This week we're joined by film Director, Heidi Ewing, of Loki Films , chatting about Folktales the latest release. When modern life becomes too loud, a group of teens escape to the Arctic wilderness for an unconventional gap year. Guided by patient teachers and a pack of Alaskan huskies, they learn resilience and form meaningful connections with nature, animals, and one another. Set in northern Norway close to the Russian border, Folktales follows the journey of some teenagers on a’gap’ year at a traditional folk high school. Navigating the challenges of the remote environment, they must rely on themselves, each other, and a loyal pack of sled dogs.Folktales premiered to widespread critical acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival and will be released in UK and Irish cinemas on 5th December. See more about cinemas to see it in via Dogwoof Find out more here or follow on InstagramFollow Heidi on @heidiewingThank you to the good people at Antinol. We're super proud to be collaborating with them and you can enjoy at 10% discount on your purchase by using our promocode ANNAWEBB. Remember - you're supporting A Dog's Life by supporting our proud sponsor!If you want to switch to a raw diet for your dog, you can't do better than Paleo Ridge. Find out more here and follow them on @paleoridgeInstagram: @PaleoridgeFor more about Anna go to annawebb.co.ukMusic and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People ProductionsCover art by JaijoCover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits
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Dr Carly Ameen
This week we're joined by Bio-Archeologist, Dr Carly Ameen, who has been part of a team studying the emergence and diversification of dog morphology. Looking at the remarkable difference in over 600 dog’s skulls from as far back as 11,000 years ago, the team discovered a huge variety of skull shapes and sizes. This proves that dogs were very different from wolves at this point in time. But the missing link as to when wolves became dogs is still unclear. But this research confirms it was more than 11,000 years ago! The variety of skull shapes in what is generically termed a 'canid’ also dispels the myth that the Victorians created the range of dog breeds we see today. The extreme modern exaggeration of features was not apparent in the skulls analysed, but they do prove that dogs had been shaped, being created for the different purposes whether guarding, hunting, or simply being ‘lap dogs’. We chat about the Romans and how there are graves dedicated to dogs in the UK dating back to the Roman empire, again proving the huge impact dogs have had on our lives for centuries. The question of when wolves became dogs may never be answered as for many years the wolves - a strain of Grey Wolf, long extinct, would have remained as wolves for likely hundreds of years. before they changed shape. What we do know is that these early dogs saw something in us early humans that inspired them to become man’s best friend.Read the study hereThank you to the good people at Antinol. We're super proud to be collaborating with them and you can enjoy at 10% discount on your purchase by using our promocode ANNAWEBB. Remember - you're supporting A Dog's Life by supporting our proud sponsor!If you want to switch to a raw diet for your dog, you can't do better than Paleo Ridge. Find out more here and follow them on @paleoridgeInstagram: @PaleoridgeFor more about Anna go to annawebb.co.ukMusic and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People ProductionsCover art by JaijoCover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits
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Pre-nups for Pets
This week we're joined by Solicitor, Ben Evans from Co-Op Legal Services who is talking about why lawyers are recommending that couples think about a ‘Pet-Nup’ agreement when taking on a pup. With 42% of all marriages in the UK ending in divorce, it’s not uncommon for the dog to be caught up in the break up.Ben explains he has seen dogs used in ‘psychological warfare‘ in acrimonious circumstances.Apart from being very costly to take the custody case to the courts, this stress and negative emotion oftentimes does not have the welfare of the dog in mind.Instead lawyers recommend to be better safe than sorry, by thinking ahead, being mature to make plans in the event of a split. Not least to think like a dog and try and work through communication positively to make the difficult situation easier.Going through the courts is made complicated as despite the Animal Welfare Act 2022 defining animals as sentients, the fact remain that in family law, pets are still labelled as chattel, a possession like a car or a fridge freezer. Until this disparity in law is bridged resolving custody can be complex and often based on the name attributed to the pet’s microchip rather than to the person that could offer the best care for the pet. Find out more about here. If you want to switch to a raw diet for your dog, you can't do better than Paleo Ridge. Find out more here and follow them on @paleoridgeInstagram: @PaleoridgeThank you to the good people at Antinol. We're super proud to be collaborating with them and you can enjoy at 10% discount on your purchase by using our promocode ANNAWEBB. Remember - you're supporting A Dog's Life by supporting our proud sponsor!For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.ukMusic and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People ProductionsCover art by JaijoCover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits
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Esther Logue from Paleo Ridge on Senior Dogs
This week we’re joined by Esther Logue, Content and Communications Manager at Paleo Ridge, catching up on the latest developments at one of the UK’s fastest growing raw food brands.We chat about the huge expansion of the raw feeding sector in the last decade and how the company has doubled in size in the last five years to adapt to this growing demand from an expanding customer base. Announcing the firm’s new semi-automated production facility, which is a huge investment that underpins the brand’s long-term commitment to improving product availability, maintaining stock levels, exceptional quality standards and supporting its growing network of retail and trade partners.We chat about the introduction of new lifestyle ranges in Puppy and Senior in the PaleoPlus range as being tailored to specific needs, and the first to contain Reishi mushroom tincture. More than that we talk about why feeding dogs as nature intended fuels the immune system, and provides cellular energy that promotes natural health and vitality. If you want to switch to a raw diet for your dog, you can't do better than Paleo Ridge. Find out more here and follow them on @paleoridgeInstagram: @PaleoridgeThank you to the good people at Antinol. We're super proud to be collaborating with them and you can enjoy at 10% discount on your purchase by using our promocode ANNAWEBB. Remember - you're supporting A Dog's Life by supporting our proud sponsor!For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.ukMusic and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People ProductionsCover art by JaijoCover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits
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Joe Bagley the House Plant Doctor
This week Anna chats to the ‘House Plant Doctor, Joe Bagley, on the huge benefits of bringing house plants into our homes, adding that important Vitamin G - for green! More than a third (36%) of people say they miss the greenery outdoors during autumn and winter, while 65% spend more time inside and as little as 5% of people go outside for leisure multiple times a day between the months of November and February, according to new research by the Plants & Flowers Foundation Holland.Similarly dogs have more limited time to enjoy daylight and outdoors too, and while SAD syndrome isn’t considered something our pets suffer from, but the effects of being indoors more with centrally heated environments can take its toll on our dogs.With indoor environments considered 3.5 times more toxic than outdoors, breathing in household cleaning volatile compounds, dust particles and more , adding plants can help balance indoor air quality with over 52% people agreeing houseplants improve overall wellbeing.For dogs they give an extra interest with natural odours to invibe along with helping reduce anxiety We chat about the best indoor plants that are non toxic to pets , even adding your own homegrown cat nip or cat grass for your kitty to nibble on. But overall why plants give us a real mental boost!Follow on InstagramThank you to the good people at Antinol. We're super proud to be collaborating with them and you can enjoy at 10% discount on your purchase by using our promocode ANNAWEBB. Remember - you're supporting A Dog's Life by supporting our proud sponsor!If you want to switch to a raw diet for your dog, you can't do better than Paleo Ridge. Find out more here and follow them on @paleoridgeInstagram: @PaleoridgeFor more about Anna go to annawebb.co.ukMusic and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People ProductionsCover art by JaijoCover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits
Dogs.
They’re companions, guardians, and much much more – they complete us. And they just might save us from ourselves.
Anna Webb explores all levels of modern dog ownership and brings to life why every dog is extraordinary.
She speaks to scientists and experts - people who have and are changing our understanding of dogs - on everything from emotional intelligence to nutrition to behaviour, delving deep into subjects like homeopathy, telepathic communication and the pet food scandal.
It's thought provoking, alternative, and not a little subversive.
Cover photo by @Gruffpawtraits
Listen to A Dog's Life with Anna Webb, The Calm Christmas Podcast with Beth Kempton and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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