Story of My Pet: Tales of Animal Rescue, Fostering & Adoption

61 episodes

Navigating Life with Animals: Insights on Animal Companionship
24/04/2026 | 49 mins.
Kristin on Animal Communication, Shelter Stress, and Seeing Animals for Who They Are
Host Julie Marty Pearson welcomes Kristin Hadley to The Story of My Pet to discuss Kristin’s lifelong love of animals, beginning with her first horse Snowbird, and her path to becoming a professional animal communicator. Kristen describes telepathy as a learnable, two-way language that helps animals and people understand needs, emotions, behavior, and wellness issues, and she shares how her background in speech language pathology and a message from her horse Woody led her to teach and consult professionally. They talk about shelter and foster stress, decompression time, breed bias, projections, and the importance of neutrality, clarity, and respect for animals’ boundaries. Kristin shares a foster case where understanding a dog’s purpose transformed behavior and highlights Akron Rescue Cats and Buddy’s Second Chance Rescue, which matched her with her dog Fisher.
To learn more about Kristin, visit her Website Follow on Facebook & Instagram
Support the show
Support the Podcast by Buying Us a Treat via Buy Me a Coffee
Shop our Affiliate Partners:
🐾 Shop Mikko's Choice Use code 'storyofmypet' for 15% off
🐾 Shop Superior Feline Use code “storyofmypet” for 15% off
🐾 Shop Nuvita CBD for people Use code 'Julie10' for 10% off
Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here
The Story of My Pet Podcast and Blog- Website - Instagram - Facebook
Contact your host via Email- [email protected]
Connect with your host, Dr. Julie Marty-Pearson – Website - YouTube - Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn
Cats That Kept Him Going: How David Maeda's Cats Shaped His Story
12/04/2026 | 28 mins.
Cats That Kept Him Going: How David Maeda's Cats Shaped His Story.
Your host, Julie Marty-Pearson sits down with David Maeda to trace that arc from his first cat, Mr Max, to a home shaped by bonded pairs, big personalities, and the kind of attachment that turns ordinary days into a shared routine you never want to lose.

David adopted Max in college and discovered what “cat people” mean when they talk about connection. From hilarious moments like a drooling purr to the ache of coming home after a pet dies, we stay with the full emotional range of cat ownership. David also shares how cat math happens: adopting two cats together after a loss, bringing home a three-legged rescue, and learning that even bonded cats can leave someone feeling left out.

Because David’s memoir includes a chapter dedicated to his cats, the conversation goes deeper into memory, storytelling, and why writing about animals can be both healing and heartbreaking. We also talk openly about depression, anxiety, and high-stress years in public service, including his work as Minnesota’s director of elections, and how caring for cats can keep you grounded when your mind is pulling you under. Along the way, we touch on Feline Rescue in St Paul, volunteering, cat shelters overwhelmed by animals who lose their person, and why every pet guardian should have a plan for who would step in.

To learn more about David, visit his Website or buy his book This is Not Who We Are
Support the show
Support the Podcast by Buying Us a Treat via Buy Me a Coffee
Shop our Affiliate Partners:
🐾 Shop Mikko's Choice Use code 'storyofmypet' for 15% off
🐾 Shop Superior Feline Use code “storyofmypet” for 15% off
🐾 Shop Nuvita CBD for people Use code 'Julie10' for 10% off
Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here
The Story of My Pet Podcast and Blog- Website - Instagram - Facebook
Contact your host via Email- [email protected]
Connect with your host, Dr. Julie Marty-Pearson – Website - YouTube - Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn
Unleashing Stories: How Unique Dogs Inspired Children's Books with Leia Barrett
24/03/2026 | 41 mins.
Unleashing Stories: How Unique Dogs Inspired Children's Books with Leia Barrett.

