 19% of dogs ever being reunited with their families.

The Pet Abduction Act in May 2024 has clearly played a positive impact, resulting in a 21% decrease in thefts. But the fear and the horror stories of theft have left their legacy.

De...

This week Anna pops back briefly from this year's Crufts in Birmingham to update Mike who couldn't make it up there himself (again!)

It's all sold out but for next year or more information click here

Follow Anna on:
https://annawebb.co.uk

We encourage you to feed your dog raw and believe Paleo Ridge is the best place to start!

Produced by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

https://podpeopleproductions.co.uk/

Music by Mike Hanson

Cov...

This week Anna chats about one of her favourite subjects - Bone Broth!

She's joined by Dan Gulliver and Danny Smith from Axels Elixir , talking about their journey to bringing their brand to market.

Aware of Bone Broth’s enormous health benefits from a young age, Dan was determined to bring up his Mastiff called Axel on the best natural whole food diet which would include Bone Broth.

We chat about how Dan made so much broth that he ended up giving it away to friends and family for their dogs. Receiving positive un...

We’re joined by the Cinema Journalist, Toby Rose who is the founder of the FIDO Awards, which celebrates the roles of dogs in film.  The FIDOS 2025, staged today on February 23rd will unleash the winners of the best canine capers in cinemas at a special ceremony held at British Film Institute in London.

                                                                 
At its heart, the FIDOS (For Incredible Dogs On Screen) are more than an awards ceremony; they celebrate the powerful bond between dogs and humans, dedicated to making the world a more dog-friendly space, one paw at a time. As the sister ceremony of the famous Palm Dog Awar...

As it was Valentine's just the other day we thought we'd share again this episode from 2021.

Follow Anna on:
https://annawebb.co.uk

We encourage you to feed your dog raw and believe Paleo Ridge is the best place to start!

Produced by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

https://podpeopleproductions.co.uk/

 Music by Mike Hanson

 Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd @gruffpawtraits

Art work by https://jaijo.com

We’re joined by Esther Logue from Paleo Ridge talking about the company’s latest additions Paleo Puppy and Paleo Senior - both of which are industry firsts by containing Reishi Mushroom tincture along with a host of health boosting ingredients, not least the brand’s ethical and sustainably reared meats. We chat about why feeding a natural whole food unprocessed diet is peace of mind in a bowl as a way of boosting cellular function. Fulfilling a demand for a puppy choice, Paleo Puppy also contains added superfoods like wheatgrass and butternut squash, simply to add additional antioxidants  that ca...

We’re joined by Catriona Lowry from The Hilltop Sanctuary in Ireland. Catriona gave up a career in fashion to dedicate her life to helping animals. Not just dogs, but pigs, donkeys, chickens and a lot of horses. In a country where there appears to be an abject negligence to the health and welfare on many animals, it was a Fortune Teller that predicted Catriona’s journey. Setting up the Hilltop Sanctuary has changed Catriona’s life, and made her realise the importance of helping creatures with no voice. Whilst a baptism of fire for her, this episode certainly highli...

We’re joined by award winning Animal Physiotherapist, Donna Wills (RVN, PgCert A Physical, MIRVAP(VP), discussing her book, The Best Goodbye, which is a true story of love and farewell. Written as a life tribute to her dog, Logan, a rescued Border Collie, Donna talks about why it was so emotional to write but cathartic at the same time. It is a book about Logan and Donna’s special journey together, like a journey that all dog owners experience, but for Donna Logan was her ‘heart’ dog.  Having been her constant companion through relationships, her marriage, and the birth of...

When we’re exploring why the New Year triggers thoughts of new interiors and maximising space.

We're joined by Gemma Glover, Business Development Director at The Pet Carpenter, talking about the family business that specialises in creating bespoke pet furniture that is tailored to the unique needs of any pet - dogs, cats, rabbits , even tortoises!

As a family business the team prides itself on taking an idea and turning it into a reality. Specialising in a new concept of the crate that delivers all the practicality in space saving solutions, perfected with craftsmanship and a...

We’re joined by Savita Nutan who is discussing her own educational organisation ‘Medicine without Cruelty, the aim of which is promoting non animal testing as animal testing is outdated, ineffective and needs to be stopped. The big question being why is it still going on?  Savita explains why the law is regulated by ASPA Animals (Scientific Procedures) and it licences the use of animals despite there being so much information highlighting that there are other ways! The obvious question is how can a rat’s metabolism be compared to a human's? And with the rise of Artificial Intelligence could i...

