Big Blend Radio’s "Pet Connection" show explores the magic of children’s literature, therapy dogs, and holiday traditions in New York City with special guest Andy Honda, MD, author of the "Koa’s Ruff Life" series. Andy shares how her real-life therapy dog, Koa, inspires her heartwarming stories—especially the newest book, "Koa’s Ruff Life: Christmas Time in New York City."

From Fifth Avenue’s iconic holiday windows to the Rockefeller Center Tree, Bryant Park Winter Village, The Rockettes, The Nutcracker, and more, this conversation reveals how Koa’s real-life adventures bring comfort, learning, and joy to children of all backgrounds. Co-host Angela Laws of TrustedHousesitters also joins the discussion, highlighting the importance of pet care, animal interaction, and emotional wellness in families and communities.

Learn more at:
🐾 Koa’s Ruff Life: https://www.koasrufflife.com
🐾 Andy Honda, MD: https://www.andyhondamd.com
🐾 TrustedHousesitters: https://www.trustedhousesitters.com
🎧 More “Pet Connection” episodes: https://pet-connection.podbean.com

🎙️This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio’s “Big Daily Blend,” "Quality of Life," and "Toast to The Arts" podcast channel. Explore the network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

Dogs, Children’s Books & Holiday Magic in NYC

This week on the show, Petrendologist Charlotte Reed talks with ASPCA’s veterinarian, Dr. Tina Wismer about holiday hazards; with Long Island University’s Dr. Jonathan Stockman about what you can give your pet to eat from the Thanksgiving table; and with John O’Hurley, Host of the National Dog Show presented by Purina. 

Nov. 22 - Thanksgiving and Pet Safety

Not afraid to admit I had to take several crying breaks while making this one. I just miss my boy so much. RIP Socrates

The Rainbow Bridge

The Wisconsin Humane Society, founded in 1879, is the oldest and largest shelter in the state, serving more than 40,000 animals every year across Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Brown, and Door Counties. With everything from adoptions and veterinary services to wildlife rehabilitation, youth programs, training classes, and community outreach, WHS truly does it all — and they do it without any general government funding. Brandi Iberia spoke with Angela Speed, here to talk about the work WHS is doing right now, how families can get involved, and what our community needs to know heading into the holiday season. 

Brandi Iberia talks to Angela Speed with the WI Humane Society

Best Pet Ground Transportation Services provide safe, comfortable, and reliable travel for pets of all sizes. With trained handlers, pet-friendly vehicles, and proper care during transit, we ensure pets stay calm, hydrated, and secure throughout the journey. From short trips to long-distance relocation, our services are designed to make pet transportation stress-free, convenient, and trustworthy for every pet parent.   visit here :  https://petprosservices.com/pet-ground-transportation/

Safe & Reliable Pet Ground Transportation Services

This week on The Pet Buzz, Petrendologist talks with Dr. Ibrahim Shokry, a retired professor of pharmacology and toxicology from  Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts, about holiday plants and flowers safety, as well as AAA’s Doug Shoupe about Holiday Pet Travel.

Nov. 29 - Holiday Plant Safety & Thanksgiving Travel

The Quiet Goodbye: Loving and Losing a Dog Later in Life 🐶💔

THE NOT OLD BETTER SHOW, ART OF LIVING INTERVIEW SERIES

🐶💔 Pets aren’t just animals — they’re family, especially in our later years. Their love is simple, pure, and steady — something we come to rely on in a world that changes quickly.

Today’s show is brought to you by Aura Frames. Aura Frames: the gift that brings your favorite holiday traditions and memories to life every day.

This week on The Not Old Better Show, we’re sharing a deeply emotional conversation with someone who recently said goodbye to their beloved dog. It’s a story of loyalty, quiet rituals, and the powerful silence that comes when a leash no longer leads to a wagging tail.  With the holidays approaching, grief can hit harder. But this episode offers comfort, reflection, and a reminder: love doesn’t end when life does.

You know, there are some goodbyes we never quite learn how to say.

For those of us in life’s later chapters, the love we give — and receive — from our pets often takes on a deeper, quieter meaning. They’re not just animals. They’re our companions in the long walks, the quiet nights, the joyful mornings. They don’t judge our age, our pace, or our past. They just stay, and in so doing they combat our epidemic of loneliness according to the US Surgeon General.

Today, on The Not Old Better Show – Art of Living series, we’re joined by someone who recently said goodbye to their beloved dog — a companion who offered years of loyalty, humor, and comfort.

It’s a story many of you will know well: the unspoken rituals, the tail thumps that meet you at the door, the warmth of a furry friend who somehow senses what you need before you even speak it. And then, the silence that follows when they’re gone.

