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Send us Fan Mail Lisa is joined by Carmen Leal the author of I Chose You: Imperfectly Perfect Rescue Dogs and Their Humans. Lisa starts the interview by sharing something her dogs do and asks if your dog or dogs do it too. She also asks Carmen the same first question she always asks which is, "When did you love of dogs begin?" Carmen came to dogs in a unique way. After a horrible accident, her doctor recommended an emotional support dog which she said no to multiple times. Eventually she changed her mind and not only did she get a dog, she did work for a shelter and has helped thousands of dogs find homes. Carmen's book is an anthology so not only does she share her own stories, there are others as well who share stories about their dogs. For more details, see the transcript.  Book description: I Chose You: Imperfectly Perfect Rescue Dogs and Their Humans.  For every pet parent who knows there's no such thing as 'just a dog,' this collection of uplifting glimpses into the lives of ordinary-turned-extraordinary dogs and the people who love them is a tail-wagging good read. Thanks to the rescue dog who saved her life after a traumatic brain injury, Carmen Leal went from saying she'd never have a dog to becoming an advocate for man's best friend. Carmen volunteered at the local rescue shelter by writing bios and social media posts, applying for grants, and helping to save and re-home over 6,500 dogs from a high-kill shelter. This endearing anthology includes stories that celebrate the bond between canines and humans including: Buddy the beagle who went from living chained under a porch to becoming the town's only therapy dogHeavenly Joy, the frightened Chihuahua who changed the life of a grumpy old manBogey, an abandoned mixed-breed trained by prison inmates and adopted by his forever family I Chose You is a collection of memorable, beautifully written stories of dogs rescued by people and, ultimately, people rescued by dogs. If you like four-legged friends and happy endings, you'll love Carmen Leal's touching collection of heart-warming stories. Fetch a copy of I Chose You, the feel-good book that resonates with anyone who has ever loved a dog.

Send us Fan Mail Could you go vegan for one month?Many people make the choice to go vegan or vegetarian for their health, but some individuals also make that decision based on a love for animals or to help protect the planet.  Launched in the UK in January 2014, Veganuary (pronounced vee-gan-uary) is a global campaign that encourages people to try vegan for January.  Veganuary aims to reduce the suffering of animals by inspiring and supporting people across the globe to go vegan. As a non-profit organization, Veganuary is dedicated to changing public attitudes, while providing all the information and practical support required to make the transition to veganism as easy and enjoyable as possible. Veganuary has had an incredible degree of success in a very short time and is changing lives all over the world. Clea Grady is Veganuary’s Marketing Manager. A vegetarian since the age of 12, she became a vegan after participating in Veganuary. Describing herself as “an unconscious vegetarian, but a very conscious vegan,” Clea is passionate about sharing information and ideas, and inspiring others to take part in Veganuary. Clea joins Andrea and Lisa to share more about the organization, as well as how you can get involved.

Send us Fan Mail Summary Elanco Animal Health launched a national campaign to spread awareness about the start of the deadly season for canine parvovirus, one of the most contagious and deadly dog viruses. Dr. Jen Miller explains that parvovirus primarily affects young puppies that are either not vaccinated or not completely through their vaccine series. The virus is spread through contaminated feces and can live in the environment for a long time. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and blood in the stool, and if left untreated, the death rate can be as high as 91%. Elanco's Parvo is Poop campaign aims to increase awareness about parvovirus and provide resources for pet owners to find vets and treatment options. Keywordscanine parvovirus, dog virus, deadly virus, contagious, puppies, vaccination, symptoms, treatment, awareness campaign Takeaways Canine parvovirus primarily affects young puppies that are not vaccinated or not completely through their vaccine series.The virus is spread through contaminated feces and can live in the environment for a long time.Symptoms of parvovirus include vomiting, diarrhea, and blood in the stool.Early intervention and treatment are crucial for a better outcome.Elanco's Parvo is Poop campaign aims to increase awareness about parvovirus and provide resources for pet owners. Sound Bites "Canine parvovirus, one of the most contagious and deadly dog viruses""Parvovirus primarily affects young puppies that are either not vaccinated or not completely through their vaccine series""Parvovirus is spread from contaminated feces or poop" Chapters00:00Introduction and the Start of the Parvovirus Season 08:24The Parvo is Poop Campaign 15:53Elanco's Mission to Save Puppies from Parvovirus