We’re joined by Interior Designer and TV Presenter, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, giving advice on top home improvement ideas transforming your home in 2025. We chat about Heat pumps as a an energy efficient way to heat our homes. We chat about why the New Year inspires interior changes and suggests opting for some colour and bold stripes. As a huge animal lover we chat about his cats and dogs, and why up-cycling can be beneficial to your budget and the health of our pets. Laurence is aware of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that can emit from pre-fab furniture, and why pl...

This week we dive into the archive where Anna is joined by Will Green MA, Executive MBA Programme at the University of Winchester and Sales and Marketing Director of Paleo Ridge. We discuss sustainability in the pet industry, focusing on the model adopted by Paleo Ridge as a raw food firm supplier, setting eco-standards in terms of making feeding raw not only ‘peace of mind for your dog', but also for the planet. In an age where Veganism is being suggested for dogs we discuss why ethical farming is needed to save the planet and maintain the bio-diversity without wh...

We’re joined by Lizzie Charnock, Dog Matching Officer, at Wood Green Pets Charity, talking about Christmas and its impact on impulse puppy purchases that often lead to young adults being handed into the charity. We chat about the rise in abandonment since the pandemic, and why Wood Green’s service to match the right dog to a prospective owner is key. Since 2019, Channel 4’s The Dog House has been capturing hearts across the nation. We chat about the programme and why it's helped so many understand how the Wood Green teams turn dogs’ lives around, and the prospective owners w...

We’re joined by Denise Elphick, co-founder of Pets Pyjamas, the UK’s dog friendly travel agent. We chat about the concept of dog friendly, the power of the ’Hound Pound’, and why the hospitality industry is opening their doors to dogs.  Denise explains that every listing from a self catering cottage, a 5-star hotel or a pub has been curated by the Pets Pyjamas’ team.  Offering clients peace of mind and assurance that their dog will be welcomed, not  just tolerated. As stay-cationing has soared in popularity, with over 50% of all dog owners wanting to holiday with their pooch, hotel...

We’re joined by Les Ward and Debbie Wilson from the International Animal Coalition discussing  the breach of animal welfare in Morocco all in the name of football!  Les and Debbie explain why campaigners are calling on FIFA to strip Morocco of its World Cup bid after grisly footage has emerged showing the inhumane public slaughter of street dogs in preparation for the event. Dogs can be seen screaming and in pain in the harrowing footage, which shows the 'cleansing' efforts being carried out to support the World Cup bid.  This announcement due on December 11th as to whether Moroc...

Keef Yap the founder of YapYap.dog joins us this week to talk about her hugely successful events. Inspired by her own MaltiPoo called Buttons, Keef reached out to like minded people four years ago and has built a community of modern ‘pet parents’ who want to enjoy outings and events like the hugely successful Winter Woof with their dogs. We chat about the organisation that goes on and the creative thinking to make fun  interactive features for the dogs to enjoy as much as the humans.  We chat about what’s lined up for 2025 as well as the ups and...

We’re joined by Caroline Allen, Chief Veterinary Officer, RSPCA and Rob Denman, Head of Professional and Field Services Gas Safe Register discussing the silent killer that is carbon monoxide poisoning in our pets. Raising awareness as part of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week (Monday 18th-Friday 22nd November 2024), the Gas Safety Register and the RSPCA have joined forces to raise awareness of the vital signs your pet has potentially been exposed to carbon monoxide, saving not only their lives but yours too! New figures show almost all pet owners (99%) are not able to correctly identify all the signs that indicate th...

Vet and Clinical Supervisor, Lara Howe, at Pet Blood Bank joins us to chat about this life saving charity. Founded in 2007, Pet Blood Bank is a charity that offers a blood bank service for dogs who run very similarly to the human blood service. Owners bring their dogs along to donate blood at one of their many sessions across the UK. The blood is then processed and stored ready to be sent out to vets when they need it. Every donation a dog gives can help to save the lives of up to four other dogs. Before Pet Blood...

With firework now upon us, we bring you our chat with Dr Sam Gaines of the RSPCA from 2022 about how you can start preparing your dog now to deal with fireworks that now start at Halloween, through Bonfire Night, Dwali, Christmas and New Year by learning to see the signs of stress in your dog and to create a safe space for them. Anna and Sam also talk about the progress (or lack there of) of various animal welfare bills currently in Parliament, the increase in dog biting, and a new media campaign to add more breeds to the...

