A Dog's Life with Anna Webb

Latest Episodes:

Dr Dan Allen Jul 23, 2023

Show notes

This week we’re joined by Dr Daniel Allen, Animal Geographer at Keele University, and champion of Pet Theft Reform. In the wake of Government shelving what was called the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, Dr Dan, along with pet theft campaigners including SAMPA (the Stolen & Missing Pets Alliance) and Vets Get Scanning, to lobby Government hard again to bring in a separate law with appropriate penalties for stealing all pets, but mainly dogs who have been victims of organised crime for decades. Brought to a head in the pandemic when the demand for puppies outstretched supply, along with prices for puppies soaring to ridiculous levels, canny criminal activity reached preposterous levels with scamming, stealing dog in daylight, breaking into private gardens and more. As a crime with little consequence under the antiquated Theft Act 1968, dogs are classed in law as chattel. This means that stealing dogs is a low-risk, high-gain business for criminals. The penalty is the same for stealing a laptop, a phone or a car. During the pandemic there was much talk of creating a specific law that factored in the enormous emotional attachment between dogs and their owners and the trauma to individuals suffering from this ‘abduction'. We discuss this at length not least that science now concurs that dogs have emotional intelligence -they are not chattel. So Dr Dan has launched a new petition to re-galvanise Government to take action - please sign the petition!!!!

For more information visit their website

If you love A Dog's Life and would like to help support the show why not become a Patreon backer where you can also have access to some exclusive content.

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

The Dangers of Neuturing with Dr Lise Hansen Jul 16, 2023

Show notes

This week we’re joined by Dr Lise Hansen who returns to talk about the latest science behind neutering and spaying. We last recorded an episode about this same subject three years ago, it seems that the messages from a raft of science on the side effects of neutering is yet to filter down into routine Vet practice. Dr Lise explains that the issue surrounds the reproductive LH Hormone, which continues to be produced by the brain even when the sex organs are removed. This hormone accumulates in the body and becomes out of balance, creating health issues from osteoarthritis, cancers, to hypothyroidism. The science is only 10 years old, and change can be slow to take effect. But according to Dr Lise this is the biggest news in the Veterinary world, which she predicts that in 10 years time, neutering will be considered not only an unnecessary, but unethical procedure. Dr Lise points out that in Norway it is already illegal to neuter unless for extreme health reasons, and in Scandinavia generally it’s frowned upon as a practice compared to the complete opposite in the USA where Dr Lise thinks that a possible alternative like vastectomies for dogs and ovary sparing spays for bitches will become the norm, in the USA, but for now Dr Lise encourages you to read the science much of which is included in her book : The Complete Book of Cat and Dog Health.

The Complete Book of Cat and Dog Health is published by Hubble&Hattie and is available everywhere you buy books including Amazon. It contains a full chapter (16 pages) covering the topic of neutering including alternative surgeries and the implications of living with an entire dog. It also lists scientific references.

Read all about this and more in Dr Lise’s book: The Complete Book Of Cat And Dog Health

Dr Lise on Instagram

If you love A Dog's Life and would like to help support the show why not become a Patreon backer where you can also have access to some exclusive content.

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

Doga Jul 09, 2023

Show notes

This week we’re joined by Mahny Djahanguiri (DogaMahny). Mahny is the UK and Europe's leading founder and author of DOGA -Yoga for you and your Dog. She is also a Ashtanga yoga teacher with whom Anna has practiced both Yoga and Doga.

Seven years ago Mahny learnt of Puppy Yoga and began delving deeper into these classes, which were benefiting from the success and growing recognition of Doga. Thanks to her determination she was thrilled that she helped an ITV investigation of this new trend and its exposé recently aired on mainstream national UK news.

Mahny is passionate about Doga as offering a therapy for you and your own dog. It is not related to this new trend in any way. Doga practices the principles of Yoga: positive energy, mindfulness: kindness and altruism as part of Ayurvedic culture.

The ITV News investigation by Sam Leader, Daniel Hewit, and Imogen Barrer uncovers the dark side of a growing wellness trend, Puppy Yoga.