Send us Fan Mail While some individuals can follow through with New Year's resolutions, research shows that certain people are more susceptible to failure.The new year is a time when many people make promises to "do better" or "work harder." While some individuals can follow through with these resolutions, research shows that certain people are more susceptible to failure. For instance, people who don't like exercising or eating healthy and who may be in recovery from an addiction will fall off the wagon when they've had a close encounter with someone who gives them grief.  Mark Goulston, MD, author of Talking to Crazy: How to Deal with the Irrational and Impossible People in Your Life, says there are ways to combat both the negative people and the tendency to fail. It's a very simple plan. Take a sheet of paper and put a line down the middle. On the left side, list the people who drain the life out of you. On the right side, list all the people who give you energy. Then, make a commitment for 30 days (and eventually for a lifetime) to minimize your exposure to the people on the left and maximize the time you spend with the people on the right.  A key part of the success of this plan is to thank the people on the right.  Dr. Goulston explains the three parts of a "power thank you." When you contact the recipient, take these steps: "You did this for me." (be specific)"You went out of your way."Explain what it personally means to you.  Listen in as Dr. Goulston shares more ideas for keeping those resolutions and minimizing the negative people in your life.

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered if your pet is trying to teach you something about love and healing? Many people adopt pets hoping for companionship and love, but sometimes, those pets come with unexpected challenges. This episode delves into a story about a dog with severe anxiety and the profound impact she has on her owner's journey of self-discovery. In this episode, you'll discover:  How a challenging pet relationship can lead to unexpected personal growth and healing.Learn about the lengths one person will go to for their beloved animal, from unconventional treatments to emotional exploration.Explore the powerful lessons of selflessness and unconditional love that can be found in the bond between humans and their pets.Press play to hear a heartwarming story of how a golden retriever named Edie helped her owner, Meredith, open her heart and heal her past.

Send us Fan Mail Instead of resolutions this year, perhaps you can take a hard look at some of your lifestyle choices.Immediately after the clock strikes midnight on January 1, many people are geared up for their New Year's resolutions. It's evidenced mostly at your now-busy gym. If you're a regular gym-goer, have no fear... it's predicted to be back to "normal" as soon as January 17. Why do so many people fail at resolutions? For one, resolutions present a great deal of pressure. If you're not ready to actually make adjustments in your life, you're not going to change.  If you're resistant to change, you need to discover why you're experiencing that resistance. Are others sabotaging your health goals? Are you fearful of change? Are your goals just a bit too lofty? Instead of resolutions this year, perhaps you can take a hard look at some of your lifestyle choices. You don't have to wait for January 1 to start, either. You can take note of certain behaviors at any time, and then make the decision to work on them. Listen in as Naturally Savvy hosts Andrea Donsky and Lisa Davis present some tips for making better lifestyle choices this year and beyond.

Send us Fan Mail A regular listener Ray brought to my attention that Cara's sound was much lower than mine. I have no idea how that happened. I put together every show and I must have hit something just before bouncing the file. Anyway, I evened out the sound and it's a MUST LISTEN. Cara is phenomenal and so is her book! Lisa is joined by Cara Sue Achterberg who talks with Lisa about her book, "Another Good Dog: Our Family and Fifty Foster Dogs." Cara shares her experience fostering fifty dogs and in this interview you will get to hear about quite a few of them. In addition Cara's book and this interview touches on mothering older children who don't need you quite as much and the challenges that comes with that. Cara Achterberg is the author of seven books, a creative writing teacher, and a shelter dog advocate. Her memoir, Another Good Dog: One Family and Fifty Foster Dogs was a People magazine ‘people’s pick’ and featured on the Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family Show. Her book, One Hundred Dogs & Counting: One Woman, Ten Thousand Miles, and a Journey Into the Heart of Shelters and Rescues led to Cara cofound Who Will Let the Dogs Out, a nonprofit initiative to raise awareness and resources for shelter dogs. Cara lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with her husband, three rescue dogs, and a rotating cast of foster dogs and cats. For more information visit CaraWrites.com.BOOK DESCRIPTION:   In 2015, Cara Achterberg’s Pennsylvania farm became a haven for Operation Paws for Homes, which rescues dogs from high-kill shelters in the rural south and shuttles them north to foster homes. Nine puppies arrived with less than a day’s notice; a heart-worm positive dog; a deeply traumatized stray pup from Iraq; and countless others who just needed a gentle touch and a warm place to sleep. The stories of these remarkable dogs—including an eighty-pound bloodhound who sang arias for the neighbors—and the joy they bring to Cara and her family (along with a few chewed sofa cushions) fill the pages of this touching and inspiring book.When asked how she can possibly say goodbye to that many lovable pups, Cara says, “If I don’t give this one away, I can’t possibly save another.” Filled with humanity and hope, Another Good Dog will take the reader on a journey of smiles, laughs, and tears—and lead us to wonder how many other good dogs are out there and what we can do to help.

