Explore every episode of the podcast Every Pawprint! Every Story!
Dive into the complete episode list for Every Pawprint! Every Story!. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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What if Grief starts before Goodbye: with author Jayne Law
Grief can start while your pet is still breathing and that’s the part nobody prepares you for. I sit down with Jane, founder of saudade paws and author of A Field Guide for Pet Caregivers, to talk about anticipatory grief, caregiver fatigue, and the strange mix of love and panic that can take over when a dog’s health turns fast.
Jane shares the story of Bella, her “queen” of a rescue, and what it felt like to watch symptoms escalate while traveling in France. We talk about the moment many pet parents recognize too late: you can be doing everything “right” and still feel isolated, powerless, and exhausted. Jane also explains why giving your pet permission to let go can be an act of kindness, not surrender.
Then we move into Bubbles, a senior mini poodle with complex medical issues, and the decision to choose at home euthanasia. Jane speaks openly about fear, guilt, and the practical realities people rarely discuss, like what happens right after death, how cremation is handled, and why those details can leave lasting scars. When we educate ourselves about pet hospice and end of life care, we can make better decisions out of love and not fear, and we can grieve with less regret.
If you’ve ever questioned yourself after a loss, this conversation is for you. Subscribe for more stories of pet loss support, share this with someone who’s caring for an aging pet, and leave a review with the one thing you wish every caregiver knew.
A tiny Yorkie named Jazzy was so small she could “fit in a teacup,” and the people who handed her over warned she might not make it past a year. She made it to nine, and she did it with the kind of energy that makes you rethink what “a full life” really means. Terry joins me to tell Jazzy’s story, from the everyday sweetness of walks, treats, and sleeping curled under an arm to the sudden night everything changed and an emergency vet visit revealed there was no easy fix.
We talk honestly about pet loss, euthanasia, and the messy reality of pet grief: the shock, the waiting, and the quiet moments when a photo pops up and you’re right back there. Terry shares why their family waited about a year before bringing home another dog, and how pictures, costumes, and simple rituals became a form of dog memorial that kept Jazzy present without pretending it didn’t hurt. If you’re searching for coping with pet loss tools that feel real, this one is grounded in lived experience.
The story expands to the dogs who are still here today: a 19-year-old rescue with “walkabouts,” a Cavalier King Charles with major health expenses and a surprising obsession with America’s Funniest Home Videos, and a younger pup who brings new life into the pack. We also explore something many listeners wonder about but don’t always say out loud: dogs grieve too, and sometimes they search for a missing friend as if they’re still out there somewhere.
If this conversation helps you feel seen, subscribe, share it with someone who’s missing a pet, and leave a review so more grieving pet parents can find the show. What’s one small memory of your pet that still makes you smile?
A big-hearted rescue sprinted out a front door and into Angela’s arms, and from that moment Oliver seemed to collect memories the way dogs collect sand: everywhere, all at once. We trade muddy dog-park chaos, driftwood trophies, and keys lost to the Atlantic for something deeper—how rituals stitch love into the everyday, and how those same rituals become lifelines when we face the unthinkable.
We walk through two very different goodbyes. Zack, the blue-eyed border collie who chose dignity to the last step, padding into the rainbow room on his own terms. Oliver’s path was harder. That fracture sparked Angela’s book, The Furry Mortals: The Oliver Project—part memoir, part field guide for compassionate endings and honest grief.
Along the way we share practical tools. Most of all, we lean into radical self-awareness: decisions made with love are valid, whether you can stay in the room or need to step out. And because love rarely ends where a life does, we talk about Zander finding his spark again when Oswald—a black lab mix who literally ran into their path—joined the family, with Murphy the snowshoe cat grooming her pack as if to seal the bond.
If you’ve ever loved a pet and wrestled with the clock, this conversation offers language, courage, and a way forward. Listen, share it with someone who needs steady ground, and if it helps you breathe a little easier, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us the ritual that keeps your pet close.
This episode is a reunion two decades in the making. Scott and I reconnected after 20 years, only to discover that our shared love for pets had shaped our lives in parallel ways.