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

To advertise on or sponsor A Dog's Life email: info@theloniouspunkproductions.com

We’re joined by Chloe White (RVN BVNA Certsan ) discussing National Black Cat Day! We unpick all the myth and folklore surrounding these mystic cats , not least why black cats remain in rescue longer than any other coat colour! Discussing Chloe’s role at with Antinol, we chat about the fact that arthritis affects between 60 and 70 percent of all cats. The problem with cats is that they’re so good at disguising pain.  Chloe discusses why Antinol’s Green Lipped Mussel is a supplement that provides a solution . As a new concept offering very clever minimally processed Green Lipped Mussel as...

What is the difference between fear and anxiety?

This week Anna discusses this with author and animal behaviourist Zazie Todd on the release of her third book called BARK. Add this to her own book shelves along side Zazie’s critically acclaimed books Wag and Purr (see previous episodes).

In Bark, Zazie decodes the latest science on fear and anxiety, bearing in mind that 75% of all dogs express some form of anxiety through their life stages including: biting, resource guarding, shyness or aggressive barking.

Bark is divided into sections weaving in commentary from le...

Dr Dan O’ Neill, Associate Professor in Companion Animal Epidemiology at Royal Veterinary College, joins us to discuss the latest research from VetCompass on comparing three ‘designer’ cross breeds namely the Cavapoo, Cockapoo and the Labradoodle on whether they are healthier than their ‘pure bred’ parts. Revealing to some surprise that these three mixes are indeed no healthier than their pedigree parents, we chat about bias, stigma and trends that influence dog owners.  We discuss the shift in dog ownership towards these new ‘breeds’, in the wake of much discussion on the health limiting over-exaggerated features of some pedigrees that has caused...

We’re joined by Dr Paul Koudounaris talking about his book ‘Faithful until Death’. As a first in terms of investigating Pet Cemeteries all around the world, Paul admits this was a labour of love of 11 years. Revealing the history of pet ownership as in the late Victorian era industrialisation meant more folk moved into cities, creating a new kind of pet husbandry, which included giving them a ’good’ death. Paul explores Cemeteries, and tombs from as far afield as Thailand, across Europe, in the UK and across the USA. We chat about the ridiculous thought that animals do not have s...

We’re joined by Microbiologist, Dr Carol Hughes, and Rachel Down, the founder of Boil and Broth, to discuss the ground breaking research project called the Biome Broth study. As a world first, the aim is to put Bone Broth to the test to see if adding this age old remedy to dogs’ diets will enhance their microbiome. With 29 dogs taking part, none of whom had had broth before, and on taking this powerful food for only four weeks, their biomes were tested again, and in all cases a remarkable improvement has been seen in this short time-frame. Notably the...

We’re joined by Pen Farthing is an ex Royal Marine Commando who founded the charity Nowzad to help dogs and cats in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. We chat about the amazing work the charity achieved in sterilising dogs and cats and the vaccinating programs against rabies. Also in re-uniting soldiers across the world with their beloved dog or cat they’d befriended during their tour of duty. Not only that but offering education at a local level about dogs, and helping women realise their dreams in becoming vet nurses and vets at their centre in Nowzad. In A...

This week Anna returns to Battersea to visit the cats at Battersea’s London HQ as the second in our double bill raising awareness for Wear Blue For Rescue at a time when the charity is at capacity for its cat residents.  Chatting to JoAnna Puzzo , Cat Behaviourist and Training Manager  to find out more about the growing number of abandoned cats in the Charity’s care, how they’re rehabilitated with behavioural and veterinary care. Particularly as Battersea  is currently at capacity with the most abandoned, gifted and stray cats ever! With a look inside their new cat facility...

Celebrating Wear Blue for Rescue month at Battersea, Anna spent a morning at the London HQ to record a double bill! In this part one we’re talking to Lucy Stratton, the Dog Team Leader at Battersea. We have the pleasure of meeting Bil,l a 10 month old mix breed found abandoned, and now looking for his forever home. Lucy reiterates Battersea’s matching process, similar to a dating app that ensure that you and your prospective pooch are a match made in heaven for the best chances of a long happy life together. We discuss how every dog is a...

To conclude our August Archive Season, this week we’re joined by the legend that is Dr Jean Dodds talking about vaccines. As one of the pioneers to research the duration of immunity (DOI) of modern vaccines, Dr Jean has led the way for the WSAVA (The World Small Animal Veterinary Association) to recommend Titre Testing over annual boosters. Having studied how the DOI of initial puppy shots can last a minimum of three years, if not a life time, Dr Jean believes in #TestBeforeYouTreat and that’s for annual vaccines as well as wormers. A Titre tests picks up t...