Send us Fan Mail How can you make the most out of the coming year?With the new year comes exciting possibilities.  How can you make the most out of the coming year? A big part of that is discovering what you love and how to make more time for that.  Oftentimes, it can be as simple as one word, such as "balance."  Another tactic is to identify your old belief systems and work on changing them.  For example, if you're constantly berating yourself with negative self-talk, try listening to yourself like you are your own best friend.  Would you say to a friend, "You're worthless" or "You can't do anything right"? Not likely. You need to learn how to speak to yourself in a loving way. Shaman Isabella Stoloff, founder of the Orange County Healing Center in Southern California, joins Naturally Savvy hosts Andrea and Lisa to share more about how you can make the most out of this year, as well as specific ways you can leave the negative behind.

Send us Fan Mail Do you often find yourself putting others' needs before your own, sometimes to your own detriment? This episode explores the often blurry line between empathy and codependency, offering clarity on how to support others without sacrificing your own well-being. It addresses the common struggle of wanting to help while maintaining healthy boundaries. Listeners will learn: How to distinguish between healthy empathy and codependent behaviors, recognizing the signs of self-sacrifice.The importance of setting and maintaining boundaries when helping others, preventing overextension and resentment.Practical strategies for offering support without imposing solutions, fostering independence and self-reliance in those you care about.Click here to listen and discover how to nurture healthy relationships by understanding the difference between empathy and codependency. Keywords: codependency, empathy, helping others, sacrifices, boundaries TO WORK WITH DR. JOHN - text him here: 719-310-9495  and let him know you are interested in a 15 minute FREE consultation.  Get Dr. John's books here:   Making Movies in Our Minds: Working Through Our Anxiety - July 3, 2023:  https://tinyurl.com/b7kp2etk Connecting In A Disconnected World: Activities That Build Connections With Children:   https://tinyurl.com/53vswdby

Send us Fan Mail Lisa is joined by Craig Grossi, the author of Craig & Fred: A Marine, A Stray Dog, and How They Rescued Each Other. Raised in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC, Craig Grossi is a Marine Corps veteran, recipient of the Purple Heart and Georgetown University graduate. When not travelling with Fred, he devotes his time to veteran organizations including the USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program and other nonprofits that benefit dogs and veterans. He now lives in Maine with his partner Nora, and their dogs Fred and Ruby. In 2010, Sergeant Craig Grossi was doing intelligence work for Marine RECON—the most elite fighters in the Corps—in a remote part of Afghanistan. While on patrol, he spotted a young dog "with a big goofy head and little legs" who didn’t seem vicious or run in a pack like most strays they’d encountered. After eating a piece of beef jerky Craig offered—against military regulations—the dog began to follow him. "Looks like you made a friend," another Marine yelled. Grossi heard, "Looks like a 'Fred.'" The name stuck, and a beautiful, life-changing friendship was forged.Fred not only stole Craig’s heart; he won over the RECON fighters, who helped Craig smuggle the dog into heavily fortified Camp Leatherneck in a duffel bag—risking jail and Fred’s life. With the help of a crew of DHL workers, a sympathetic vet, and a military dog handler, Fred eventually made it to Craig’s family in Virginia. Months later, when Craig returned to the U.S., it was Fred’s turn to save the wounded Marine from Post-Traumatic Stress. Today, Craig and Fred are touching lives nationwide, from a swampy campground in a Louisiana State Park to the streets of Portland, Oregon, and everywhere in between. A poignant and inspiring tale of hope, resilience, and optimism, with a timeless message at its heart—"it is not what happens to us that matters, but how we respond to it"—Craig & Fred is a shining example of the power of love to transform our hearts and our lives.

