For the Love of Dog
Episodes
105 episodes
Why Adopted Dogs Get Returned
PJ and Christine dig into the real reasons adopted dogs get returned: too much love too soon, unrealistic expectations, not enough exercise, no rules or routine, the wrong match, and life changes nobody planned for. They share what The Little R...
Why Are Dogs Still Dying in Shelters
In 2025, roughly 600,000 animals (including 320,000 dogs) died in America's shelters — many of them alone, scared, in their kennels. PJ and Christine of The Little Red Dog dig into why so many good, adoptable dogs get overlooked: breed mislabel...
The Miranda's Rescue Case: How Does This Happen?
This week on For the Love of Dog, PJ and Christine share must-know Fourth of July safety tips to keep your dog from becoming part of the July 5th shelter surge — from microchips and safe spaces to keeping gates closed during the fireworks. They...
She Was on the Kill List — Now She's the Perfect Dog
PJ and Christine sit down with adopter Jill Stanton, who almost never found Zahara — a dog pulled off the kill list at one of California's deadliest shelters and now, in Jill's words, “heaven on earth.” Jill shares how she discovered foster-bas...
The No-Kill Myth
"No-kill shelter" is one of the most comforting phrases in animal rescue — and one of the most misleading. This week PJ and Christine pull back the curtain on what really happens to surrendered dogs, why five states account for half the nation'...
You Don't Have to Surrender Your Dog
The #1 request The Little Red Dog gets isn't to save a shelter dog — it's "please rehome my pet." This week PJ and Christine walk through the real alternatives to surrendering your dog: trainers and rescue support for behavior issues, Care Cred...
My Dog Is My Home
For thousands of people, a dog is the one constant through the hardest stretch of their life. PJ and Christine dig into the "My Dog Is My Home" movement and the shelters finally making room for pets, the life-saving role fostering plays for peo...
Why Having Your Dog Off Leash Is a Bad Idea
It's National Microchip Month — and PJ and Christine are here to remind you to not just chip your pet, but actually register it and keep your info updated. Then they get into it: off-leash dogs, summer safety tips, and why your dog doesn't have...
When Rescues Go Wrong
What happens when the rescue is the danger? This week PJ and Christine break down three recent cases that shook the dog rescue world: Woofy Acres in California, where 94 of 114 seized dogs were euthanized and the operator may walk away with pro...
She's Fostered 30 Dogs. Yes, It Hurts Every Time.
Liz has fostered over 30 dogs for The Little Red Dog in six years — and yes, it still hurts every time she says goodbye. This week, PJ and Christine sit down with Liz (and her current foster, Cookie Crisp!) to talk about the number one thing th...
Why We Hate Dog Parks (And You Should Too)
PJ and Christine get real about where your rescue donation actually goes — and why $1,100 barely covers saving one dog anymore. Then they get on their soapbox about dog parks: inattentive owners, parasites like giardia and coccidia, and why a p...
The Rescue Bond You Can't Buy
Charlotte has until May 7th to find a new foster — and this week, PJ and Christine are putting out the urgent call one more time. This episode also celebrates National Pet Week and Adopt a Shelter Pet Day with real talk about the bond you build...
What Really Happens When a Dog Leaves the Shelter
This week, PJ and Christine break down what really happens when a dog leaves the shelter — from vet quarantine and isolation care to the first days in a foster home, the 3-3-3 decompression rule, and why crate training is actually an act of kin...
TLRD TL;DR: Charlotte, Energy Matching & How We Pick Our Dogs
Charlotte is still waiting — and this week she got zero foster applications. PJ and Christine share an urgent plea for this sweet, low-energy girl who just needs a quiet home (cats welcome!). They also dig into one of rescue's most important to...
TLRD TL;DR: Can You Be Charlotte's Unicorn?
PJ and Christine kick off the very first weekly update from The Little Red Dog rescue. This week: an urgent foster plea for Charlotte, celebrating Gail and Daisy Ann's move out of boarding, why volunteers matter more than you think, and a conve...
The Number One Reason Why Dogs End Up at a Shelter
In this episode, Steve McClain and Gary Newcomb tackle a common mistake many dog owners make: treating dogs like children. They explain why this well-meaning approach can lead to behavior problems, bites, and even dogs ending up in shelters.
Inside the World of Dog Rescue
In this episode of "For the Love of Dog," PJ and Christine reflect on the challenges and triumphs of dog rescue. As they wrap up the year, they discuss the ongoing needs of rescued dogs, the emotional toll of their work, and the joy of seeing d...
Dogs That Can Detect Cancer & Other Mysteries
Dog trainer extraordinaire Gary Newcomb joins Steve to discuss a few interesting news stories at the intersection of technology and dog behavior. They also give their thoughts on the meaning of licking, tail wagging, and why dogs eat grass. Bas...
How to Be a Hero for Homeless Dogs in 2025
Join PJ Rosch and Christine Smith on the "For the Love of Dog" podcast as they reveal how fostering transforms adoption rates. Discover their journey through opening and closing a facility, learn about the success of "Miles for Mutts," and find...
Why Are Dog Rescues Struggling Post-COVID?
In this episode, Steve and PJ analyze the post-pandemic state of Little Red Dog Rescue. With a surge in pet surrenders and shelter euthanasia, yet a drop in adoptions, donations, and fostering, they explore the underlying causes of these troubl...
Dog Rescue Crisis: Funding Struggles & Saving Lives
In this long-awaited return episode of The Little Red Dog Podcast, hosts PJ Rasch and Christine Smith discuss the challenges and triumphs of running a dog rescue organization. After a three-year hiatus, they share their excitement for the group...
Teeanna Isaac: Why I Had To Lose
Author, life coach, volunteer grief counselor, and friend of TLRD, Teeanna Isaac joins Steve and PJ to discuss her upcoming book, Why I Had To Lose. Isaac lost her father at a young age and has spent the last decade studying grief, vulnerabilit...
Dog Emotion vs. Human Reaction & Volunteer 001 & 002
Correcting your dog's unwanted behavior takes a lot of practice. Trainer Gary Newcomb brings a handy visual chart that shows how dogs react to stimuli and how quickly and intensely an owner should respond accordingly.After the break, St...
Moving Through the Grief of Losing a Pet with Marina Resa
Psychotherapist Marina Resa joins Steve and PJ to share her thoughts on moving through the grief of losing a pet. Marina provides thoughtful advice for anyone experiencing grief of their own. Marina provides counseling and can be found at