A Dog's Devotion

Welcome back! A Dog's Devotion is kicking off a brand new year. We hope you enjoyed your holidays, and spent some time relaxing and enjoying the company of loved ones.
We took some time off, and are now refreshed and ready for the new adventures that 2026 will bring. We also welcomed a new member of our family, Smokey. A 7 year old Yorkie who we rescued from Adopt & Save a Life Rescue in Florida. He will never replace the love l had for Max, that will never go away. However, the sound of little paws running around, the dog cuddles and kisses are so nice to have again. 
This is the first episode of 2026, and it is a special one. For any of you who have loved a senior dog, adopted a senior dog, and then ultimately had to say goodbye to a senior this one will touch your heart. 
In this very special first episode of 2026, A Dog’s Devotion explores the extraordinary bond we share with older dogs — a love that is quiet, patient, and profoundly unconditional. Inspired by the beautiful book Unconditional: Older Dogs, Deeper Love, this episode is a heartfelt reminder that senior dogs don’t come with less love — they come with more.
Older dogs teach us how to slow down, how to be present, and how to love without expectations. Their eyes hold stories, their hearts hold gratitude, and their devotion runs deeper than words can express.
This episode is for anyone who has loved a senior dog, lost one, or is considering opening their heart to an older pup who still has so much love to give. It’s about choosing compassion, honoring experience, and recognizing that sometimes the most meaningful love arrives when we least expect it.
Thank you to my guest Jane Sobel Klonsky for joining me, talking about your book and sharing your love of senior dogs.
xo Carla 
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The holidays can be one of the hardest times to grieve the loss of a beloved pet. The joy all around can feel heavy when the one you love most is missing.
This is my second Christmas without Max, and I still cry — often. The grief doesn’t disappear just because time has passed. If you’re feeling this too, please know you are not alone.
In this very special and deeply personal episode, I’m joined by pet loss grief counselor Beth Biglar, who offers compassion, understanding, and gentle guidance for anyone navigating pet loss during the holidays. We talk about love, loss, and how to move through this season with kindness toward yourself. Beth also shares her 12 Days of Christmas support for grieving pet parents — small, meaningful ways to help you cope, one day at a time.
This episode is meant to hold space for you. To remind you that there is a dog-loving community out there, ready to support you, to listen, and to walk beside you through the grief.
This is also the final episode of the season. As we close out this year, I want to thank you — truly — for listening, for sharing, and for being part of A Dog’s Devotion.
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas, and sending you love and peace during this tender season.
If this episode helps you, please consider subscribing to the podcast and the channel. Your support means more than you know 🤍
Thank you,
Carla 
xoxo

What if your dog could tell you exactly what she wants?
 Meet Ruby — the brilliant 11-month-old pup who is learning to communicate by pushing buttons.
Ruby now has access to 25 words, and she uses them to express:
what she wants
how she feels
who she wants to see
when she wants a walk, food, or play
She has been featured on CBC and Newsweek because the bond between Ruby and her mom, Meg, is extraordinary — and it opens a whole new world of communication between humans and dogs.
This episode will amaze dog lovers.
 It’s funny, emotional, and a little mind-blowing.
Can dogs really talk?
 Ruby proves they can — one button at a time.
🎧 Listen now on all platforms.
I have always thought dogs were more intelligent than we give them credit for - you can tell by looking in their eyes. This proves it. I hope you enjoy this episode, it was a fun one for me, and really opened my eyes to how smart our canine friends really are. 
As always, thanks for listening and l hope you enjoy this episode. 
xoxo
Carla

This week on A Dog’s Devotion, I sit down with Shannon Keith, the powerhouse founder of the Beagle Freedom Project — an organization that has changed the future for thousands of animals used in research labs around the world.
Shannon’s mission is both courageous and urgent: rescuing beagles and other animals from laboratory testing, fighting the systems that keep them hidden, and giving these dogs the chance to experience love, sunshine, and freedom for the first time in their lives.
In this emotional and eye-opening conversation, Shannon shares:
 🐾 Why beagles are the number one breed used in testing (and what most people don’t know).
 🐾 How Beagle Freedom Project rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes dogs who’ve never stepped outside a cage.
 🐾 The incredible transformations these animals undergo once they finally experience compassion.
 🐾 The legal battles, the victories, and the ongoing fight to change outdated laws.
 🐾 What we can all do to help end animal testing — and support the dogs still waiting for freedom.
This is a powerful episode that will move you, challenge you, and remind you why the human-animal bond is worth fighting for.
 If you love dogs, care about justice, or want to learn what’s really happening behind closed doors, you won’t want to miss this conversation.
As always thank you for listening, this episode will really open your eyes to the amount of dog testing that is still going on across the US, right in our own backyard, in places you would never guess. It is so sad to see these poor helpless animals suffer, and l am hoping this episode will shine a light on this so more people can get involved to stop it. 
Thank you, 
Carla

This week’s episode dives into a game-changing tool that is transforming the way we care for our pets. AskMambo, a compassionate and intelligent platform, is giving pet parents something we’ve all wished for: personalized answers, real guidance, and peace of mind when our dogs need us most.
As a devoted dog mom myself — inspired by my beloved Max — I know the fear and uncertainty that can come when something seems “off” and the vet is closed, it’s late at night, or you simply don’t know what to do next. AskMambo bridges that gap. It offers support, insight, and reassurance in those moments when you need it most.
In this episode, we explore how AskMambo is changing the world of pet ownership, empowering pet lovers with smart technology paired with genuine care. It’s about making pet parenting less overwhelming, more informed, and filled with the compassion our dogs deserve.
Tune in to learn how AskMambo is reshaping the future of pet care — one thoughtful answer at a time.
You can find AskMambo on Instagram: @askmambo or at www.askmambo. 
I speak with the founders Anthony and Arlu, about what inspired AskMambo and how they are creating a loving dog community. This app is a true game changer, and if you are a dog parent you will love this episode.
Thank you for listening, and please share with other dog lovers. 
As always, this podcast is in honor of Max. 
Love, 
Mom
xo