Send us a text Are you ready to discover how rescued dogs are transforming the lives of veterans and first responders? In this eye-opening episode, I welcome back Connor Long, Operations Manager at Marley's Mutts Dog Rescue , to discuss their groundbreaking program, Troops N Tails . Connor shares his personal journey with equine therapy and how it inspired this innovative initiative. We explore how Troops and Tails bridges the gap between animal-assisted therapy and mental health support for vet...
Jun 23, 2025•45 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Send us a text Brian Vermeire and Kristina Hughes, founders of Frame Your Feline , return to the podcast to share their journey from creating innovative cat furniture to landing a spot on Shark Tank . • Frame Your Feline offers wall-mounted frames that cats naturally jump into, becoming "living masterpieces" • Traditional cat furniture takes up floor space and often looks unattractive in homes • Their frames provide cats with vertical space while maintaining home aesthetics • Only 100 businesses...
Apr 21, 2025•51 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Send us a text Melissa Brunson, Executive Director of Marley's Mutts Dog Rescue , returns to share critical updates on animal welfare in Southern California where shelters are facing overwhelming challenges. Kern County's 40% euthanasia rate reflects a system in crisis where happy, healthy dogs are being euthanized simply due to lack of space. Ways to help: Donate to Marley's Mutts, Follow on Facebook , Follow on Instagram , and Subscribe to Marley's Mutts YouTube Channel . Some Episode Highligh...
Mar 21, 2025•58 min
Send us a text Welcome back to the Story of My Pet Podcast! After a brief hiatus, I'm thrilled to return with a fresh season filled with heartwarming pet stories and spotlights on remarkable animal organizations. As your host, Julie Marty-Pearson, I'm eager to share how this podcast has not only grown but also profoundly impacted my own life and the lives of countless animals. Over the past three years, this podcast has evolved from sharing personal pet anecdotes to becoming a platform for anima...
Jan 15, 2025•7 min
Send us a text Curious about how a blind golden retriever can change lives? Join us me, Julie Marty-Pearson, as I talk with Joanne George, who shares her incredible journey from being a veterinary technician to a passionate animal advocate and dog trainer. Discover the heartwarming story of Smiley, a golden retriever born without eyes, and how he overcame his challenges to become an inspirational therapy dog. Joanne recounts the early days of animal rescue before social media brought widespread ...
Jul 01, 2024•57 min•Season 3Ep. 46
Send us a text Join us on a captivating journey with John Garstang, a human-dog relationship coach whose life is a testament to the transformative power of the bond between humans and their canine friends. From the bustling streets of London to the sun-drenched Greek island of Rhodes, John's story unfolds, revealing his remarkable transition from daycare manager to a beacon of hope for shelter dogs in Zambia. As we navigate through his adventures, we uncover the essence of responsible pet owners...
May 25, 2024•32 min•Season 3Ep. 45
Send us a text There's something magical about lacing up your sneakers, clipping on a leash, and hitting the pavement with your furry best friend by your side. This episode is not just about the pride of crossing a 5K finish line. It's about the profound shift that occurs within us when grief catalyzes a journey toward better mental and physical health for you and your pet. Our pets truly are our biggest and best supporters. Joining your host, Julie Marty-Pearson, is guest Nita Sweeney, author a...
May 06, 2024•37 min•Season 3Ep. 44
Send us a text Join me, Julie Marty Pearson, as I cozy up with a heart full of gratitude and a treasure trove of tales to celebrate the second anniversary of The Story of My Pet podcast. I take you behind the scenes of my own adventures in animal rescue, revealing the joys and challenges of volunteering, fostering, and spreading the word on pet adoption and spay/neuter initiatives. With each narrative, we've woven a tapestry of love and advocacy for our four-legged friends, and now, I'm opening ...
May 02, 2024•16 min•Season 3Ep. 43
Send us a text Taking care of our pets is something most pet parents take great pride in; however, we don’t always plan for the “what if’s”. Thinking about what would happen to our pets if we were no longer able to care for them is SO important. Yet, no one wants to think about death and dying, but if something happened to you and you were in the hospital or worse, who will care for your pets? I, Julie Marty-Pearson, dive into this topic with my friend, fellow podcaster, and Fur Mom Rebecca John...
Apr 28, 2024•21 min•Season 3Ep. 42
Send us a text Sharing pet stories that inspire and empower others to help animals in need. Joining your host, Julie Marty-Pearson is Amy Castro, founder of Starlight Outreach and Rescue. Together, we weave through the emotional narrative of animal rescue. We remember the pets that have carved out special places in our hearts, and Amy walks us through the turning points that propelled her from a volunteer to the helm of her own rescue organization. This episode isn't just about the pets we've lo...