Host Julie Marty Pearson welcomes children’s author and rescue advocate Leia Barrett, who shares growing up with dogs (including longtime family “unicorn” Dixie) and later adopting her own unicorn rescue, Layla. They discuss common challenges in rescue adoptions, why quick returns can traumatize animals, and the widely used “3-3-3 rule” describing dogs’ adjustment over the first three days, three weeks, and three months.
Leia explains how understanding decompression, training, redirection, and empathy can prevent rehoming and support the overpopulation crisis through better education—especially for kids. She describes her path from classical-music storybooks to founding a rescue-focused picture book series, beginning with The Odd Dog, inspired by Layla’s quirks and centered on families adapting to a pet’s needs. They highlight Kansas City’s Wayside Waifs and Leah’s book-signing fundraisers that donate to shelters and rescues. To learn more about Leia and her books, visit her Website or Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

01:04 Growing Up With Greyhounds
01:38 Dixie the Unicorn Dog
02:33 Adopting Layla at 40
04:30 Rescue Returns and Education
05:31 Explaining the 3-3-3 Rule
08:21 Training Patience and Empathy
12:21 Why She Writes Kids Books
14:23 Creating The Odd Dog
16:21 Embracing Mutts Over Breeds
17:42 Earning Trust With Pets
19:57 Pets Get Us Moving
20:34 Outdoor Time Safely
21:14 Turning Layla Into Odd Dog
23:49 Redirecting Pet Energy
25:38 Senior Dogs Deserve Love
28:37 Spotlight on Wayside Waifs
31:07 How to Help Rescues
34:30 Book Signings Fundraiser
Support the show
Support the Podcast by Buying Us a Treat via Buy Me a Coffee
Shop our Affiliate Partners:
🐾 Shop Mikko's Choice Use code 'storyofmypet' for 15% off
🐾 Shop Superior Feline Use code “storyofmypet” for 15% off
🐾 Shop Nuvita CBD for people Use code 'Julie10' for 10% off
Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here
The Story of My Pet Podcast and Blog- Website - Instagram - Facebook
Contact your host via Email- [email protected]
Connect with your host, Dr. Julie Marty-Pearson – Website - YouTube - Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn
Love Your Feral Feline: A Special Podcasthon Episode
19/03/2026 | 37 mins.
Podcasthon Special: How Love Your Feral Felines Is Saving Cats in San Diego County with Volunteer Tammy Kaehler

Host Julie Marty Pearson shares a special Podcasthon episode of The Story of My Pet Podcast, part of a coordinated March 2026 global charity event, featuring an interview with Tammy Kaehler, a volunteer with Love Your Feral Felines (LYFF), an all-volunteer cat rescue serving San Diego County. Tammy расскаnts how a former feral “backyard cat” led her into cat rescue work and describes LYFF’s mission and programs, including foster and adoption efforts, a free-roaming adoption center, barn cat placements, community education, and trap-neuter-return (TNR) work. They discuss cat overpopulation, the challenges feral cats face in shelters, ways people can help beyond fostering (transport, photos, writing, grants, supplies, and social sharing), and how to support LYFF through donations, wish lists, volunteering, cuddle hours, and adopting.
To learn more about Love Your Feral Feline, Visit their Website or Follow them on Facebook Instagram & Youtube
Support the show
Support the Podcast by Buying Us a Treat via Buy Me a Coffee
Shop our Affiliate Partners:
🐾 Shop Mikko's Choice Use code 'storyofmypet' for 15% off
🐾 Shop Superior Feline Use code “storyofmypet” for 15% off
🐾 Shop Nuvita CBD for people Use code 'Julie10' for 10% off
Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here
The Story of My Pet Podcast and Blog- Website - Instagram - Facebook
Contact your host via Email- [email protected]
Connect with your host, Dr. Julie Marty-Pearson – Website - YouTube - Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn
Learning Pet Nutrition Science: How Four Cats Taught This Couple Everything About Pet Food
10/11/2025 | 35 mins.
Learning Pet Nutrition Science may be easier than you realize. In this episode, I sit down with Holly Baer from Superior Feline to explore the world of homemade pet nutrition. Holly's journey began when her own cats faced serious health challenges—kidney disease, fish allergies, and inflammatory conditions that commercial foods couldn't address. What started as a desperate search for solutions became a mission to help cat parents everywhere take control of their pets' nutrition.
From Crisis to Solution
Holly's husband, a microbiologist, dove deep into research when their beloved cat Coconut developed kidney disease. What they discovered changed everything about how they approached feline nutrition. But Superior Feline goes beyond just food mixes. They've developed a complete system including omega-3 oils (both fish and plant-based options), postbiotics for gut health, and liver powder toppers for picky eaters.
What you'll learn in this episode:
How to transition from commercial to homemade cat food safely
The difference between probiotics and postbiotics for feline health
Solutions for cats with allergies, kidney disease, and digestive issues
Tips for dealing with picky eaters and multiple cats with different preferences
Husband and Wife team, Eric and Holly Baer, founded Superior Feline because of the positive, physical results they saw from making homemade cat food for their two cats, Coconut and Luna Belle, who had health issues. They started Superior Feline with the main goal of providing quality, science-based, affordable products that aren't built around marketing, but around the true pursuit of real results and long-term health for fur family. Follow Superior Feline on Facebook or Instagram.
Support the show
Support the Podcast by Buying Us a Treat via Buy Me a Coffee
Shop our Affiliate Partners:
🐾 Shop Mikko's Choice Use code 'storyofmypet' for 15% off
🐾 Shop Superior Feline Use code “storyofmypet” for 15% off
🐾 Shop Nuvita CBD for people Use code 'Julie10' for 10% off
Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here
The Story of My Pet Podcast and Blog- Website - Instagram - Facebook
Contact your host via Email- [email protected]
Connect with your host, Dr. Julie Marty-Pearson – Website - YouTube - Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn

