MOST POPULAR 2023 EPISODE (Re-issue): We are bringing our interview with Margot Guralnick – the Architecture and Interiors Editor at Remodelista and Creator of Dog Walk Diary – as the most popular episode of the show last year. As we all learn from our dogs about how to slow down and appreciate nature, like our Dog Walk Meditation series, Margot started realizing that everything around her could make for beautiful collages. She started to make them and now has an amazing collection of art from these dog walks. She credits Enrique, her canine companion, for changing the way she goes through the world.

To finish the year, this episode highlights 2023 guests who joined us on Dog Save The People. This year the conversations centered around companionship, acceptance, creativity, therapy, family, health, grief, home, and more. For more information about the episode, guests, and featured social media or links: dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/2023-recap

As a farewell story from our host John Bartlett, we are resurfacing a special story from him right in time for the holidays. John has had many dogs in his life, but the most special and important relationship he had was with Tiny Tim, a three-legged pit bull rescue who lost a leg on Christmas Eve one year. But with John, Tiny Tim found his forever home. They would galavant around New York City and it enriched John’s life in many ways. Tiny Tim also inspired John to create a foundation in his name to support independent dog shelters and rescues in honor of his hairy soulmate.

Longtime show host John Bartlett is stepping down after five years on the Dog Save The People podcast. With a new job position at Parsons School of Design, he will often be traveling internationally and have more obligations that necessitate his time. We're happy to see him take this new career step. It's been a privilege for us to have John leading conversations on the show for all these years, speaking to over 150 guests. In this announcement, John shares his appreciation for the meaningful conversations fellow dog parents shared with him on the show.

This bonus episode features a sample meditation episode, Stress Relief Body Scan, from the new season of our Dog Walk Meditation series. This specific visualization meditation is designed to release tension throughout the body while on a dog walk, or sitting with a dog next to you. This guided body scan will slowly, from head to toe, recognize where you may be holding stress and imagine releasing tightness with each exhale. By allowing the body to decompress mindfully, you will be left feeling grounded and centered. When we are calm and stress-free, our dogs tend to reflect back a similar demeanor. Dog Walk Meditation features short guided meditations specially designed for personal time spent with dogs, such as on daily walks together, which may strengthen your mutual connection and improve mental well-being. The goal of the show is to release the mind from distractions, reduce stress, and focus on the present moment. FEATURED LINKS: Dog Walk Meditation website - www.dogwalkmeditation.com Dog Walk Meditation podcast on Apple Podcasts - www.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dog-walk-meditation/id1649189686 Dog Walk Meditation podcast on Spotify - www.open.spotify.com/show/2I7VMN1mD7LED10CRrUkw3 Annette McGivney website - www.annettemcgivney.com Annette McGivney on Instagram - www.instagram.com/annettemcgivney Annette McGivney's book Pure Land - www.amazon.com/Pure-Land-Cultures-Search-Heaven/dp/0998527882/

This bonus episode features a sample meditation episode, Pure Love, from the new season of our Dog Walk Meditation series. This specific visualization meditation is designed to bring you closer to the natural world that surrounds you, wherever you are. This practice will also help you to connect and reflect on your relationship with your dog in a deeply spiritual way. Afterward, you may feel the pure love from your mutual bond and immense gratitude for having a dog in your life. Dog Walk Meditation features short guided meditations specially designed for personal time spent with dogs, such as on daily walks together, which may strengthen your mutual connection and improve mental well-being. The goal of the show is to release the mind from distractions, reduce stress, and focus on the present moment. FEATURED LINKS: Dog Walk Meditation website - www.dogwalkmeditation.com Dog Walk Meditation podcast on Apple Podcasts - www.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dog-walk-meditation/id1649189686 Dog Walk Meditation podcast on Spotify - www.open.spotify.com/show/2I7VMN1mD7LED10CRrUkw3 Annette McGivney website - www.annettemcgivney.com Annette McGivney on Instagram - www.instagram.com/annettemcgivney Annette McGivney's book Pure Land - www.amazon.com/Pure-Land-Cultures-Search-Heaven/dp/0998527882/