Send us Fan Mail As fun and festive as the holidays are, they can tap you of energy.As fun and festive as the holidays are, they can tap you of energy. Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, shares his top 10 tips for improving your sleep and energy levels this holiday season (and all year round). 1) You can have your cake and eat it too. There are health benefits to pleasure, so enjoy your dessert, but in small quantities, not as the main course. Shocking factoid: 85 percent of the pleasure is experienced in the first few bites. Also, it takes 15 minutes for the brain to experience the satiation response, so wait 20 minutes before going back for seconds. Small dessert servings equal pleasure without guilt! 2) Chocolate is a health food, but it’s rich, so go for quality, not quantity. Enjoy a square of premium chocolate and savor the sensation as it melts in your mouth. Apply a little mindfulness to the holiday food experience and you’ll enjoy the sweetness more deeply and feel satiated and satisfied. In this case, less is better. 3) Russell Stover makes dynamite sugar-free chocolates. Also, high-end Abdullah chocolates (with sugar) are just so good you won’t need much to feel satisfied. They also have an excellent sugar-free line. 4) Stay away from “energy loan sharks” like sugary, caffeinated drinks that provide a temporary boost but end in a crash, and often insomnia. They do give quick energy but then take away twice as much by dropping your blood sugar. 5) An excellent alternative? Find healthy sources of energy that make you feel good throughout the day and improve overall health. I recommend D-ribose (5 mg per day) mixed with the Energy Revitalization System (replaces 35 vitamin pills in a single scoop) to start the day off with a healthy, legitimate energy source that supports you for many hours. Two studies (by Dr Teitelbaum) showed that ribose increased energy a dramatic average of 61 percent. You often can’t get enough energy-making vitamins and minerals from the Standard American Diet (SAD), especially B vitamins and magnesium. Most people are amazed at how much more energy they feel after taking a high potency B vitamin with magnesium as found in the Energy Revitalization System. 6) A quick fix for getting energized is to drink 12 ounces of cold water. Most of us don’t drink enough water and are actually dehydrated. Instead of reaching for a soda, try good old H2O. The cold water also acts like a bracing splash of cold water on your face... only for your whole body. 7) Make time for sleep by entering it in your appointment scheduler. Schedule sleep as a priority and you’re likely to take it more seriously. 8) Cut out things you don’t enjoy; the stuff that doesn’t make you feel good. To that end, consider cutting back on the 24-hour news cycle that rehashes election fallout featuring endless rants by “talking heads.” Just flick the OFF button and you’ll probably feel more relaxed immediately and ready for sleepy-time. 9) Try natural sleep supplements like Revitalizing Sleep and Healthy ZZZs before you go for sleeping pills or antihistamines that knock you out and often leave you feeling groggy the next morning. 10) Avoid “energy vampires” who leave you feeling drained after speaking with them. Don’t be afraid to say “no.”

Send us Fan Mail Lisa is joined by Lisa J. Edwards, the author of A Dog Named Boo: How One Dog and One Woman Rescued Each Other―and the Lives They Transformed Along the Way. Lisa J. Edwards is a full-time professional dog trainer and behavioral consultant and the owner-operator of Three Dogs Training. (www.threedogstraining.com)She has been a registered Delta Society Pet Partner with three of her dogs and has made more than 400 visits with her pets to hospitals, schools, nursing homes and residential care facilities. In 2008, Boo was honored as one of five finalists for the Delta Society's national Beyond Limits Award for his therapy work with Lisa.On October 14, 2012 A Dog Named Boo entered the Sunday Times Top Ten Paperback Bestseller list! When Lisa Edwards came across this puppy Boo while on her way to buy Halloween candy, she immediately noticed that this puppy wasn't like the others. He was bumping into things, was very mellow, and was something special. She got Boo and had a very hard time training him, especially when it came to potty training (took over a year.) As a dog trainer, she knew there was something going on with her sweet Boo. Turns out her has something called Cerebellum Hyperplasia. With patience, persistence, and letting go of perfection, Boo became an incredible therapy dog and changed the lives of so many people. BOOK DESCRIPTION: The International Bestseller The 'feel good' book of the season… Boo’s story reminds all of us that life is full of possibilities and that hope often arrives wagging a tail. —Best Friends magazine The dunce of obedience class with poor eyesight and a clumsy gait, Boo was the least likely of heroes. Yet with his unflappable spirit and boundless love, Boo has changed countless lives through his work as a therapy dog: inspiring a six-year-old boy to speak for the first time in his life, coaxing movement from a paralyzed girl and stirring life in a ninety-four-year-old nun with Alzheimer’s disease. But perhaps Boo’s greatest miracle is the way he transformed Lisa Edwards’s life, giving her the best gift of all: faith in herself. This is the inspiring true story of how one woman and one dog rescued each other, a moving tribute to hope, resilience and the transformative power of unconditional love.