As our August Archive Season continues Anna meets up with Author & Journalist, Genevieve Fox, and her Miniature Schnauzer, Pepper on Hampstead Heath. Retracing their time training on an ‘experience’ walk, where Anna highlighted some training tips. That walk was for an article in The Observer magazine about walking your own dog, and how it helps your dog’s and your own well-being.  Passionate about punctuating your dog’s day, and building proactive games into an everyday walk for extra enrichment.  Anna demonstrated how to connect with your dog and make the walk interactive. Genevieve and Anna chat sitting on a log that...

To continue our August Archive Season, Anna is joined by Trainer & Behaviourist, Victoria Stilwell, all the way from Atlanta. At the time of re recording, Victoria’s second series of It’s Me Or The Dog was being aired, and we chat about this and the landmark first series that aired in the UK in 2005. Victoria explains that the doggy problems are the same as they were in the first series, but more intense as our lives have changed, not least because of the pandemic. If trained dogs are happy dogs, they make for happier pet parents! Victoria champions the...

As our Summer Season from the Archive continues, in this episode CBS News correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning, Martha Teichner joins Anna to discuss her book: When Harry Met Minnie. Set in New York City it's a true story of an unexpected friendship and the gift of love beyond loss. There are true fairy tales, once upon a time stories that exist because of coincidental happenings that change everything. Except in real life not all of them have the typical , happy -ever-after endings. Both Harry and Minnie were Bull Terriers, but it’s so much more than a tale of...

In light of the recent news in Turkey that the government has passed a bill ordering the destruction of all street dogs and cats there, we start our Summer Archive season with our conversation with Elizabeth Lo, the director of a stunning documentary Stray which follows the every day life of stray dogs led by Zeytin, an Anatolian Shepherd dog, in Istanbul, a city at that point, that not only tolerates but cares for them.

Find out where you can watch Stray wherever you are.

The Wild At Heart Foundation is helping to organise a...

This week we’re discussing why meat is a critical ingredient for dogs to thrive rather than survive!

We’re joined by Andy Gray of The Farmer’s Dog and pet food consultant, Caroline Griffith,  to talk about the nub of the issue when it comes to processed foods versus fresh whole foods.

We chat about the worrying trend of Veganism for dogs, which understandably prompts a conversation to remind people about why feeding your dog on a lot of meat is ‘appropriate’ for a dog.

Highlighting the on-going conversation of plant based diets (many...

As part of our Summer ‘revival’ replaying some key episodes from A Dog’s Life’s archives, we’re joined by the Broadcasting legend that is Jenni Murray talking about her love of dogs. From her first  Corgi cross called Taffy, to her two Miniature Schnauzers called William and Mary.  After Jenni battled cancer, she persuaded her husband to accept her first Chihuahua named Butch, latterly joined by two more  little Chihuahuas Frieda and Madge. At the time of recording in Jenni’s garden Butch was almost 16 and Jenni shares the journey with Butch as her rock through a particularly di...

Dog lover and Entrepreneur, Avi Nagel, joins us to chat about a new enrichment brand called Dog And Bond. Drawing on his fond childhood experiences growing up sharing a home with German Shepherds, Avi succeeds in recreating the shared experience of baking healthy snacks for your dog that you can eat too!  Dog and Bond ensuresthat the ingredients are species appropriate so there’s no sugar or grains.  Apart from thinking about ingredients and an awareness of whole foods, it's about training and enrichment at a sensory level. Dogs love to be involved with clear boundaries, and  being encouraged to ex...

With summer holiday season firmly here, this week we repeat our chat with Brenda Stowers about Le Pet Express. Her passion to offer straight forward service to travel in and out of the UK began with her own experience when relocating from California into the UK. She  flew into France because dogs and cats can travel in the cabin as long as they fit in front of your airline seat. From Paris they entered the UK on a ferry in a rented car service. Coordination took months of planning and a lot effort to find a trusted provider to c...

We’re joined by Estate Agent and Landlord, Russell Hunt whose company, PetsLets, specifically focuses on finding properties for people with pets. We chat about why the conversation about renting pet friendly accommodation as fallen off the ‘radar’ of late.

We discuss why it is important that whichever party wins the upcoming election, they will prioritise the Renters Reform Bill particularly where the clause section 21 is concerned that currently gives powers to Landlords for short notice terminations and evictions.

