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Episode 189 - The Dog Healers and War Dogs Remembered

189_DogCast_Radio.mp3

Released Sat November 11, 2017
Length: 1:06:22
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The Dog Healers

The Dog Healers, first it's unique in the sense that it's both nonfiction and fiction - mainly fiction though - and it's really an adventure story that has a spiritual journey connected to it.
 - Mark Winik

Mark Winik didn't think of himself as a writer, but after a holiday to Argentina, he was inspired to write The Dog Healers a novel. A mix of fiction and non-fiction, the novel has at its heart the magical relationship between dogs and humans, although it also explores the world of race horses, the plight of a woman in a male dominated world, and much more.

The Dog Healers now also has a community of dog lovers, with a thriving Facebook page. And if you want more, Mark's also bringing out cartoons, and working on a documentary! You can keep up to date via that Facebook page or the Dog Healers website.

War Dogs Remembered

What they did through world war two was such a variety of work. They used to carry messages, which of course were critical, therefore they had to cross country incredibly well. They actually pulled communication cables, they went onto an open battlefield with a first aid kit so soldiers could self-medicate.
 - Julia Robertson

With Remembrance Day this month, it's fitting to talk to Julia Robertson about the charity she founded called War Dogs Remembrance. The aim of the charity is to honour the work of dogs in war time, past and present, whatever country they came from. This interview may surprise you - for example, did you know that during World War II there was an appeal for pet dog owners to donate their dog to be trained for war work? What response did they get?  - listen and find out.

To find out more about War Dogs Remembered, visit their website or their Facebook page. To hear Julia's previous interview on DogCast Radio, talking about Galen therapy for dogs, listen to Episode 184.

News

We start off with the research which proves that humans empathise more with dogs than with other humans, and we also have the Aibo's return, the news that dog do lie awake worrying, and finish with three real-life dogs who got themselves into trouble but had happy endings.

Mischief

Mischief, Jenny's German Spitz puppy went to her first puppy class. So how did a tiny, fluffy scrap of a young dog cope with the demands of learning to sit, down and stand, all while mixing with much bigger dogs?

Sharing

281 - dog AITA and am I being unreasonable

In this podcast, host Julie considers a variety of Reddit AITA questions, and Am I Being Unreasonable from Mumsnet. We have stories of a puppy biting a child at a family get together, the pet sitting friend who took the dog to doggy daycare, the rescue dog defender feeling the pressure to meet up for dog walks, the sister who caused trouble when she said her sister's baby name sounded like a dog's name, the devoted owner who ducked out of his brother's wedding to care for his injured dog, an off lead dog causing issues and two alleged service dogs joining at the children's playground. Do you agree with Julie's take on all these canine conundrums?

189 - The Dog Healers and War Dogs Remembered

In this episode you can hear Mark Winik talk about his debut novel, The Dog Healers, and listen to Julia Robertson explain why she founded the charity War Dogs remembered. Plus there's the DogCast Radio News, and what Mischief the German Spitz puppy has been up to.

188 - Service Dogs UK and Roxie the Doxie Finds Her Forever Home

In this episode you can hear about Service Dogs UK, a fantastic charity which trains assistance dogs to support veterans of any service - military personnel, police, firefighters, paramedics and the coastguard - who develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to their job. Also, listen to Dr Jody A Dean, a clinical psychologist talk about how her book, Roxie the Doxie finds her Forever Home, is helping children understand and talk about adoption and other family issues. Plus the DogCast Radio News and some thoughts on the alpha dog myth.

187 - Muffins Halo and Chorley Fun Dog Show

In this episode you can hear about Muffin's Halo for Blind Dogs, and what motivates people to enter their dog in a fun dog show. In the DogCast Radio News, listen to stories about the latest dog related research. Plus there's a new member of the DogCast Radio team!

186 - Maxwell Muir on wolves

In this episode you can hear trainer, behaviourist, writer, broadcaster and wolf expert Maxwell Muir talk about what wolves mean to him personally, their plight in a modern world, and his hopes for their future. Plus we have the DogCast Radio News.