This bonus episode features a sample meditation episode, Embrace Joy, from the new season of our Dog Walk Meditation series. This specific walking meditation has been designed to help you gain a stronger appreciation for your dog and the natural world on your walks together. It will also direct you to notice a dog’s exuberance, and this happiness may extend into our hearts and minds. The reward from this meditation will be a feeling of joy that allows you to be more present with others in daily routines, bringing an increased sense of gratitude and fullness to life. Dog Walk Meditation features short guided meditations specially designed for personal time spent with dogs, such as on daily walks together, which may strengthen your mutual connection and improve mental well-being. The goal of the show is to release the mind from distractions, reduce stress, and focus on the present moment. FEATURED LINKS: Dog Walk Meditation website - www.dogwalkmeditation.com Dog Walk Meditation podcast on Apple Podcasts - www.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dog-walk-meditation/id1649189686 Dog Walk Meditation podcast on Spotify - www.open.spotify.com/show/2I7VMN1mD7LED10CRrUkw3 Annette McGivney website - www.annettemcgivney.com Annette McGivney on Instagram - www.instagram.com/annettemcgivney Annette McGivney's book Pure Land - www.amazon.com/Pure-Land-Cultures-Search-Heaven/dp/0998527882/

This bonus episode features a sample meditation episode, Sharing This Moment, from the new season of our Dog Walk Meditation series. This specific walking meditation has been designed to focus on breathing, ease your mind, relax your body, and bring attention to your dog. The reward will be a calming feeling that strengthens your connection together. Learn how to take your thoughts away from the distractions of everyday life and instead ground yourself in the present moment with your dog. Plus, it can be a way for us to better get in touch with the nature around us, wherever we are. Guided by former Dog Save The People guest, Annette McGivney. Dog Walk Meditation features short guided meditations specially designed for personal time spent with dogs, such as on daily walks together, which may strengthen your mutual connection and improve mental well-being. The goal of the show is to release the mind from distractions, reduce stress, and focus on the present moment. FEATURED LINKS: Dog Walk Meditation website - www.dogwalkmeditation.com Dog Walk Meditation podcast on Apple Podcasts - www.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dog-walk-meditation/id1649189686 Dog Walk Meditation podcast on Spotify - www.open.spotify.com/show/2I7VMN1mD7LED10CRrUkw3 Annette McGivney website - www.annettemcgivney.com Annette McGivney on Instagram - www.instagram.com/annettemcgivney Annette McGivney's book Pure Land - www.amazon.com/Pure-Land-Cultures-Search-Heaven/dp/0998527882/

We're back from our summer break to officially announce the launch of Season 2 of the Dog Walk Meditation podcast. This trailer preview features an introduction from former guest Annette McGivney, an award-winning nature journalist and lifelong meditator. The show features short guided meditations specially designed for personal time spent with dogs, such as on daily walks together, which may strengthen your mutual connection and improve mental well-being. The goal of the show is to release the mind from distractions, reduce stress, and focus on the present moment. This season's will also emphasize the beauty in off-leash dog walks and provide guidance on how to safely prepare. FEATURED LINKS: Dog Walk Meditation website - www.dogwalkmeditation.com Dog Walk Meditation podcast on Apple Podcasts - www.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dog-walk-meditation/id1649189686 Dog Walk Meditation podcast on Spotify - www.open.spotify.com/show/2I7VMN1mD7LED10CRrUkw3 Annette McGivney website - www.annettemcgivney.com Annette McGivney on Instagram - www.instagram.com/annettemcgivney

