The Pet Connection

Summer Pet Tips for Fun and Safety

Get ready for summer fun with your pet companions on this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Pet Connection” Show! Hosts Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, along with cohost Angela Laws from TrustedHousesitters, share essential pet care tips to help keep animals safe, cool, and comfortable during the hot weather.
The conversation covers everything from hydration and heat protection to backyard safety and wildlife awareness. You’ll also hear about the importance of knowing which plants are toxic, monitoring pets around pools, and taking precautions during fireworks. Plus, learn about the value of building strong relationships with pets and staying proactive in their care—especially in emergencies or extreme heat.
Top Summer Pet Safety Tips Covered in the Show:* Hydration is crucial—always ensure fresh water is available.* Pets can’t protect themselves; owners must stay vigilant.* Be prepared for natural disasters that may impact your pets.* Keep pets indoors during heatwaves and fireworks.* Know which backyard plants are harmful.* Always supervise pets near pools.* Wildlife encounters can be risky—stay alert.* Strong human-animal bonds enhance overall pet care.
Helpful Summer Pet Care Resources from TrustedHousesitters:* How to Keep Dogs Cool in Summer:https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/blog/pets/keeping-dogs-cool/ * Caring for Flat-faced Dogs in Summer:https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/blog/pets/flat-faced-dogs-in-summer/ * Dog Life Jackets to Keep Them Safe in the Water: https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/blog/pets/dog-life-jacket/ * Recipes for Frozen Treats for Dogs:https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/blog/pets/frozen-dog-treats-recipes/ 
🎧 Follow the Pet Connection Podcast: https://pet-connection.podbean.com/ 

Tales of Rescue: Dogs, Cats, Horses and Healing

In this heartwarming episode of Big Blend Radio's "Pet Connection" Show, we highlight inspiring rescue and adoption stories involving dogs, cats, horses — and even wildlife! You'll also get practical tips on how to bond with rescued animals and give them the loving care they deserve.
🎙️ ON THIS EPISODE:* Lisa Smith – The "daughter" half of Big Blend Radio & Magazine’s mother-daughter duo, Lisa is a full-time traveler and seasoned pet sitter. She shares stories from the road, pets she and Nancy have cared for, and touching wildlife rescues from Nancy's experiences.
* Angela Laws – A veteran pet sitter, grief counselor, and community manager at https://www.trustedhousesitters.com, Angela shares her horse rescue stories, advice on earning trust from rescue animals, and the value of pet sitters.
* Kathleen Walls – Travel writer, author, and passionate feral cat rescuer, Kathleen shares compelling tales of her feline companions, many of whom are featured in her books. Visit: https://katywalls.com/ 
Whether you're a lifelong pet lover or thinking about adopting a rescue, this episode is full of heartfelt stories and helpful guidance.
🐾 Listen to more episodes: https://pet-connection.podbean.com 

What is Your Horse Saying?

From a whinny to a nicker, this shared episode of Big Blend Radio’s “ABC’s of Horses” equestrian podcast with Christy Wood explores "horse noises," the fascinating world of horse vocalizations and what they mean.
Learn how to interpret different horse sounds, including variations in intensity and frequency. Is your horse expressing comfort, excitement, anxiety, or even attraction? Whether it's a call for food, a signal of distress, or playful flirting, understanding your horse’s sounds is key to building stronger communication and connection.
Christy Wood is a World Champion horse trainer, award-winning extreme trail competitor, and a carded judge for seven breed associations. She’s also an author, riding instructor, and the owner of Wood N Horse Training Stables in Three Rivers, California. Learn more about Christy and her equine services at https://wdnhorse.com. 
🎧 Tune in to new episodes of Big Blend Radio's “ABC’s of Horses” Podcast with Christy Wood every 2nd Saturday.📌 Listen to more episodes here: https://abcs-horses-christywood.podbean.com 

Life After Loss For Pets and Their People

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Pet Connection" Show focuses on life after loss for both pets and their humans.
 
