Why do dogs age so much faster than we do—and can science change that?

The Dog Aging Project is one of the most ambitious studies ever conducted on canine health and longevity. By following tens of thousands of dogs across the United States, researchers are uncovering how genetics, environment, diet, and lifestyle influence how our dogs age.

Dr. Brynn Franks joins the conversation to explore what scientists are learning about the biology of aging in dogs, why some dogs live longer and healthier lives than others, and how this research could transform veterinary medicine in the future.

But the project is about more than science. Because dogs share our homes, our habits, and even many of our diseases, studying their lives may also help unlock clues about human aging.

What are the biggest factors that shape how dogs age?

Can interventions extend a dog’s healthy lifespan?

And what might our dogs teach us about longevity itself?

This episode explores the fascinating science behind aging—and how our closest animal companions may help reveal the secrets of living longer, healthier lives.

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What did it mean to care for an animal in the Middle Ages?

Long before modern veterinary medicine, medieval people developed detailed systems for healing horses, hounds, livestock, and even household pets. Treatments ranged from practical wound care and herbal remedies to bloodletting, lunar timing, and deeply held spiritual beliefs about the body.

Medieval historian Kathleen Walker-Meikle explores how animals were understood, valued, and treated in a world where science, faith, folklore, and lived experience were inseparable. From war horses essential to power and survival, to beloved companion animals inside the home, care was not just medical — it was cultural.

How did people decide when to treat an animal?

What role did astrology and religion play?

Were medieval healers more sophisticated than we assume?

This episode uncovers a surprisingly complex world of animal medicine — where healing meant far more than technique, and where belief shaped the care animals received.

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Books:

Kathleen Walker-Meikle, Medieval Pets (Boydell and Brewer, 2012; paperback 2019)

Ibid, Dogs in Medieval Manuscripts (London: British Library Publications, 2020)

Ibid, Cats in Medieval Manuscripts (London: British Library Publications, 2019)

Ibid, The Horse Book: Horses of Historical Distinction (London: Bloomsbury, 2017);

Ibid, The Cat Book: Cats of Historical Distinction (London: Bloomsbury, 2015)

Ibid, The Dog Book: Dogs of Historical Distinction (London: Bloomsbury, 2014)

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They tower above the African savannah — silent, watchful, and impossible to ignore. Giraffes are the tallest animals on Earth, yet their conservation story is far more complex than most people realize. While some populations have declined sharply, others are stabilizing and even growing. So what’s really happening with the world’s most iconic giants?

In this episode, we explore the full giraffe story with Stephanie Fennessy, co-founder of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, the only organization in the world dedicated solely to the conservation and management of giraffes in the wild.

From habitat loss and human expansion to groundbreaking translocations and science-driven population management, this conversation dives into what it truly takes to protect the world’s tallest land mammal. We unpack the surprising complexity of giraffe species, the realities of conservation across multiple African countries, and the hopeful signs emerging from long-term, strategic protection efforts.

This isn’t just a story about vulnerability. It’s a story about protecting gentle giants — and what it means to stand tall for a species’ future.

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