Scott grew up in a home where dogs weren’t just welcomed — they were drawn in. His parents bred Nordic dogs, strays wandered in like they belonged, and the yard was always alive with movement, personality, and unforgettable names like Thunder, Thor, and Pepsi.
He also shares the tender story of losing Axle, the small dog who surprised him with a love so steady it helped him through pain, travel, and healing. Scott’s reflections remind us that every pet leaves a legacy — and that their joy stays with us long after they’re gone.
In this episode, I sit down with Derek from Southern California as he opens his heart about Piper — his running partner, his first “child,” and the soul who shaped his family long before his two kids arrived. Piper passed away on Christmas Eve 2025, leaving behind a depth of grief Derek never expected.
He shares stories of their long runs together, the joyful sprint to the finish they always raced, and the beach days where Piper would tease him with her favorite game: catch me if you can. And in one of the most moving moments, Derek describes Piper’s final breath — resting on his chest, exactly the way he had imagined their goodbye after fifteen years of love, loyalty, and life lived side by side.
This conversation is a reminder that when a pet becomes family, their absence echoes in every corner of our lives — and their memory becomes a compass for how we keep moving forward.
To order a copy of the book -> https://pawpads.pet/pawprints
And if you'd like to share your story send me an email: popovic@mindspring.com
What happens when you interview someone who’s had dogs for 30+ years? You get belly laughs, tender moments, and at least one story that makes you say, “Only a dog could cause that.” Mic from Chicago brings all of it — the love, the loss, and the comedy — proving that our pets never really leave us. Their stories just get better with time.
Purchase the book that inspired this podcast -> https://pawpads.pet/pawprints
Send me a comment, I would love to interview you and your family in telling your stories around the bond you have with your furkid(s).
In this touching episode, Dan welcomes Jean from Jefferson, Georgia, who opens her heart to share the story of the pets who shaped her life and the grief that followed their loss. Jean reflects on the joy, the routines, and the quiet moments that became cherished memories — and how losing her beloved companion changed her in ways she didn’t expect.
What makes Jean’s story especially powerful is the way her former employer recognized her grief and responded with empathy. She describes the moment someone at work truly saw her pain, offered support, and made space for her healing — a rare and meaningful example of what compassionate workplaces can look like.
This conversation is a reminder that pet grief is real, it’s valid, and it deserves acknowledgment. Jean’s honesty and warmth invite listeners to reflect on their own stories, their own losses, and the people who helped them through.
If Jean’s story resonates with you, consider sharing this episode with someone who might need it — and reach out if you’d like to share your own story on the show. Every pawprint matters. Every story matters.
In this heartfelt first episode, host Dan Popovic introduces Every Pawprint. Every Story. — a podcast dedicated to honoring the deep bonds we share with our pets and the grief that follows when they’re gone.
Dan shares his personal journey through pet loss and how writing his book became a healing process. He offers a glimpse into the five insights from 2025 that are shaping how we approach pet grief in 2026, beginning with the powerful recognition of pet loss as a legitimate mental health issue.
Link to download book -> https://pawpads.pet/pawprints
You’ll hear reflections from recent conversations with families navigating aging pets, stories shared by radio personalities, and the growing wave of social media tributes that show just how universal — and underacknowledged — this grief truly is.
This episode sets the tone for what’s to come: real stories from families, emotional honesty, and a community built around remembrance and healing.
Subscribe, share, and reach out if you’d like to be interviewed. Your story matters.
Eight dogs at once sounds impossible until you hear how it happens. Tina Frausto joins me to tell the story of building a real “pack” over years of rescue, breeder dogs, and competitive training, and what that daily life teaches you about leadership, routines, and the weird little quirks that make each dog feel like a full person in fur. If you’ve ever wondered how obedience training actually works in the real world, Tina breaks it down in plain language, from positive reinforcement to the way a group of dogs naturally sets boundaries.
Then things get wild in the best way. A call from an animal wrangler pulls Tina and her golden retriever into the film industry, where hand signals become a secret weapon on set. We talk about why silent cues matter for commercials and movies, what it’s like watching a production crew work, and how a dog can become the “star” that everyone recognizes before the handler does. It’s a fun reminder that dog sports skills can lead to unexpected adventures.
