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

Julie Marty-Pearson
  • 4.8 (21)
  • Pets & Animals
  • Updated Weekly

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- julie@thestoryofmypetpodcast.com About 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 adoption Julie 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 - Facebook Connect with your host, Julie Marty-Pearson – Website - YouTube - Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - Pinterest & Listen to Podcast Your Story - Website

  1. Finding Joy in Aging Pets: Angela Dinsmoor’s Advocacy for Senior Dogs

    22h ago

    Finding Joy in Aging Pets: Angela Dinsmoor’s Advocacy for Senior Dogs

    Senior Dogs Deserve Love: Adopting, Caring for, and Advocating for Older Pets with Angela Dinsmoor. Host Julie Marty Pearson welcomes Angela Dinsmoor to discuss senior pets, sharing Julie’s experience caring for her 16-year-old diabetic cat and Angela’s lifelong love of animals and rescue work. Angela explains why she and her husband adopt—not foster—senior dogs, noting their six senior adoptions (nine dogs total) ranging from about 8 to 16 years old, and describing how some seniors are with them briefly while others live many more years than expected. They explore common reasons senior dogs end up in shelters, especially when owners die or can no longer care for them, as well as financial strain and misconceptions that seniors are “boring,” emphasizing the importance of legacy planning.  Angela offers practical tips for welcoming seniors (stair safety, traction for slippery floors, routine, incontinence expectations, and slow assessment) and highlights how volunteering and “doggie day out” programs boost adoptability. She also shares her work through Grey Whiskers, providing in-home geriatric grooming in Denver, a biweekly newsletter, a community for senior pet support, and a certification program to train groomers in senior dog care. To learn more about Angela Dinsmoor, checkout her Website and Follow on Facebook and Instagram. 00:41 Growing Up With Pets 01:49 Soul Pets and Connection 03:08 Why Adopt Seniors 05:15 Journey Into Senior Dogs 06:31 Celebrating Aging Pets 07:45 How Their Rescue Works 09:00 Why Seniors End Up Shelters 12:56 Lessons From Senior Dogs 15:32 Rose Story and Forgiveness 17:55 Preparing Your Home 20:34 Helping Them Adjust 21:58 Senior Routine Benefits 24:25 Pet Proofing Home 25:36 Joy of Senior Rescue 26:36 Volunteer Impact Boost 28:25 Doggy Day Out Tips 29:32 Grey Whiskers Mission 32:33 Grooming for Mobility 34:50 Grooming as Health Sign 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% offLoved this episode? Leave a review and rating here The Story of My Pet Podcast and Blog- Website - Instagram - Facebook Contact your host via Email- julie@thestoryofmypetpodcast.com Connect with your host, Dr. Julie Marty-Pearson – Website - YouTube - Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn

    42 min
  2. Dogs Have Angels Too: Exploring Resilience and Redemption with Sarah Cavallaro

    2d ago

    Dogs Have Angels Too: Exploring Resilience and Redemption with Sarah Cavallaro

    Dogs Have Angels Too: Your Host Julie Marty-Pearson, interviews Sarah Cavallaro on Healing, Storytelling, and Dog Adoption Advocacy In this episode of The Story of My Pet podcast, Sarah shares how she became an animal lover after growing up without pets, including the childhood loss of a rescued kitten and later adopting a puppy, Athena, while in college and bringing her to New York City. Athena’s ongoing bladder issues and their bond became the inspiration for Sarah’s book Dogs Have Angels Too, which explores when people surrender pets and the responsibility of caring for them.  Sarah discusses her path from running Emerald Films, a Fortune 500 commercial production company, to returning to writing as a healing, transformative process, creating characters like Ms. Pink—a woman devastated by job loss and a Ponzi-scheme collapse who finds purpose helping homeless dogs. Sarah hopes to adapt the story into a scripted TV series that promotes dog adoption and animal welfare education, and she highlights organizations supporting pets of unhoused people and keeping pets with families facing financial hardship. To learn more about Sarah, checkout her Website and Follow on Instagram. 01:33 Rescuing Athena 03:31 Athena Inspires Fiction 05:02 From Producer to Author 06:04 Writing Through Change 07:25 Storytelling and Healing 10:18 Authenticity and Purpose 11:50 From Play to Novel 13:07 Ms Pink Hits Bottom 15:48 Meaning in Helping Dogs 16:49 Host Finds New Path 17:59 Rebuilding After Loss 19:05 Park Scene and Empathy 20:28 Unexpected Collaborations 21:23 TV Series Vision 22:20 Rescue Programs That Work 23:20 Exposing Puppy Mills and Testing 25:15 Making Episodes With Purpose 28:01 Helping Pets of the Homeless 30:58 Keeping Families Together 32:46 How You Can Help Today 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% offLoved this episode? Leave a review and rating here The Story of My Pet Podcast and Blog- Website - Instagram - Facebook Contact your host via Email- julie@thestoryofmypetpodcast.com Connect with your host, Dr. Julie Marty-Pearson – Website - YouTube - Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn

    39 min
  3. Legacy of Ebenezer the Donkey. How One Animal Became a Local Community Legend

    Jun 18

    Legacy of Ebenezer the Donkey. How One Animal Became a Local Community Legend

    Legacy of Ebenezer the Donkey. How One Animal Became a Local Community Legend In this episode of The Story of My Pet podcast, Julie Marty-Pearson interviews Joe Dimino about his lifelong love of animals and the remarkable community bond formed around Ebenezer, a donkey in a roadside pasture near Grandview, Missouri. Joe shares how he and his son Miles (on the spectrum) regularly visited Ebenezer with carrots, how the donkey’s loud bray and friendly personality drew countless neighbors to stop and connect, and how Joe’s local newspaper feature and online videos helped spread Ebenezer’s story. As Ebenezer aged and became ill, caregivers Randy and Shirley Phillips played a major role in supporting his care, including a stay at a horse hospital, and the community rallied with bumper stickers, memorial tributes, and even a parade float after his sudden death in 2010. Joe later created a digital book and website so Ebenezer’s legacy—and the relationships he sparked—could live on. To learn more about Ebenezer the Donkey, visit the Website Joe Dimino has been writing & creating in a variety of capacities since his college days at the University of Missouri-Kansas City somewhere around 1993. If you are keeping score, that would be about 29 years+. It all began at UMKCs University News as a Sports Writer & turned into a myriad of expressive avenues. Inventing poems, art, video & audio has always been in the proverbial cards. Follow Joe on Instagram and Facebook. 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% offLoved this episode? Leave a review and rating here The Story of My Pet Podcast and Blog- Website - Instagram - Facebook Contact your host via Email- julie@thestoryofmypetpodcast.com Connect with your host, Dr. Julie Marty-Pearson – Website - YouTube - Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn

    38 min
  4. Navigating Life with Animals: Insights on Animal Companionship

    Apr 24

    Navigating Life with Animals: Insights on Animal Companionship

    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% offLoved this episode? Leave a review and rating here The Story of My Pet Podcast and Blog- Website - Instagram - Facebook Contact your host via Email- julie@thestoryofmypetpodcast.com Connect with your host, Dr. Julie Marty-Pearson – Website - YouTube - Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn

    50 min
  5. Cats That Kept Him Going: How David Maeda's Cats Shaped His Story

    Apr 12

    Cats That Kept Him Going: How David Maeda's Cats Shaped His Story

    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% offLoved this episode? Leave a review and rating here The Story of My Pet Podcast and Blog- Website - Instagram - Facebook Contact your host via Email- julie@thestoryofmypetpodcast.com Connect with your host, Dr. Julie Marty-Pearson – Website - YouTube - Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn

    29 min
  6. Unleashing Stories: How Unique Dogs Inspired Children's Books with Leia Barrett

    Mar 24

    Unleashing Stories: How Unique Dogs Inspired Children's Books with Leia Barrett

    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% offLoved this episode? Leave a review and rating here The Story of My Pet Podcast and Blog- Website - Instagram - Facebook Contact your host via Email- julie@thestoryofmypetpodcast.com Connect with your host, Dr. Julie Marty-Pearson – Website - YouTube - Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn

    42 min
  7. Love Your Feral Feline: A Special Podcasthon Episode

    Mar 19

    Love Your Feral Feline: A Special Podcasthon Episode

    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% offLoved this episode? Leave a review and rating here The Story of My Pet Podcast and Blog- Website - Instagram - Facebook Contact your host via Email- julie@thestoryofmypetpodcast.com Connect with your host, Dr. Julie Marty-Pearson – Website - YouTube - Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn

    38 min
  8. Learning Pet Nutrition Science: How Four Cats Taught This Couple Everything About Pet Food

    11/10/2025

    Learning Pet Nutrition Science: How Four Cats Taught This Couple Everything About Pet Food

    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 safelyThe difference between probiotics and postbiotics for feline healthSolutions for cats with allergies, kidney disease, and digestive issuesTips for dealing with picky eaters and multiple cats with different preferencesHusband 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% offLoved this episode? Leave a review and rating here The Story of My Pet Podcast and Blog- Website - Instagram - Facebook Contact your host via Email- julie@thestoryofmypetpodcast.com Connect with your host, Dr. Julie Marty-Pearson – Website - YouTube - Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn

    35 min
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4.8
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

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- julie@thestoryofmypetpodcast.com About 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 adoption Julie 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 - Facebook Connect with your host, Julie Marty-Pearson – Website - YouTube - Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - Pinterest & Listen to Podcast Your Story - Website

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