Pet Parents Pod

So, about coming back...we are here for a one time special series finale. Sorry, folks, we did intend to lower our posting schedule and continue, but soul-searching made us realize our free time for this wonderful experience has passed. Join us for our last catch up, a full explanation of why we're ending, and, of course, the tangents. We love you all and are happy you have listened. Join us in the Discord and on the Instagram, those are staying up. One last note: we talk about this at the end of the episode, but Wolfie's Wish reached out to us. We were originally going to schedule an episode to interview the creator, but that is no longer in the cards. Please check out their lovely grieving card set to help you thoughtfully work through your grief with a reflection question each day. Check Wolfie's Wish at: https://wolfieswish.com/

Pet Parents Pod is taking a 4 week break! See you back in March!

Happy Galentine's/Palentine's Day! We are on the eve of the lovey dovey day of love so we are talking about animal symbols of love. There are a lot birds, but Danielle didn't mean to make it a bird-focused episode. She swears. Enjoy our weird conversation. Sources: https://college.unc.edu/2020/02/chaucer-valentines/ https://featuredcreature.com/5-valentines-day-inspired-animals/ https://www.livescience.com/33001-why-do-doves-represent-love.html https://blog.ferplast.com/en/why-are-lovebirds-called-that/ And some live Googling

This week we discuss what has been going on in our lives with emergency vet visits, machismo, and dogs on vacation. Join us for the exciting life of travel dogs and tall skeletor dogs!

This week we give you a long awaited Allergy Watch Update. Discover the list of things Mishka is allergic to, hear about the trials of Mishka and Atopica, and what lengths he has driven Danielle to in order to get him to eat. A normal dish to prepare for your dog is soaking the prescription dry food and blended wet prescription food into a mousse. Yes...normal.

Happy Lunar New Year! We are now in the year of the rabbit as of January 22nd, the water rabbit specifically. Join us as we tell the tale of the Chinese Zodiac myth and talk about their animals meaning. Sources: Liao, Sabrina.(2001) Chinese Astrology: Ancient Secret for Modern Life. Warner Books.

This week we follow up our dog sled adventure with the 1925 Serum Run. This story isn't about Balto--he was a good dog, but there were many other good dogs in the story. One particularly important team was led by Togo. Join us on this gripping and crazy real story of community, sacrifice and bravery. Sources: https://www.seppalakennels.com/ https://mynyddsleddogadventures.com/news/the-great-serum-run/ https://www.si.com/more-sports/2021/01/13/alaska-serum-run-1925-togo-not-balto https://archives.alaska.gov/education/serum.html

This week we hit the trail to learn about dog sledding and we're discussing the Iditarod Race! Learn about this interesting tradition and the history of dog sled racing. Sources: https://iditarod.com/race-history/ https://iditarod.com/edu/origin-of-the-iditarod-how-did-it-all-begin/ http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/288/sled-dogs-cultural-legacy-and-forgotten-history https://www.military.com/history/alaska-enlisted-help-of-eskimo-scouts-protect-itself-during-world-war-ii.html https://www.pethealthnetwork.com/news-blogs/a-vets-life/how-sled-dogs-helped-win-world-war-i https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/sled-dog-breeds-history-future/ https://www.hurtigruten.com/destinations/norway/inspiration/attractions/history-of-dog-sledding/ https://alifeofdogs.com/history-of-the-iditarod/#:~:text=Dick%20Wilmarth%20won%20the%20first,by%20local%20newspapers%20in%20Alaska

We have some updates from the Kipp household. Rosie and Charlie know more about their origins. Warning: we have some sad news as well as we are discussing that Boy (Ribbon) has crossed the rainbow bridge. Join us for some fun and serious updates.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. This week we have a short treat of Kipp reading us the Cajun Night before Christmas by "TROSCLAIR", Illustrated by James Rice. It is a fun treasure from Kipp and Danielle's childhood. Enjoy this Cajun Classic. Song: The Holly and the Ivy from Uncle Dave's Free Christmas Music at https://www.mp3forkidz.com/xmas/

This week finally we discuss the long-awaited topic of Mishka and Roux's dermatology appointment. They went, we learned things, and now we're sharing the results so far. As always, Roux is a dog-shaped medical Rubik's cube.

We discuss taking photos of pets this week. Why pet photography such a challenge? There's gotta be a better way! Fear not, there is! We discuss tips and tricks to get that perfect picture of your pet. Sources: https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/resources/how-to-photograph-pets/ https://expertphotography.com/11-tips-improving-cat-photography-skills/ https://www.angierose.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-pet-photographer/ https://www.k9ofmine.com/how-to-become-pet-photographer/

This week Danielle had everyone watch a documentary about service dogs in order to better discuss them. We all had emotions and learned about the cycles and training that go into different types of service dogs. Join us as we talk about the important and hard work to aid these dogs in helping others live their best lives. Sources: Pick of the Litter Puppy Prep https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/service-dog-training-101/

This week we discuss a heavy but very important topic. The struggles with executive dysfunction and being responsible for the needs of pets. This is mostly from personal perspective, but Danielle did get some definitions. Obviously this is a very wide topic with lots of nuance and this doesn't capture everyone's experience. We did our best, please enjoy. Sources: https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI3629239/ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23224-executive-dysfunction

This week we discuss the weird skin bumps and lumps that our dogs have developed. Heath and Danielle learned about abscesses from Mishka and Kipp learned about histiocytomas from Charlie. Let us explain what these things are. Sources: https://www.queensparkpethospital.ca/does-your-pet-have-an-abscess/ https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/skin/c_dg_histiocytoma

Trigger Warning: gross topics such as poop eating and dogs being disgusting. Roux ate wild rabbit droppings. This sent us on a strange spiral of what animals shouldn't eat in the backyard. Sources: Four zero woof...the dogs ate our sources. You will have to trust us or just do your own research. Sorry. Honestly you could Google backyard threats to your pets and find them but Heath did not feel like relocating them all over again a couple weeks later.

This week we discuss enriching your cats' lives. What do they need to fuel their apex predator needs? Should you get a cat TV? Spend millions on cat trees and wall furniture? Build a Catio? Join us to find out.

Happy al Halloween! We watch 'Pet Sematary' for the final spooky season episode. Warning: this movie's main theme is death including animal and child death. Join us on this morbid journey with a lot less pets than originally guessed based on the title. Sources: https://youtu.be/k6ULlnM7sxg

Okay, folks, Producer Dan messed up on which weeks we were recording for and there will be no episode this week. We are doing a Pet Parents Go to the Movies next week on Pet Sematary, the original from 1989. Warning: movie contains animal and child death. If you are brave enough, come back next week to hear us discuss the film. In the meantime, continue to enjoy autumn and be sure to keep yourself and your pets warm if you too have a cold snap or otherwise freezing or near freezing weather.

This week we discuss Cryptids! What is a cryptid? What are their spooky tales? What real life animals could they actually be? Enjoy another spooky season episode with us. Also all Danielle's research is her memory and Wikipedia, so no real sources this type.... because spoiler - Cryptids aren't real...But let's have some fun!