But this conversation also goes where pet owners live when the house gets quiet. Tina shares the recent loss of Carson and the painful reality that even the best plan for a calm goodbye can change fast. She also opens up about losing Whiskey, her heart dog, suddenly and without warning, and what it took to make peace with a grief that doesn’t follow logic. If you’re moving through pet loss, pet grief, or anticipatory grief right now, you’ll hear language that makes space for the love and the mess of it.
Subscribe for more stories of love and loss, share this with someone who misses a pet, and leave a review so more grieving pet parents can find us.
A tiny chihuahua with a big heart can change the shape of your days, especially when your life is packed with long shifts, stress, and responsibility. I sit down with Agustina, an Argentinian doctor living in Brazil, to talk about Gavin and the kind of companionship that doesn’t just make you smile, it steadies you. If you’ve ever felt that quiet emptiness after coming home, or wondered whether you’re “doing enough” for your dog, you’ll recognize yourself in this story.
We move from the practical to the unforgettable: dog daycare during residency, a chihuahua who wants constant human contact, and the surprising reality that this little guy has traveled to the Amazon. Agustina shares what it was like spotting an alligator on a walk and deciding, instantly, that Gavin is safest in her arms. Then we shift to beach life, where Gavin runs for miles, loves sun and sand, and treats ocean water like a personal enemy.
We also go deeper into pet grief and coping with pet loss. Agustina reflects on the dogs she loved before Gavin, including a German shepherd and a Rottweiler who helped her family feel protected, plus Uma, the “mystery breed” she adopted on a whim during medical school. The theme that keeps coming back is simple: grief hurts because the love was real, and peace comes from knowing you gave them a full life.
Finally, we talk animal-assisted therapy and why dogs belong in healing spaces. Agustina describes therapy dogs visiting children during chemotherapy and how a calm, kind dog can bring a moment of normal life back to a hospital room.
Subscribe for more pet stories, share this with someone who misses a furry friend, and leave a review with one memory you never want to forget.
One day you’re chasing summit views with your dogs, and the next you’re learning how to measure a “good day” in snuggles, appetite, and the willingness to hop out of the car. We talk with Dane' about her two doodle dogs, Daisy and Luka, and how an adventure-filled life on Washington hiking trails turns into something quieter but even more meaningful when health scares arrive.
Dane' shares the origin story: adopting Daisy after the loss of a beloved cat, realizing how much a first dog can change your routines, your confidence, and even your ability to connect with people. We swap trail memories, from a frozen moment with two massive elk to Daisy sliding down a snowy slope like she’s on an escalator. We also dig into what makes hiking with dogs work long-term: thoughtful training, reliable recall, pacing on steep terrain, and choosing trail partners who respect the decision to turn back.
Then the conversation gets real about senior dog care and anticipatory pet grief. Daisy’s primary hyperparathyroidism and Luka’s gallbladder bring hard questions about testing, medication side effects, surgery, comfort, and what “best” means when time and energy are limited. Dane' talks about building a support network, carrying emergency harnesses, staying closer to help, and noticing how dogs reflect our emotions when we’re stressed. We close on a hopeful note with the joy of deeper bonding and even exploring animal communication as a way to stay present.
If you love dogs, hike with your pup, or are navigating end-of-life care and caregiver fatigue, you’ll find practical insights and a lot of heart here.
Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more pet parents can find this community.
We talk through what happened when a whole food dog diet replaced processed routines, how that shift changed Kalinda’s mobility, weight, and quality of life, and why Marissa now thinks “fine” is not the same as thriving for our pets. If you care about canine nutrition, dog wellness, and practical ways to extend the healthy years, this conversation gets specific without getting preachy.
Then we zoom out to the travel problem almost every pet parent dreads. International pet travel is a logistical minefield: airline pet policies, country-by-country regulations, breed restrictions, layover edge cases, timelines, health certificates, and the stress of not knowing what you might be missing. Marissa shares the real moments that pushed her to build Paws Abroad, a pet travel platform that offers a digital pet passport for records, personalized journey guides, and a flight marketplace that recommends routes based on your pet’s details. We also talk about pet-friendly travel resources, community, and why better infrastructure matters when pets are family.