Send us Fan Mail Every Wednesday we are joined by Kayla Cappiello the author of  Easy Allergy-Free Cooking: Simple & Safe Everyday Recipes for Everyone for COOKING WITH KAYLA.  T oday Kayla we are talking about GLUTEN-FREE & DAIRY FREE ITEMS FOR CHRISTMAS DINNER! Check out Kayla here too: Order the cookbook: https://amzn.to/3KMQ9eB AVAILABLE NOW! Instagram: @Kaylacappiello Blog: Kaylacappiello.com Sign up for the weekly meal prep email: https://kaylacappiello.substack.com/ Looking to eat healthy but have no time to plan a week of meals? Let me do it for you! Here you'll get get easy, 30 minute recipes that are allergy friendly, plus a grocery shopping list each week. You'll also get exclusive recipes that are not on my website or instagram!My easy, weekly meal prep takes the guesswork out of meal prepping. These are easy meals, that happen to be healthy and allergy friendly. All my recipes are made in 30 minutes or less. No more stressing over picking new meals each week. No more confusion about using up leftovers. No more anxiety about buying the right ingredients at the grocery store or wondering if you’ll need to run back out again for that one forogotten ingredient. Each week you’ll receive a full meal prep guide, and a grocery list for all the ingredients you need to buy. These recipes are sure to please the whole family. I focus on hacks and shortcuts to make sure you’re saving time and not wasting time when you’re making your meals. No more scrolling around the internet for hours trying to decide what’s for dinner. No more forgetting where you saved that recipe. Was it pinterest? Was it instagram? New, weekly recipes and easy meal prep menus straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe to get full access to the weekly meal preps, the recipes and the grocery lists. Never miss an update. Go to https://kaylacappiello.com

Send us Fan Mail Lisa is joined by Jeff Allen, the cofounder of Monkey’s House a Dog Hospice & Sanctuary, established in 2015. He has devoted his life to helping people and dogs alike in his dual roles as a human resources manager at a pharmaceutical company and through his involvement in running Monkey’s House (www.monkeyshouse.org) with his wife, Michele Allen, a 2017 CNN Hero recipient. Together, they save and care for hospice dogs. Their sanctuary has been recognized for its outstanding work and was awarded Rescue of the Year in 2017 by World Dog Expo. Living among twenty-five hospice dogs has given Jeff experience and hands-on knowledge you can’t find in a book. Jeff lives in Southern New Jersey with Michele and their pack of furry kids. Jeff shares some of the stories of the wonderful dogs at Monkey's House as well as the many ways that they care for these lovely dogs. Love, attention, medical treatment and surgeries (some by the wonderful Dr. Judy Morgan) and a number of therapies including nutritional therapy, give these dogs the best rest of their lives they can have. BOOK DESCRIPTION: How sad it would have been had Cole disappeared into that dark room in the back of the shelter, alone and frightened, as if he never existed. This is often the fate of dogs afflicted with medical issues. Cole, a senior dog with cancer, was discarded by his owner, much like throwing away an old pair of shoes. In 2015, Michele and Jeff Allen said enough is enough and started Monkey’s House a Dog Hospice & Sanctuary. Celebrating the beauty each dog has to offer, they have welcomed over 100 hospice dogs into their home. Thankfully, Cole was rescued by Monkey’s House and experienced his final chapter of life filled with dignity and love.This book highlights 37 of the dogs that have called Monkey’s House home. Share in their journeys, laugh at their crazy antics, and shed a few tears while witnessing miracles of transformation. Rejoice along with these dogs, knowing they experienced the greatest gift of all, the healing power of love.The Allens and Best Chapter Publishing are donating a portion of the proceeds from Where Dogs Go to LIVE to Monkey’s House a Dog Hospice & Sanctuary, a nonprofit organization.

Send us Fan Mail Every Monday, Thursday and Friday Lisa shares an article from www.naturallysavvy.com  Today she shares info from  Natural Fragrances to Scent Your Home this Holiday Season You can find the article here: https://naturallysavvy.com/nest/scent-your-home-naturally-this-holiday-season/