A Dog's Life with Anna Webb

Latest Episodes:

Stephen Jardine Aug 22, 2021

Show notes

This week seasoned Broadcaster & Journalist, Stephen Jardine joins Anna to chat about his puppy: Frankie , the Norfolk Terrier. Having lost his beloved Cairn terrier Billy aged 13, it took Stephen and his family a while to bring another dog into the family. Billy left them heart broken. Understanding that the same pain would inevitably happen again with another dog, Stephen and his family resisted another dog. But believing a house is not a home with a terrier, Frankie - the Norfolk terrier recently moved in. We chat about the trials and tribulations of staycationing with a cheeky puppy terrier, the joys of experiencing the beaches, and Cornwall’s dog friendliness, not least that dogs are a social network without technology. We talk about both the positive and negative effects of the pandemic on dogs. And discuss regional differences as both Stephen and Anna have lived and worked in Paris, so they chat about why Paris bucked the trend as perhaps Europe’s most dog friendly capital, way before the value of ‘hound pound’ hit the UK. We discuss what it is that connects us to dogs and vice versa. Highlighted by the iconic statue of Greyfriars Bobby , the Scottish Skye Terrier. Legend has it that Bobby lay beside, guarding his masters grave for 14 years until Bobby passed away. Quite the tourist attraction, the statue, which is also a drinking fountain, was erected in his honour on Candlemaker row, opposite the graveyard where he spent 14 years of life. Stephen regularly hosts the mid morning show on BBC Radio Scotland and more, as well as writing a Food column for The Scotsman.

Listen to Stephen on BBC Radio Scotland

Twitter: @StephenJardine

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 Rhain Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

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

Genevieve Fox Aug 15, 2021

Show notes

This week 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 became a fun agility obstacle. They chat about why its important to train a perfect recall, so your dog is never a nuisance to other people or their their dogs. Why spending quality time with your dog means you get to know your dog. And why training and adapting life around your dog through their life stages helps keep them on the ball, and reduces anxiety. But they also discuss how dogs enrich our lives, often in times of crisis. Apart from highlighting how Pepper helped Genevieve and her family through the Lockdowns, but when Genevieve was diagnosed with cancer. We chat about her book, Milkshakes and Morphine and why Pepper helped the family cope and pull through this testing chapter. We talk about how social media influences are connections , even to dogs, but ultimately why a house is not a home without a dog!

Grab a copy of The Observer today to read all about it.

For more on Genevieve Fox

Today's episode is sponsored by Sniffe and Likkit. Check out their whole range at sniffeandlikkit.com and use the promo code ANNA15 to get 15% all products.

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 Rhain Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

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

Rosie Wilby Aug 08, 2021

Show notes

This week Anna is joined by Comedian and Award Nominated Podcaster, Rosie Wilby, talking about her new book The Break Up Monologues: The Unexpected Joy of Heartbreak. Using her own experiences and those of some others, Rosie investigates why life can be like a palindrome: going backwards and forwards. The book discusses how tragedy through time becomes comedy, and how we learn from our mistakes, as we try to understand ourselves through others. Pets feature as a major strand through the book as highlighting why they can save a relationships, and equally work to break them up - It’s me or the dog type scenarios! Brilliantly written, very funny and sad, it's a roller coaster and a thought provoking look at what makes us human. And why pets, dogs in particular, perhaps can humble us into understanding the truth - and that really dogs are ‘man’s best friend’ being able to to truly offer what we seek in people - unconditional love.

Twitter: @rosiewilby
Instagram: @breakupmonologues
Buy The Breakup Monologues
or listen to the Podcast

For more about Anna visit her website annawebb.co.uk

Music and editing by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd for Gruff Pawtraits

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

Judy Phillips of Sniffe and Likkit Aug 01, 2021

Show notes

This week Judy Phillips, co founder of a new British petcare company called Sniffe & Likkit, joins Anna to talk about their range and brand ‘philoso-woofy'.

The Sniffe is the key aspect across its grooming, fragrance and gifting products. Understanding that a dog’s sense of smell is over a million times more sensitive than ours, Sniffe & Likkit’s 100% natural aromatherapeutic scents won’t get up your dog’s nose. Rather dogs will love the signature fragrance: Woodland Wonderfur running in its grooming range.

Formulated using essential oils like Cedarwood, Pettigrain, Vetiver and Ho Leaf. It’s aim to calm and soothe dogs, and bring the great outdoors into your home, and regular pampering routine. The aromatic scent is alluring and good for humans too!

Created by experts from the human world of natural skincare, but tailored for dogs. Thoughtfully designed in stand-out recyclable packaging, Give a Dog a Cologne, Wippets Cleansing Wipes, Fragrant Fur Coat Shampoo and The Fab Paw Conditioning Balm combine ingredients like Quillaja Bark Soap, White Willow Bark extract, Aloe Vera, Ho Leaf and Paw Paw. There’s no hidden nasties and it’s pH balanced for dogs.

The range taps into the demand for more natural alternatives and a transparency about ingredients that have been ethically sourced. And an understanding that spending time with your dog cannot be underestimated.