Apr 21, 2024•45 min•Season 3Ep. 41
Send us a text Host, Julie Marty-Pearson, often says our pets find us, and that isn't truer than for guest Tenny Minassian. Tenny's adopted canine companion, Lucy, inspired not only a profound personal transformation but also a children's book, "Lucy Goes to the Gentle Barn." Her tale is one of convincing traditional parents to open their home to a family pet, leading to an adventure of love and life lessons that resonate with any heart that has felt the warmth of a furry friend. Lucy’s tripe to...
Apr 12, 2024•40 min•Season 3Ep. 40
Send us a text Have you ever found yourself enchanted by the bond between a child and their pet, or moved by the joyous wag of a rescued dog's tail? Teresa Adamo and Jennifer Williams-Cordova, children's book authors with a knack for capturing the essence of these moments, join me for a conversation that's sure to inspire. Their tales, born from the companionship of pets like Indy, weave a tapestry of creativity and community spirit that finds a home in the hearts of families far and wide. Baker...
Mar 17, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 39
Send us a text Are you an Animal Lover? Then The Story of My Pet Podcast is for you! Come along as Pet Parents from around the world tell the stories of their believed pets, from rescue dogs to foster kittens, street cats to wild horses, and everywhere in between. This show shares heart-to-heart conversations about animals collected from amazing pet parents, animal supporters and rescue advocates. Learn about animal adoption, fostering, rescue, and volunteerism. Along with powerful discussions a...
Mar 17, 2024•2 min
Send us a text Ever imagined opening your home to a furry four-legged friend temporarily and profoundly impacting their lives and yours in return? In the latest episode of 'The Story of My Pet', we talk about all things cat fostering! We have an engaging chat with Sam Proof, a cat lover and a live streamer, who reveals how fostering cats and kittens can save lives and make space in shelters. Experience the whirlwind journey of fostering through Sam's stories and learn how his love for these ador...
Dec 15, 2023•35 min•Season 2Ep. 38
Send us a text Ever wondered about the joys and challenges of giving love and companionship to senior pets? Join us for the heartwarming journey of our special guest, Katie Shelby, who opened her heart and home to two senior dachshunds, Fred and Barney. Initially agreeing to foster these loveable seniors, Katie and her husband soon found themselves enchanted by their unique personalities and decided to adopt them. In this episode of The Story of My Pet, your host, Julie Marty-Pearson, chats with...
Dec 09, 2023•21 min•Season 2Ep. 37
Send us a text If you're an animal lover, particularly a dog enthusiast, then you will surely appreciate the profound love and inspiration author J Wynn Rousuck draws from our furry friends. Our latest podcast episode explores how her childhood experiences attending dog shows with her AKC judge father blossomed into a deep appreciation for dogs, influencing her life and her writing. Rousuck's narrative is rich with heartwarming tales of her adventures in the world of dogs. One particularly touch...
Nov 23, 2023•46 min•Season 2Ep. 36
Send us a text Have you thought about hiring a professional photographer to capture photos of you and your pets? Or do you want to learn how to take better photos of your pets? Well, we've got you covered! Listen as we explore the wonderful world of pet photography and how a good photo can make all the difference for a pet looking for a forever home. Meet Val Woodward, a pet photographer and animal rescue volunteer who's passion for rescuing and caring for animals is simply awe-inspiring. Val sh...
Nov 10, 2023•36 min•Season 2Ep. 35
Send us a text Ready to discover the heartwarming world of animal rescue and fostering? Want to learn more about how you can prepare to become an animal foster parent? Need training tips for your dog? We will be covering all of this and more in this episode, a treasure-trove of stories, tips, and insights for all animal lovers. The Story of My Pet Podcast host, Julie Marty-Pearson speaks with Courtney and Erin Clerico, of Foster Tales Rescue, a dog rescue non-profit organization in Kern County, ...
Nov 03, 2023•50 min•Season 2Ep. 34
Send us a text Ever wondered what it's like to foster a litter of kittens? Journey with me, your host, Julie Marty Pearson, as I share a deeply personal tale about my own adorable fur family. You'll hear about my experience raising six two-week-old kittens and the challenges that came with their round-the-clock care. But first, I’ll account the journey that lead me to fostering this litter and how a tiny kitten named Binx is the reason why I ended up at the shelter on the right day to help these...
Oct 19, 2023•38 min•Season 2Ep. 33
Send us a text Hear inspiring stories of rescued pets and insights into global animal welfare efforts. Lori Kalef, from SPCA International, joins us in part two of our interview, to discuss Apollo's Aid program, an initiative that has been a beacon of hope for military members relocating with their pets, and animals in war-torn regions. Navigating through heartwarming rescue tales, we explore the myriad challenges faced by these champions of animal welfare. Lori amplifies on the conundrum of fin...