The story gets more personal as we touch on pet loss and the regrets that can follow, including Marissa’s memories of her childhood dog Shadow and how grief reshaped the way she spends time with Harley and Kalinda now. If you’ve ever wondered how to care better today while planning for tomorrow, you’ll leave with concrete ideas and a renewed push to make the most of the time you have.
A family dog can be a playmate, a steady routine, and sometimes the calmest kind of therapy, all before we ever realize what’s happening. I sit down with, Dibya Tripathi from North Carolina, to talk about the pets that shaped her life and the love that stays after pet loss. From the start, we keep it real about why pet grief matters and why mourning a dog deserves the same respect we give any family loss.
Dibya takes us from Nepal, where she grew up with a massive Tibetan Mastiff, to building a home with Mogli, a Yellow Labrador she and her husband adopted soon after getting married. We get into the hands on side of dog ownership and puppy training, plus the cultural rituals that celebrate dogs as loyal companions. Then the story deepens into what Mogli meant to her children, including her older son on the autism spectrum, and how a pet’s presence can help a child settle, connect, and feel safe.
We also walk through the hardest chapter: Mogli’s cancer diagnosis, the decision to try surgery, and the grief and hindsight that follows. Dibya shares how her family honors him today through memorial rituals like an engraved paw print, a photo blanket, and a wind chime that keeps his name in the air. And just when you think the heart can’t open again, we meet Kobe, their Wire Fox Terrier named after Kobe Bryant, bringing laughter, mischief, and a new season of love.
If you’ve ever searched for pet loss support, coping with dog grief, or how to memorialize a pet, this conversation will land. Subscribe, share this with a friend who misses their pet, and leave a review with the small moment you never want to forget.
A squirrel can steal a dog’s attention in a second, but it’s nothing compared to the moment a family realizes love also comes with responsibility at the end of a pet’s life. Jenny joins me from Manchester to share stories about Maple, their cavapoo, from her changing coat color and “lead of shame” walks to the very real work of building better choices for pet parents when quality of life starts to slip.
We talk candidly about at-home euthanasia for dogs and cats and why a familiar home environment can help a pet stay calmer through their final moments. Jenny explains how home visits can support the whole household, including other pets who may need the chance to understand what happened, instead of searching for a companion who suddenly disappears. We also dig into the human side: guilt, harsh self-talk, and the heavy question almost everyone asks but nobody feels ready for, how do you know when it’s time.
A big theme is education and planning. Jenny shares why so many families wait for an unmistakable “sign,” how end-of-life often becomes urgent, and what quality-of-life markers matter most, like eating, drinking, breathing, toileting, mobility, and basic comfort. If you’ve ever worried about pet grief, anticipatory grief, or making the “right” call, this conversation offers practical language, grounded guidance, and compassion without sugarcoating reality.
If you have any other questions at all or need any additional information, please check out the following link.
Your dog suddenly looks dizzy, can’t keep their balance, and the whole thing feels like it comes out of nowhere. That’s where our conversation with Lauren begins, with a real-life look at vestibular disease in dogs and why it can appear terrifying while still being something many dogs recover from with rest, careful management, and the right veterinary follow-up. We also talk about what it means to care for a sensitive dog when stress and excitement can make symptoms worse, and how to keep your home and routines supportive while you wait for healing.
From there, we step into the harder topic that so many families face in silence: reactive dog behavior. Lauren shares the story of her German Shepherd Zeus, how a single off-leash attack changed his relationship with the world, and how confusing it was to find trustworthy guidance. We get specific about humane dog training, positive reinforcement, and why “quick fixes” can backfire when a dog is operating from fear. If you’ve ever felt isolated because your dog barks, lunges, or locks in on triggers, this conversation puts language and empathy around that experience.
Lauren also offers practical tools you can try, including simple attention exercises that build focus and create safer “exit strategies” before a dog goes over threshold. We close with a grounded, honest reflection on pet loss grief: there is no deadline, and the pain can be part of how you honor the bond you had.
If this resonates, subscribe, share this with a fellow pet parent, and leave a review so more families can find support. What’s one thing you wish someone had told you sooner about your dog’s behavior or your grief?