We'll be taking a brief pause from posting new interviews during July and August. Over the Dog Days of Summer, you can follow along with us on Instagram where we'll be highlighting the beautiful work of artists that feature dogs at instagram.com/dogsavethepeople. One thing that we'll be working on, which we're happy to now announce, is that we're in production on Season 2 of our spin-off Dog Walk Meditation podcast. We will also be sharing select episode previews in the Dog Save The People podcast feed. Season 2 of Dog Walk Meditation will be guided by Annette McGivney – a journalist, book author, meditator, and former Dog Save The People guest! You may remember from her touching story with her dogs Sunny and Trudy and their special connection to nature. If you haven’t heard Season 1 of the Dog Walk Meditation podcast, guided by John Bartlett, you can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts. As an independent publisher, we appreciate any and all support to help make the show happen – from sharing our social posts, buying a t-shirt at dogsavethepeople.com/shop, leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, or submitting ideas for guests at dogsavethepeople.com/connect. See you soon! If you liked this episode, then please support our Independent podcast production, go to buymeacoffee.com/dogpeople to buy us a (virtual) coffee as a one-time donation or recurring monthly membership.

Dr. Kwane Stewart is a veterinarian whose work started in hospitals and shelters but later took to the streets. For over a decade, Kwane has been helping the dogs of the unhoused – going up to people on the street and offering his medical help. Now, he and his brother Ian Stewart run the Project Street Vet nonprofit with the mission of providing medical care to the pets of people experiencing homelessness. His new book, What It Takes to Save a Life: A Veterinarian's Quest for Healing and Hope, gives first-hand insights into the special dynamics of the relationship that he’s observed over his years in the field – and why the bond of the unhoused and their dogs can be stronger than anyone else. For more information about the episode, guest, and featured social media or links: www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/dr-kwane-stewart - If you liked this episode, then please support our Independent podcast production, go to www.buymeacoffee.com/dogpeople to buy us a (virtual) coffee as a one-time donation or recurring monthly membership.

Antonia Bruce is a UK-based artist who has worked across many mediums over the years, including drawing and painting. When she was faced with having to stay off her feet for a while due to a medical issue, two special dogs came into her life. Hal and Isla were a pair of fox hounds, who were not easy to train. But as Antonia started to slowly walk again as the puppies were learning to, they kept ramping up activity together – eventually both reaching normal levels. In addition to motivating her on a physical and mental side, the fox hound breed became a subject of artistic inspiration for Antonia in her drawings. For more information about the episode, guest, and featured social media or links: www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/antonia-bruce - If you liked this episode, then please support our Independent podcast production, go to www.buymeacoffee.com/dogpeople to buy us a (virtual) coffee as a one-time donation or recurring monthly membership.

Richard Mercer facilitates a pet loss support group for the Humane Society of Boulder Valley, where he helps those working through their grief. Through his time working with those struggling to process and move forward, Richard has learned how to guide people along their journey. He realizes and stresses that everyone heals differently, and on varying timelines. Certain practices, however, can typically be beneficial for most – such as looking at how we frame the memories of our dogs for the past and future. These pet loss support groups can also provide a crucial sense of community when people can feel alone. For more information about the episode, guest, and featured social media or links: www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/richard-mercer - If you liked this episode, then please support our Independent podcast production, go to www.buymeacoffee.com/dogpeople to buy us a (virtual) coffee as a one-time donation or recurring monthly membership.

Margot Guralnick works as the Architecture and Interiors Editor at Remodelista for her day job, but she also discovered a personal artistic outlet through Enrique, her dog. As they would go for their walks in the neighborhood of The Bronx, and being forced to go at a slower pace due to constant sniffing, Margot started to see her surroundings in a new way and find little pieces of nature she thought were beautiful. When getting home, she would transform these into artistic collages to showcase her finds. This became Dog Walk Diary, her ongoing series that she shares on Instagram with the world. Along the way, not only did she find a new love for nature, but she finally understood how transformative dogs can be. For more information about the episode, guest, and featured social media or links: www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/margot-guralnick - If you liked this episode, then please support our Independent podcast production, go to www.buymeacoffee.com/dogpeople to buy us a (virtual) coffee as a one-time donation or recurring monthly membership.