The inventive products are catering for modern dogs with an ethos about building the bond between dogs and pet parents through grooming and pampering. And for dogs on the go that might need a freshen up before going into the office, or dog friendly hotel!

The range also features Glove My Dog a towel that designed like a giant oven glove that uses fabric made from sustainably sourced bamboo. Tapping into a dog’s sense of smell there’s the home barking kit to that will get your dog’s tongues and tails wagging.

And for humans the scented gift cards allow humans to spread the kindness and 'scents' a message. With the range for the home the Scents Something Nice is an air freshener that’s crafted into hanging sachets, and features another signatory scent: Cedarwood From The Trees - naturally banishing any wiffs in the home, car, office - anywhere!

Sniffe & Likkit most definitely is not to be sniffed at! Check out their whole range at sniffeandlikkit.com

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 Rhain Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

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

Sam Gaines on Breed Specific Legislation Jul 25, 2021

Show notes

This week the RSPCA’s Dog Welfare Specialist, Dr Sam Gaines, joins Anna to discuss the latest on Breed Specific Legislation. Following a recent debate in Parliament prompted by a petition urging for reform as the 30th Anniversary of the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991) approached on August 12th. We discuss that as a ‘nation of animal lovers’ the UK is behind other countries in its approach to dogs and public safety. The banning of four breeds: the Pitbull, the Japanese Tosa, the Fila Brasiliero, and Dogo Argentino has not worked with dog bites rising year on year. We discuss other approaches not least education, bringing back dog licences, new bylaws that would be in the public’s safety. We chat about the potential of an independent review and study to ascertain whether certain breeds are more ‘dangerous’ than other breeds or cross breeds. If the independent review concludes there is insufficient evidence to support the Governments position on BSL, the hope is this aspect would have to be revised. Why introducing mandatory training and education courses for minor offences, similar to speed awareness courses for drivers would help nip problem behaviours in the bud, and offer support. We also highlight that currently animal welfare charities like The RSPCA are bound by law not to re-home breeds of a certain ‘type’, even if they are temperament tested to be sound. Victims of certain measurements currently means that these dogs have to be destroyed. Causing heart break for vets and the staff, it's also an unnecessary waste of life and costs to these organisations. The current approach to dog control is plagued with deep structural problems, not least judging a book by its cover. Improvements to public safety that simultaneously safeguards animal welfare can only be achieved through an open minded engagement with new strategies. Currently the Government’s lack of action on this front shows a disregard for dog welfare and is at odds with its proposed Animal Action Plan to bring in animal welfare legislation that sets a global precedent.

Visit the RSPCA's website

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 Rhain Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

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

Nevermind the (Dog's) Bollocks Jul 18, 2021

Show notes

This week Anna is joined by Steve Ignorant, the lead singer of the anarchic punk rock band, The Crass. He’s chatting about why animal activism was very much a part of the sub culture of punk rock. And he explains why he is so passionate about animals and why he despises all cruelty and neglect. Being a massive dog lover he is supporting the campaign Say No To Dog Meat, particularly in line with the recent barbaric Yulin Festival that has happened again in Beijing. Dogs are often cooked alive in what is a new festival set up in 2009 in a bid to honour ancient ‘dog eating traditions. Say No To Dog Meat is a charity headed by Julia de Cadernet whose team based in Beijing works tirelessly to save dogs from Chinese meat markets and re-homes dogs globally. Steve is also passionate about Bull terriers having been owned by them for 24 years. We chat about their quirks, and why they’re simply a breed apart.

For more information about Steve go to his website

Follow the campaign Say No To Dog Meat

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 Rhain Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

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

The Healing Hearts Appeal from Birmingham Dogs Home Jul 11, 2021

Show notes

This week Fi Harrison, Fundraising Manager, from Birmingham Dogs Home joins Anna to chat about their ‘Healing Hearts’ appeal. It’s aim to raise £100,000 to help pawly pooches by investing in the own veterinary facility. Currently the Charity’s veterinary costs is over £200,000 annually in addition to the staff and running costs of their two facilities. The long term saving of an in house veterinary clinic will allow for more funds to spend on the rehabilitation of their dogs like Spike a Bulldog puppy with serious health issues and deal with emergency cases expediently as well as day to care care. Birmingham Dogs Home was founded in 1892 and is the key rescue covering nine local authorities in the Midlands. With an in flux of ‘pandemic’ puppies likely to hot our rescues as one fifth of new owners are regretting their lockdown decision to bring a dog into their homes, there’s also been a rise in dogs with chronic health issues from obesity to deep rooted anxieties.

Please donate the Healing Hearts Appeal

For more about Anna visit her website Annawebb.co.uk

Produced by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gryff for Gruff Pawtraits

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

Kika the Guide Dog Jul 04, 2021

Show notes

Amit and Kika on Facebook

Twitter: @BlindDad_UK and @kika
Instagram: @kika_guidedog and @blinddad_uk

Kika and Me by Dr Amit Patel

Vote for A Dog's Life with Anna Webb in the Listener's Choice at the British Podcast Awards