In a world where influencers are continually looking for the latest social media trend to jump on it seemed that puppy yoga, the practice where young dogs roam around your yoga class, was a perfect fit. On the face of it, the events provide an enticing mix of cute animals in a relaxing environment, creating images that are perfect for sharing on social media. But the ITV News investigation offers a glimpse into a differing reality than those filtered Instagram videos might lead you to believe.

If you love A Dog's Life and would like to help support the show why not become a Patreon backer where you can also have access to some exclusive content.

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

AI for Dogs Jul 02, 2023

Show notes

This week we’re joined by John Honchariw, founder of Companion. This is the groundbreaking new device recently launched in the USA that deploys AI to train, entertain, feed, and monitor the health of your dog. It’s a stationary robot that engages with your dog and cleverly adapts as your dog learns, fulfilling a dog’s instinctive needs to hunt, chase, and forage. Designed by dog lovers for pet parents to help maximise good behaviours like settling, learning sit, recall and down, whilst minimising unwanted behaviours like destructive chewing, barking, whining, and pacing. Companion aims to minimise stress, anxiety, and boredom when your dog is left alone, offering mental stimulation and enrichment. With games and features supported and designed by world-class behaviour and training experts focusing only on positive reward based training, the technology is easy to use offering pet parents real-time remote communication and interaction with your dog. Companion plans to launch in the UK soon so watch this space!

For more information click here

Instagram: @Companionlabs.dog

If you love A Dog's Life and would like to help support the show why not become a Patreon backer where you can also have access to some exclusive content.

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

Save the Beagles! Jun 25, 2023

Show notes

This week we’re joined by Phil Green, animal advocate, dog lover and proud pet parent to Scarlett the Beagle. Rescued by The Beagle Freedom Project in 2016 from a toxicology laboratory in Hungary, she had been bred by Marshall Bio Resources at the huge HQ in New York for the purpose of vivisection. Scarlett is one of the very few lucky ones enabled freedom, aged only two years. Both Phil and Janie Green had their names down for a rescued Beagle, understanding the long socialisation journey ahead. Scarlett adapted very well to her rural life in Essex, and enjoys the sights, sounds and smells of woodlands, and outdoors that she was deprived of. Scarlett has helped raise awareness of the atrocities that these Beagles endure in their very short terribly sad lives. In the hands of ‘white coats’ that justify their salaries from private ‘Big Pharma’ firms making everything from cleaning products to headache pills. The practice of vivisection is morally and financially bankrupt in an age when we have advanced technology that can do testing more economically, accurately, and without causing huge suffering to animals - in this Beagle. Scarlett has become the face of many campaigns , not least The Camp Beagle, to raise awareness and urge the public to support her in getting vivisection - the dark secret - raised in Parliament, get legislation amended in line with the Animal Welfare Act.

Sign the Petition here

Scarlet on Twitter

Scarlet on Instagram

Camp Beagle on Instagram

Beagle Freedom Project on Instagram

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

A Tribute to Gremlin Jun 18, 2023

Show notes

This week in loving memory of Gremlin, tune into my 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), I recount several hilarious anecdotes on Gremlin, which will make you realise why I 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 I hope is he is reunited with Molly across that rainbow bridge.

Zazie's website
Instagram: @ZazieTodd
Twitter: @CompAnimalPsych

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

Le Pet Express Jun 11, 2023

Show notes

This week Brenda Stowers joins us to chat 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 cross the Channel. The only other option was to put her cats in cargo and fly direct into Heathrow. The issue with traveling in the hold as cargo means you lose control, and it can be super stressful for your pet. Le Pet Express lessens this anxiety, whether you’re relocating, or popping over to Paris for a long weekend, or driving traveling onward into Europe. Le Pet Express offers help with all the newly complicated paperwork, and Brenda handles bookings and holds customer’s hands through checking the minute details of the Animal Health Certificate needed for British pets to enter France. Having designed the minibus especially to accommodate five pets and their people in line with DEFRA’s regulations, Brenda has traveled with Great Danes to Chihuahuas, Ferrets and of course cats. Le Pet Express is an ideal option for larger dogs that cannot travel in cabin due to their size, which puts owners off taking them abroad.