Elli Frank is the Founder of Mr. Bones & Co, a nonprofit named in honor of her late dog, which focuses on helping out with more difficult dog rescue situations and in quality over quantity. A former guest on the show a few years ago, Elli recently set out on the first leg of the Tin Can Kennel Tour, where she listed her farm upstate for sale, got an airstream, and traveled across the U.S. with her own dogs. Along the way, they would stop at different rescue shelters for Elli to learn about their process, see how she could help any dogs they have, and figure out how to spread these ideas to the rescue community at large. They also stopped at national parks and Elli discovered a new perspective on what “home” really means to her. For more information about the episode, guest, and featured social media or links: www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/elli-frank-returns - If you liked this episode, then please support our Independent podcast production, go to www.buymeacoffee.com/dogpeople to buy us a (virtual) coffee as a one-time donation or recurring monthly membership.

Doug Mader is a triple board-certified veterinary specialist and has been a working vet for over 30 years. In his new book, The Vet at Noah's Ark, Doug writes about a year in his life in the 90's, living and working in inner city Los Angeles during the time of the Rodney King riots. Throughout his career, Doug’s work has impacted not only his relationships with animals, but with people as well – including his father, whose world was turned upside down when he got his own dog. For more information about the episode, guest, and featured social media or links: www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/doug-mader - If you liked this episode, then please support our Independent podcast production, go to www.buymeacoffee.com/dogpeople to buy us a (virtual) coffee as a one-time donation or recurring monthly membership.

Dr. Sharon Holland is a Professor in American Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she teaches a class on animal studies. She has written several books, with her work exploring areas of race, feminist, and queer theory. Her journey alongside animals during her life, and living with dogs at home, has informed her intimate perspective around animal studies. Through gaining true connection with all the species on our wonderful planet, Sharon believes we can better connect to our humanity and bring about justice. For more information about the episode, guest, and featured social media or links: www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/dr-sharon-holland - If you liked this episode, then please support our Independent podcast production, go to www.buymeacoffee.com/dogpeople to buy us a (virtual) coffee as a one-time donation or recurring monthly membership.

With his new movie, The Year of the Dog, filmmaker and actor Rob Grabow explores how hard the cycle of addiction can be to break. However, like the main character who Rob plays in the film, having a dog by your side can be an important relationship that has helped many people to stay accountable in their journey to sobriety. For more information about the episode, guest, and featured social media or links: www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/rob-grabow - If you liked this episode, then please support our Independent podcast production, go to www.buymeacoffee.com/dogpeople to buy us a (virtual) coffee as a one-time donation or recurring monthly membership.

After struggling with opening up to his parents about his sexuality, Kimo Pokini adopted his dog Jazz as an adult and found a new understanding about family and acceptance. Kimo is also the Co-Founder and Director of Development for Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering, which focuses on pet retention and keeping dogs with their people as much as possible to remain a family. For more information about the episode, guest, and featured social media or links: www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/kimo-pokini - If you liked this episode, then please support our Independent podcast production, go to www.buymeacoffee.com/dogpeople to buy us a (virtual) coffee as a one-time donation or recurring monthly membership.

Dr. Jessica Maricevic is the founder of Empathic Paws, an organization to help spread awareness and advocate for more therapy dogs to be brought into educational envrionments, with a focus on high schools in particular. As a teacher and a mother, and someone who has conducted studies on the topic, Jessica has a special understanding of how important social-emotional learning is for kids that age. Not only do these dogs not provide a distraction, they instead actually enhance the learning process and well-being of the students in incredibly powerful ways. For more information about the episode, guest, and featured social media or links: www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/dr-jessica-maricevic - If you liked this episode, then please support our Independent podcast production, go to www.buymeacoffee.com/dogpeople to buy us a (virtual) coffee as a one-time donation or recurring monthly membership.