Despite over half of Briton’s owning a dog, renting with pets is  still considered a niche mar...

Dr Lise Hansen returns to discuss the latest and indeed landmark news from the WSAVA (The World Small Animal Association) on their latest guidelines to recommend NOT to spay or neuter as a routine procedure. Following on from several episodes discussing the growing body of science to backup these guidelines, Dr Lise talks about her award-nomination book — The Complete Book of Cat & Dog Health as being the only resource to highlight some of the many health issues associated with neutering and spaying.

Dr Lise Hansen's book is available again.

For more about Anna go to an...

This week Anna welcomes back retired vet, Andrew Prentis, to discuss the concern around corporate ownership of vet practices and working out the correct dosage for medicine.

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

To advertise on or sponsor A Dog's Life email: info@theloniouspunkproductions.com

In loving memory of Gremlin, who Anna lost a year ago, we replay one of our favourite shows: Anna's chat with Dr Zazie Todd - CompanionAnimal Psychology -  talking about her book Purr. In our conversation on cats , the lack of science on their behaviour (compared to dogs), she recount several hilarious anecdotes on Gremlin, which will make you realise why she named him Gremlin, the lengths he went for to help Molly when she was poorly, and why Gremlin was quite a cat for someone’s first feline! He is so missed, but we hope is he is reu...

We joined by elite dog trainer Rory Hennebry and Film Director Paul Webster discussing the new documentary called Canine.

Nominated by the upcoming Tribeca Film Festival, Canine follows a Malinois called AK becoming trained as a conservation canine to help fight the battle against poachers in Namibia.

The rise in the ruthless poaching and targeting the Black Rhino for its horns - makes them one of the most endangered species on the planet.

The Black Market value for the rhino horn has driven huge massacre, and dogs like AK being trained by the...

We’re joined by Anna Ewers-Clark, lead Vet at The Blue Cross,  chatting about the dangers of the hot weather. Every season has its pros and cons for dogs, and in Summer the extra daylight hours give us more time to walk your dog, but it's also a time when a walk in the park can turn into a vet emergency. We discuss why dogs overheat so easily, and what signs owners should be aware of to spot in time to prevent an urgent trip to the vets. We discuss why young and older dogs are more susceptible. Why the...

We’re joined by Rachel Down of Boil & Broth talking about how her journey discovering the huge health benefits of Bone Broth. Following a dead end road on courses of antibiotics, which seemed to make her worse, it was discovering the power of nutrition, especially bone broth that led to her transformation to being slimline, and in full vibrant health. By researching how between 70-80 per cent of  immune system resides in our gut lining, suddenly Rachel had the ‘eureka’ moment. 

Wanting to spread the word on the nutritional values of bone broth to help restore the micr...

We’re joined by Actor, Author and Animal lover, Paul Drayton, talking about his love of dogs that was inspired by a Westie as a child. Drawn to animals he has owned horses, cows and even peacocks on his farm. We chat about his passion for Irish Setters and why they will always be apart of his heart. We talk about rescuing as being morally mandatory, and why Paul is a firm believer of spaying and neutering to minimise the dog population. We chat about the responsibility dogs really are, and the sad fact that rescues are now brimful do...

When In a bid to find the perfect enrichment toy for their own dogs, the team @Play9 invented their own!  

I’m chatting to Lee Bridges and John Allard about the Enrichment Revolution, and particularly  on interactive toys as a major part of this enrichment awareness.

Inspired  by a pencil eraser in the design phases to create the Roolo that’s very clever its ‘a shape of constant width’,  which is naturally occurring, but very rare! 

This shape and its tactile material that’s 100% eco  only takes the smallest mov...

We’re joined by Artist and Author, Barry Stebbing, who is talking about his first novel, Cedric - Footprints in the Sand. Based on a true story and inspired by Sir Edwin Landseer’s iconic paining of a black and white Newfoundland dog housed in the Tate in London, Barry brings the unknown back story of a Newfoundland named Bob - renamed as Cedric in this captivating book, which fuses fact and fiction to bring the painting to life. Capturing the life in the Victorian era as so different from ours, yet with similarities highlighting the human condition, with the...

We’re joined by Dr Dan O’Neill, Associate Professor for Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC and co-founding ICECDogs member. We’re chatting about the ICECDogs - the International Collaborative on Extreme Conformations in Dogs. Particularly discussing the recently published position paper, the aim of which is to help owners to recognise good innate health in dogs. The paper was heavily informed by research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). The first of its kind, it provides a guide for animal caregivers, and the wider public, to identify healthy natural physical characteristics in dogs and to predict and assess...