A rescue dog found on the side of the road can change the whole direction of a life, and Nicole’s story makes that feel real in the most personal way. I sat down with Nicole to talk about Dega, her “NASCAR dog from Alabama,” and how a sassy, tennis-ball-obsessed rescue became her constant through high school, COVID isolation, college transitions, and the jump into adulthood. We get into the everyday details that make dog companionship so powerful: the routines, the walks, the social connections, and the quiet comfort of coming home to a best friend who never keeps score.
Nicole also challenges the idea that younger adults aren’t into pets. From her perspective, many Gen Z pet owners are leaning into therapy, mental health awareness, and intentional responsibility while delaying big milestones like having kids. That blend makes “furkids” more than a trend. It’s structure, purpose, and a kind of unconditional love that shows up whether your hair is clean, your apartment is messy, or your day fell apart.
Then comes Dale, her new rescue puppy from Wet Nose Rescue in Blue Ridge, Georgia, adopted at eight weeks old right before senior finals. We talk crate training, potty training, the exhaustion of those early mornings, and why the puppy stage can be both tender and intense. Nicole also shares what she learned growing up with many dogs, including early experiences with pet loss, and how she’s preparing to manage dog care as she starts her hybrid job at Equifax, from vetting dog walkers to building a realistic schedule.
If you love rescue dog stories, pet parenting honesty, and conversations about dogs and mental health, you’ll want to hear this one. Subscribe, share it with a fellow dog person, and leave a review telling us: what has your dog helped you survive or become?
A dog can change your entire life and then break your heart on the way out. I sit down with John in Seattle to trace that full arc, from the goofy, everyday moments of raising a young English Labrador named James to the deeper story behind his full name: James Charles, a quiet tribute to Charlie, the Labrador John lost after 12 years together.
We talk about how James came into the family only after a year and a half of healing, and why “ready” looks different for everyone after pet loss. John shares what he learned from doing the work up front: researching breeders, focusing on temperament and health, and recognizing that rare moment when a puppy seems to pick you. Along the way, we swap the kind of real-life dog stories every owner knows, from bathroom quirks to the relief of a puppy who simply is not that destructive.
Then we go back to Charlie. John describes bringing him home during grad school, learning dog ownership on the fly, and eventually bringing Charlie into a special education classroom as a beloved classroom dog. We also get honest about the hard part: hemangiosarcoma, an emergency splenectomy, the agony of waiting for biopsy results, and the overwhelming menu of cancer treatment decisions, including chemotherapy options and quality-of-life tradeoffs. The conversation stays grounded in what matters most: comfort, dignity, enrichment through “search and sniff” games, and the honor of being there through the very end, including at-home euthanasia.
If you’re navigating pet grief, dog cancer, euthanasia decisions, or the question of when to adopt again, you’re not alone. Subscribe, share this with someone who misses a pet today, leave a review, and tell us this: what helps you keep their love close?
A rescue dog who arrives broken, a cattle dog genius who never stops working, and a black lab who turns every day into a reason to play. That’s where our conversation with Angie begins, and it quickly becomes something bigger: a clear-eyed look at why the love we build with pets can reshape an entire life.
We talk about Indy, Angie’s black lab named after Indiana Jones, and how she became part of the family after being unable to compete as a show dog. Then we zoom into Nyah, an Australian cattle dog with a mind that seems almost human: opening doors, solving puzzles instantly, launching for Frisbees, and shadowing her people like a true Velcro dog. If you’ve ever lived with a high-drive working breed, you’ll recognize the mix of awe, laughter, and exhaustion.
From there, the story turns to pet loss and pet bereavement in the most honest way: Ozzy’s rescue and rehabilitation, his sudden passing after what seems like a stroke or heart event, and the tender memory of a little girl whispering into an old dog’s ear. Angie also shares Nyah’s rapid decline, the medical unknowns, and the moment the vet makes it clear she’s dying. We talk about the hard choice of euthanasia, the guilt that can follow, and the reminder many of us need: grief is real, grief is normal, and grief is not linear.
We end on something hopeful: Angie’s children’s book series, The Adventures of Liv and Indy: You Make the Call, a nine-book choose-your-own-adventure style collection where Indy helps solve mysteries and other beloved dogs live on as characters.