More Education podcasts

Trending Education podcasts

About Story of My Pet: Tales of Animal Rescue, Fostering & Adoption

Are you a pet lover with a rescue story close to your heart? You’ve found your new favorite podcast. 🐾Welcome to The Story of My Pet, where inspiring tales of animal rescue, fostering, and adoption come to life. Each episode shares powerful stories from pet parents, animal advocates, and rescue heroes who’ve opened their hearts and homes to animals in need. From street cats and shelter pups to unexpected animal companions, you'll hear heartwarming — and sometimes heartbreaking — stories that celebrate the deep bond between humans and their pets. Whether you're a rescue volunteer, foster parent, animal shelter worker, or just someone who believes every animal deserves a loving home, this podcast is for you.🎧 You’ll learn:How people around the world rescue and foster animalsWhat it’s really like inside shelters and rescuesHow to cope with pet loss and celebrate the lives of our furry family membersSimple ways you can help animals in your community🩷 Want to share your story? Email Julie to become a guest!Contact your host via Email- [email protected] Your Host:Dr. Julie Marty-Pearson is a Storytelling Strategist, Podcasting Mentor, and champion for women who are ready to share their stories and be heard. She coaches purpose-driven women to grow their visibility and confidence through podcasting, guesting, and speaking.Julie hosts two podcasts:🩷 Podcast Your Story, which focuses on how to amplify your voice and grow their business through podcasting. 🩷 The Story of My Pet, a Top 5% podcast inspiring tales of pets focused on advocating and educating for animals rescue, fostering, and adoptionJulie also created and hosts two communities:🩷 Women's Podcaster Party Networking Community, for podcasters, guests, and speakers to connect and collaborate. Come check out our Monthly Networking Events.🩷 Podcast Your Story Community Membership.Support the Podcast by Buying Us a Treat via Buy Me a CoffeeShop our Affiliate Partners & Sponsors:🐾 Shop our sponsor Mikko's Choice Use code 'storyofmypet' for 15% off🐾 Shop CBD for people at Nuvita Use code 'Julie10' for 10% every time you shop!The Story of My Pet Podcast and Blog- Website - Instagram - FacebookConnect with your host, Julie Marty-Pearson – Website - YouTube - Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - Pinterest & Listen to Podcast Your Story - Website

Podcast website

Education Kids & Family Personal Journals Pets & Animals Society & Culture