ON THIS EPISODE:- Angela Laws, veteran pet sitter, grief counselor, and community manager at https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/
- Lea Brovedani, a certified end-of-life doula, also known as a death midwife. Listen to her "Soul Journey Doula" podcast series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm2cARmdtpFgKMM8Semws42Z&feature=shared
Follow the "Pet Connection" podcast at https://pet-connection.podbean.com/ 

Understanding and Caring for Mares

It's all about Understanding and Caring for Mares on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "ABC's of Horses" equestrian podcast with Christy Wood. 
Hear about attitude and disposition, emotions, performance, breeding and pregnancy, hormonal health, foaling and gestation, and so much more.
Christy Wood is a World Champion horse trainer, also exhibiting in jumping and trail. She is a winner in extreme trail obstacle challenges, and is a carded horse show judge with 7 breed associations. Along with being an author and instructor, she is the owner of Wood N Horse Training Stables in Three Rivers, California. Learn more about Christy, her equine services, and her books, at: https://wdnhorse.com/  
The "ABC's of Horses" Podcast with Christy Wood airs every 2nd Saturday. Listen to the latest episodes here: https://abcs-horses-christywood.podbean.com/  

Creating a Pet-Friendly Backyard

Celebrate National Backyard Day (March 19)  and the Start of Spring with this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Pet Connection" Show that focuses on ways to create a backyard that is pet-friendly. Hear about toxic plants, fencing tips, and basic needs like shade and water, and more. 
Big Blend Radio's PET CONNECTION Show is hosted by veteran pet sitters Nancy J Reid & Lisa Smith, the mother-daughter team behind Big Blend Radio & Magazines, and cohosted by Angela Laws, veteran pet sitter, and community manager at https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/  
Check out this veterinarian approved article about Poisonous Plants for Pets on the Trustedhousesitters blog:   https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/blog/pets/pretty-yet-poisonous-plants-for-dogs-to-avoid/  This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Big Daily Blend"  and "Garden Gossip" Podcast Channels. Follow the "Pet Connection" podcast at https://pet-connection.podbean.com/ 

Lunging Your Horse

It's all about Lunging Your Horse on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "ABC's of Horses" equestrian podcast with Christy Wood. Hear about what lunging is and why it is important, lunging positions, and the best gear and equipment for lunging.
Christy Wood is a World Champion horse trainer, also exhibiting in jumping and trail. She is a winner in extreme trail obstacle challenges, and is a carded horse show judge with 7 breed associations. Along with being an author and instructor, she is the owner of Wood N Horse Training Stables in Three Rivers, California. Learn more about Christy, her equine services, and her books, at: https://wdnhorse.com/  
The "ABC's of Horses" Podcast with Christy Wood airs every 2nd Saturday. Listen to the latest episodes here: https://abcs-horses-christywood.podbean.com/ 

Mark Rowlands - The Word of Dog

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Pet Connection" Show, Mark Rowlands talks about his new book, "The Word of Dog: What Our Canine Companions Can Teach Us About Living a Good Life" (Liveright; Jan 28, 2025). Here, Rowlands shows us we could do a lot better than we’re doing simply by listening to the unspoken wisdom our dogs reveal to us every day of their happy, uncomplicated lives.
Rowlands is professor and chair of the philosophy department at the University of Miami, a leading figure in the morality of animals, and author of twenty-three books on the philosophy of mind, the moral status of non-human animals, and cultural criticism. He is known within academic philosophy for his work on the animal mind and is one of the principal architects of the view known as vehicle externalism, or the extended mind, the view that thoughts, memories, desires and beliefs can be stored outside the brain and the skull. His works include Animal Rights (1998), The Body in Mind (1999), The Nature of Consciousness (2001), Animals Like Us (2002), and a personal memoir, The Philosopher and the Wolf (2008).
Big Blend Radio's PET CONNECTION Show is cohosted by Angela Laws, veteran pet sitter, and community manager at https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/   
This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Quality of Life" Podcast Channel. Follow the "Pet Connection" podcast at https://pet-connection.podbean.com/