Click the following link to find the book series -> Liv and Indy
If this episode helps you feel less alone, subscribe, share it with a fellow pet lover, and leave a review so more people can find this kind of support.
Pet loss can knock you flat, and what hurts most isn’t only the goodbye, it’s how quiet the world can get afterward. I sit down with Koryn in Toronto to talk about the love that rescue animals bring, the trauma they can carry, and the kind of grief that follows when they’re gone.
Koryn introduces her current “furkids” Lenny, an 85-pound German Shepherd Australian Kelpie mix with a sweet, chaotic spirit, and Zelda, a tiny Turkish Angora cat who runs her day like a sundial. Then we go deeper into Georgia’s story, a Husky Shepherd Collie rescue who survived abuse, took her time choosing trust, and eventually became the heartbeat behind Koryn's work. We unpack what it really looks like to help a shutdown rescue dog settle in, why small moments can become lifelong memories, and how a pet can inspire a complete career shift, including the creation of Urban Dog Walks.
We also name what so many people feel but don’t have words for: anticipatory grief, caregiver fatigue, and the pressure of sudden end-of-life decisions. Koryn shares how Georgia’s emergency loss revealed a painful gap in pet bereavement support, and how that experience led her to build The Parted Paw, a pet loss grief and bereavement support company so no one has to feel alone. If you’re coping with an aging pet, grieving a dog or cat, or searching for real pet loss support, you’ll leave with language, validation, and practical perspective.
To learn more about Koryn's work check out her website -> The Parted Paw
If this conversation helps, subscribe for more stories, share it with a friend who’s hurting, and leave a review so more pet parents can find this community.
Your pets don’t just live in your home. They live in your calendar, your nervous system, and the tiny rituals that shape a day. Dan sits down with Jill in Dover, Delaware to talk about a life filled with rescued cats, surprise “drive-bys” on camera, and the kind of pet bond that feels funny and ordinary right up until it becomes sacred.
We swap stories about Noodlebean the dilute calico content-creation sidekick, Mittens the carport kitten turned troublemaker, Ming the unmistakable Scottish fold, and Salem the “grandkitty” who proves how fast an adoption can become a best-friend situation. Jill also shares practical, lived experience from a busy multi-cat household, including what helps when cats compete for dominance and why consistency matters when you’re trying to reduce stress.
Then the conversation turns. Jill opens up about losing Adora, a pit bull lab mix, after an advanced lymphoma diagnosis. We talk through the moment the lymph nodes didn’t feel right, the realities of dog cancer treatment costs, what steroid treatment can and can’t do, and how a family makes end-of-life decisions before suffering takes over. There’s grief here, but there’s also clarity: keep talking about your pet, build a memorial shelf, use journaling for kids, and let the love stay visible.
If you’re navigating pet loss, pet grief, or anticipatory grief, this one will meet you where you are. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more pet parents can find these stories.
Your pet can look “fine” one minute and be in real danger the next. That whiplash is exactly what we get into with Dr. Jessica Corley, an ER veterinarian and medical director with VEG ER, as we talk about the moments that shape families, the animals who become our heart companions, and the split second decisions that can change an outcome.
We start with Dr. Corley’s own furkids and the unexpected ways they trained her as much as she trained them, from Nino the dog like cat to Pixel the “ray of sunshine” she holds onto when the work gets heavy. We also talk openly about pet loss and grief, including Mia’s kidney disease and Onyx’s sudden cancer related bleed, plus what pre grieving looks like when you can sense change before it’s obvious.
Then we go deep on emergency vet reality through our story with Marley and, later, Marshall’s GDV bloat. We break down what GDV is, why time is everything, what helped Marshall make it to surgery, and what pet owners should watch for when their dog is pacing, uncomfortable, or acting “not right.” Dr. Corley also shares the most common emergency surgeries she sees, how the VEG model supports families during crisis, and why compassion fatigue is so common in veterinary medicine when love, limits, and money collide.
If this conversation helps you, subscribe, share it with a fellow pet parent, and leave a review so more families can find it when they need it most. What’s one pet emergency lesson you wish everyone knew?