We’re joined by Dr Lise Hansen who returns to chat about her award winning book: “The Complete Book of Cat & Dog Health” and why this book provides clear accessible advice for owners to understand the four main areas of pet care: Diet, Vaccinations, Parasite control, and Neutering. We’re also chatting about the new Vaccination guidelines just announced by the WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association). As a step forward in further highlighting the role of Titre Tests as a tool to manage your dog’s immunity, rather than simply over vaccinating. And deciding when is the right time to gi...

Where do you go to find out more about health and longevity for your dog?

I’m chatting to Pet Industry Nutrition consultant, Caroline Griffiths, who is the  founder of the Natural Dog Expo.

Discussing why Caroline’s track record of delivering events that helps empower pet owners / guardians to help transfer their human health values to their dogs.

And why I’m excited to host this year’s event with an impressive line -up of world class speakers!

Whether owners/guardians have been ‘burnt’ in the past perhaps by over medication, t...

Anna and Mr Binks visit Hackney Barkers, a grooming and wellness experience in Hackney, London. Chatting to the founder Jade Georgiou we talk about qualifications in grooming, how diet affects the skin and coat, along with behaviour. The vibe of the salon is very zen supported by natural products Jade has selected as well as some supplements from The Herbal Dog Co. Emphasising the need to offer a calm environment, the salon is boutique with only two dogs being groomed at a time, keep the noise and hustle and bustle to a minimum. We chat about how Jade competed...

Anna attends the FIDOS (For Incredible Dogs on Screen) at the British Film Institute. Mingling with some of the guests on the red carpet, she chats to Founder, Toby Rose, and a host of VIP pooches and their owners, not least Jean-Christophe Bouvet (aka Pierre Cadeau of Emily in Paris), celebrating the role of dogs in film, which appears to be growing in line with the soaring popularity of pooches in general. The Best in Year was awarded to Messi - the Border Collie who played Snoop, an assistance dog in Anatomy of a Fall. Flown to LA Messi...

In our Crufts 2024 round up I’m taking a look at the natural healthcare vibes and much more chatting to both familiar voices and new ones, talking to people and companies with a focus on natural health, grooming and wellness.

I catch up on the latest from natural balanced and complete food firms including  Paleoridge, and why Honeys has launched a bespoke service, including cooked options for certain cases.

I also caught up with Coya and their freeze dried raw where convenience meets natural health. Exhibiting for the first tim...

This week we're joined by Annabel Karmel, who has pioneered the way families all over the world feed their babies and children. In 2006, Annabel received an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for her outstanding work in the field of children’s food and has since become recognised as one of the UK’s leading female entrepreneurs. Credited with starting a ‘food revolution’ with her trusty recipes and methods, she has become the UK’s No.1 children’s cookery author, best-selling international author, and the mother of all feeding experts with 47 cookbooks…and counting. As a massive dog lover Annabel is...

Carol Hughes is back for the second a mini-series on the Microbiome. Carol’s journey began being commissioned by the Welsh Government to research plant compounds, in particular natural occurring steroids. Carol explains how this naturally moved into researching animals microbiomes as part of her parent company Phytorigins. It was this research that brought Carol into focusing on the Microbiome. With technology advancing particularly with Artificial Intelligence. We discuss how working with leaders in the field at Aberystwyth University, how her team has conducted the first in-depth observation of different ‘biomes: cats, horses, and of course, dogs. We talk abou...

We’re joined by Carol Hughes talking in the first of mini series on the Microbiome. Carol’s journey began being commissioned by the Welsh Government  to research plant compounds in particular natural occurring steroids. Carol explains how this naturally moved into researching animals microbiomes as part of her parent company Phytorigins. We discuss how science namely Artificial Intelligence has moved forwards combined with working with leaders in the field at Aberystwyth University, how her team has conducted the first in-depth observation of different ‘biomes: cats, horses and of course dogs. We talk about her first study relating to obesity...

We’re joined by Liz Rutherford and Freddie Rostand talking about their journey to bring organic colostrum to not just pets, but to their owners too! We chat about what colostrum is, and how with minimal processing it offers the most potent and biologically available immune system boost. Studies concur that this ‘first milk’ delivers vital nutrients and antibodies. By supplementing with this natural powerhouse is shown to balance and help fight disease and the ageing process. As a natural resource to balance the immune system, colostrum is also known to alleviate persistent skin conditions, increase mobility, stimulate cognitive functi...