But this conversation isn’t just about grief. It’s about gratitude. It’s about the meaning of companionship in older age — how a dog can fill a home, heal a heart, and remind us that we are never too old to love deeply, and be loved in return.



In all transparency, I know our guest, Mike Olsen, very well. I know the family. You’ll hear me mention Mike’s parents, who i know well, and Mike’s sons, Mike’s wife Sara, all dear friends. We’ll talk about Mike’s dog, Kirby, and pets in general. 

Stay with us — this one’s for every listener who’s ever held a paw, shared a look, or whispered goodbye through tears.


🎧 Listen to The Quiet Goodbye: Loving and Losing a Dog Later in Life right here on SoundCloud!
#NotOldBetter #SeniorPets #GriefSupport #PetMemories #Companionship #HealingThroughStories




The Quiet Goodbye: Loving and Losing a Dog Later in Life 🐶💔

We couldn't let Sophie R. move on from Listen Up! without one....last....nibble.

Listen Up! is proud to present Sophie's final single, "Peaches," to the world.  Special thanks to our former staff Torin for his support all the way through the creation, recording and mixing of the song.

There is simply too much to celebrate about Sophie to list here, so we'll leave you with her own words:

"I wrote this song about my guinea pig, Peaches.  Thank you, Torin, for your help making and recording this song with me.  I want to thank Listen Up! staff and clients for all of their support over the years.

I wrote this song because I love my guinea pig and she is my best pal.  Every time I pet her she purrs and turns into a pancake.  She loves her snacks and she likes to lick my hand sometimes.

I love you so much, Peaches, and I always will. I love being your mom."

Well said, Sophie, and a hearty congratulations for your song and all of your work at Listen Up! 

Peaches

This week on this show Petrendologist Charlotte Reed talks with Bryan Oglesby, the Director of PR and Outreach of the Better Business Bureau of West Florida, about purchasing that special holiday pet, and with Dr. Tina Wismer, the Medical Director of the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline, about holiday dangers.

Dec. 6 - Pet Gifts and Holiday Dangers

Made this track with Vegas 
made with ripped files from petz5  and moogmavis played by Onyx the sphynx cat climbing on a MIDI keyboard
sound effect credits:
Horse Gallop - Animal Sound FX: SimonProTV250
Whip Crack - One Shot FX: digitySfx
Eagle Scream FX: [SF]Yason

Alley Kat

Producer and jack-of-all-trades type out of Columbus, Ohio with a real collaborative spirit and a penchant for classic 90s boom bap. For ALL business inquiries please email me at musiqbrainchild@gmail.com

“The Pet Buzz,” hosted by Petrendologist Charlotte Reed is the ultimate in pet-centered radio shows. The Pet Buzz keeps you in the know and in the now for everything your pet needs, wants, and deserves. On the show, Reed talks with an incredible list of guests: veterinarians, pet industry specialists, celebrities, politicians, and other notable friends. Additionally, she creates special programming for the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes) and the Westminster Kennel Club Annual Dog Show—the two oldest sporting events in the United States.

Pet Pros Services is your trusted nationwide platform for safe, reliable, and stress-free pet transportation and care. From ground and air travel to Military Pet Relocation, rehoming assistance, and personalized in-home services, we make every step smooth for you and your pet. Discover professional support, compassionate care, and expert guidance all in one place. Whether you're moving, traveling, or simply need trusted pet services, our goal is to keep your pet safe, comfortable, and cared for at every moment.

Paul Taylor Vogelzang is an award-winning blogger, podcaster, writer, producer and style fanatic, known for his down to earth accessible reporting and advice for men and women 50 + age, and their families. Paul was one of the founding editors of MommyCast & MommyCast Latina, the wildly popular, very first mom podcasts in audio and video, and its producer from 2004 to 2009. Paul’s current, but also award winning podcast, The Not Old - Better Show launched in 2014. Paul continues to share vibrant, focused, entertaining content on the show, and writes frequently about the subjects of fashion, grooming and the “senior man.”  Paul lives just outside of Washington DC, with his lovely wife, Gretchen (also a MommyCast founder), and where the two of them are active in many arts, business and philanthrophic organizations, love to feed the Northern Wren, and are the parents of two sons.


Listen Up! Music is a Portland, Maine-based non-profit organization that supports musicians with intellectual uniqueness. At our Listen Up Studio location we record original songs, make movie soundtracks, and experiment with a variety of instruments.

Select Big Blend Radio interviews that are featured in the digital, interactive Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine. Hosted by Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, mother-daughter travel team and publishers.

New tracks tagged #Pets