For more information click here.

If you love A Dog's Life and would like to help support the show why not become a Patreon backer where you can also have access to some exclusive content.

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

Red Light Therapy Jun 04, 2023

Show notes

This week we’re down at the Mind, Body and Spirit show where we caught up with Ruth Milner talking about ‘Red Light Therapy’. As a member of the International Light Association, Ruth is an expert authority on the power of light as a healing modality. We discuss the sudden boom in LED sourced Red and Near Infrared devices, which have flooded the beauty market recently. We chat why not all ’devices’ are the same in their evidence based doses. We discuss the how light interacts with our cells at a biological level to provide vital energy and power ATP. We discuss the latest volume of The Power of Light, Colour and Sound for Health and Wellness from the International Light Association, in which Ruth’s chapter of using a device called Photizo has helped all creatures great and small: from tigers, elephants, horses, dogs and even hedgehogs. And we discuss why the Photizo range gained its Medical CE status -with so many applications to help on a human level too - we chat notably about evidence on Red Light and Parkinson's disease. But we also discuss why ‘Red Light Therapy’ uses a modality termed by MeSH in 2015 - its called Photobiomodulation.

Find out more here

If you love A Dog's Life and would like to help support the show why not become a Patreon backer where you can also have access to some exclusive content.

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

Bill Lambert Returns May 28, 2023

Show notes

This week Kennel Club spokesperson, Bill Lambert, joins us to chat about how during this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, they explored the theme of anxiety. One of the most common mental health problems today, affecting people of all ages, and this new research also highlights the different ways in which owners, from all walks of life, believe their dogs help with their mental health. Dogs scored highly as helping reduce anxiety and promote wellness amongst dog owners.

Nearly half (48 per cent) of owners aged over 55 agree that their dog makes them less stressed, while more than a third (37 per cent) of owners aged between 16-24 admit that their dog makes them feel less anxious. Regular exercise is also beneficial for mental well-being, and more than two in five (45 per cent) of owners believe that walking their dog improves their mood, while 63 per cent claim their dog has helped them to become fitter and healthier.

To celebrate what our nation’s pets do for us and the important role that they play in our lives a new cyber-Crufts was launched on 15 May and is open to all pets, starting with ‘Best Pet Companion’. The Asda Crufts Online Pet Show – with prizes ranging from a framed photograph of a pet to a pet friendly holiday – will be hosted on the Crufts Facebook and Instagram pages over the next six weeks, leading to a Best in Show finale on 23 June, where the winner will get the ultimate Crufts 2024 VIP experience.

To enter click here

Instagram @thekennelclub

If you love A Dog's Life and would like to help support the show why not become a Patreon backer where you can also have access to some exclusive content.

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

Pet Bereavement with Dawn Murray May 21, 2023

Show notes

This week we’re joined by Pet Bereavement Councillor, Dawn Murray. She has over 20 years experience working in the heart of the pet bereavement world, not only offering pet bereavement support but also as a pet undertaker. She has won numerous awards in relation to her work including a Points of Light award. She lives near Edinburgh with her husband and two whippets. For many years she has had a passion for retired racing Greyhounds and has loved and lost over 25 of her own pets. In her book 'An Introduction to Pet Bereavement Counselling’ she highlights the psychology behind grief. We talk about the different types of grief that different people can experience. Why many pet parents suffer greatly despite us all knowing that our pets simply don’t live long enough. The book is relevant for everyone to read as it highlights many cases, proving we’re not alone. Losing a pet is for many greater and deeper than losing a family member. And why reaching out for help is good, especially in safe hands like Dawn.

Get your copy of Dawn's book here or go to her website livingwithpetbereavement.com

If you love A Dog's Life and would like to help support the show why not become a Patreon backer where you can also have access to some exclusive content.

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