Oct 11, 2023•29 min•Season 2Ep. 32
Send us a text One woman dedicating her life to advocate for animals around the world. In a heartfelt exchange, your host Julie Marty-Pearson sits down with Lori Kalef from SPCA International, who paints an evocative picture of her lifetime passion for animal welfare. From the tender age of 11, Lori began her journey in animal rescue, a path that eventually led her to a significant role at SPCA International. Her perspective sheds light on the immense global impact of organizations like SPCA, of...
Oct 10, 2023•28 min•Season 2Ep. 31
Send us a text Ever wondered how you can make a difference in the world of animal rescue? Join us as we walk into the shoes of Connor Long from Marley's Mutts Dog Rescue, an individual whose passion for animals is as infectious as it is inspiring. His journey from volunteering at an animal shelter to his current role in rescue work opens up an honest conversation about the challenging realities of shelters, and how these experiences have honed his dedication to animal rescue. As Connor shares hi...
Sep 27, 2023•48 min•Season 2Ep. 30
Send us a text Ready to hear heartwarming tales of pets from across the globe? This season on 'The Story of My Pet Podcast' we're going beyond the usual pet stories and taking a more proactive stance towards helping our furry friends. We are thrilled to introduce our listeners to incredible individuals whose devotion to animal rescues and shelters is making a real difference. They'll share the joys and challenges of their experiences on the frontlines, giving you a deeper understanding and perha...
Aug 24, 2023•3 min
Send us a text What happens when you combine a passion for cats, comedy, and creativity? You get Frame Your Feline, an innovative project by our guests, LA-based entrepreneurs, and stand-up comedians, Brian Vermeire and Kristina Hughes. As loving cat parents to seven rescues, they've designed a one-of-a-kind cat shelf featuring a genuine art frame that securely attaches to the wall. Once a cat jumps into the Feline Frame they become a work of living art! Not only are these Feline Frames aestheti...
May 26, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Send us a text Have you ever wondered how a simple passion for animals can turn into a life-changing journey? Join us as we chat with Melissa Brunson, Executive Director of Marley's Mutts Dog Rescue, and discover how her love for animals and desire to give back to the community led her to become an integral part of this impactful organization. Melissa shares her inspiring story of finding Marley's Mutts through social media and how she started off as a volunteer before rising to her current role...
Mar 09, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Send us a text Animal lovers, tune in to the latest episode of The Story of My Pet podcast to hear from our special guest, Amanda Sue Creasey! Amanda is a speculative fiction author, high school English teacher, outdoor writer, and dog-walking enthusiast, who has lived with animals since she was born. Hear about her journey, from the pug Bundle to her two rescue dogs, Nacho and Soda, and the heartwarming story of how they found her. To learn more about Amanda, check out her website and Instagram...
Mar 03, 2023•51 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Send us a text In the newest episode of The Story of My Pet Podcast you'll meet my guest Joyce A. Miller. Joyce adopted six racing greyhounds over the past twenty years and danced with several of them. Miller lives in the Church Hill section of Richmond, Virginia with her husband and her latest retired racing greyhound. Before she started writing, Miller worked for over 30 years as a mechanical designer at a nuclear physics laboratory. When she is not writing, Miller can be found dog-training, d...
Feb 24, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Send us a text Welcome to another episode of the Story of My Pet podcast! Today, I've been joined by Molly Kelsey from Auckland, New Zealand. Molly is an avid foster and former vet nurse who has worked with animals for over 10 years in companion animal practice and volunteering in both New Zealand and overseas. Last year, she completed her postgrad studies in feline behavior and now runs her own cat behavior consulting business. Molly lives with her partner and their rats, and in her free time, ...
Jan 19, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Send us a text In this episode, I talk about important ways to keep our pets involved and happy during the holidays. I also talk about how pets shouldn’t be gifts but rather important members of your family and lifelong commitments to care for. I also discuss the huge need for adoption and fostering during this time. My local animal shelter is Kern County Animal Services, located in Bakersfield, CA. To learn more about them and the services they provide, click the links below. https://www.kernco...
Dec 23, 2022•15 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Send us a text Emma Davis is the CEO and founder of Mikko's Choice, an animal rescuer and advocate, and an equestrian. She has a lifelong love of animals, and her first soul dog, a wolf hybrid named Mo and mustang Mikko have been the catalysts for her passion and advocacy. Emma has had a lifelong love of animals, which was kickstarted by her first rescue, a wolf hybrid named Mo. After initially meeting a wild mustang at the ranch she worked on, she fell off another horse and broke her back and h...
Dec 09, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 23
