Dog waste is one of those everyday realities most of us would prefer not to think about. We bag it, bin it, and move on. But what if the way we currently deal with dog poo is part of a bigger environmental and cultural problem? And what if it could be approached differently?

In this episode, I’m joined by Cllr Gill Thomas, a local councillor in Stroud and for litter and clean environment who is exploring an early-stage, experimental initiative to rethink how dog waste is handled - including the possibility of composting it safely and responsibly.

Gill brings a background in the creative arts into her work in local politics, and that perspective shapes how she approaches complex, often uncomfortable issues. Rather than defaulting to enforcement or blame, she’s asking questions about responsibility, systems, and what becomes possible when curiosity leads the way.

In our conversation, we explore:

• Why dog waste is more than just a nuisance - and its real impact on the environment
• How creative problem-solving can open new pathways in governance
• What it means to take initiative without having all the answers
• The early conversations Gill is having with scientists and researchers
• Why pilot projects matter, and how local experiments can inspire wider change

This isn’t a polished solution or a finished programme. It’s a live inquiry into how we care for shared spaces, how we relate to waste, and what regeneration can look like at a very local, very human scale.

If you’re interested in conscious dog guardianship, environmental responsibility, and how meaningful change often starts with the things we’d rather not see - then this episode is for you.

To connect with Cllr Gill Thomas:

facebook.com/cllrgillthomas

Email: cllr.gill.thomas@stroud.gov.uk

Connect with me!

Website: https://mysticdogmama.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com

Come join my free Facebook group, FETCH First Light. It’s my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlight

Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

Some dogs find being handled difficult.
And for guardians who are trying to support them, that reality can feel confusing, limiting, and quietly heartbreaking.

In this episode, I am joined by Lucy Tyrrell, a Galen Myotherapist and founder of Pawsitive Touch, for an honest, grounded conversation about consent-based bodywork for dogs — particularly dogs who are touch-averse, reactive, sensitive, or carrying trauma in their bodies.

Together, they explore what it means to truly listen to a dog’s nervous system, how to move away from the idea that care requires compliance, and how guardians can support their dogs without pushing past their boundaries.

As a mama of a dog who finds handling challenging, I know this episode will help other dog mamas who share the frustration of wanting to build a supportive care team, and feeling that some complementary therapies may not be accessible or appropriate for our dogs right now. Fortunately, as Lucy talks about positive and practical ways forward.

This episode is for you if:

• Your dog struggles with being handled by others
• You’ve felt unsure or conflicted about hands-on therapies
• You want to support your dog’s body in a way that feels safe and respectful
• You’re curious about consent-based approaches to care
• You want to learn how to do less forcing and more listening

✨ Stay tuned until the end of the episode, where Lucy shares details about a special online workshop designed to help guardians learn powerful, practical, consent-based massage techniques they can use themselves to support their dogs at home.

This conversation offers a different way forward — one rooted in trust, agency, and meeting the dog in front of you.

To connect with Lucy and learn more about her upcoming workshop on Sunday, 8th February at 12pm UK time, email her at: lucy@caninetherapy.co.uk

To find a Galen Myotherapy practitioner near you:

https://www.galenmyotherapy.com/team

For more information on the Galen Myotherapy Distance Support Programme:

https://www.galenmyotherapy.com/dsp

Connect with me!

Website: https://mysticdogmama.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com

Come join my free Facebook group, FETCH First Light. It’s my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlight

Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

In this rich and soulful conversation, I’m joined by Anja Žekelj, founder of Wigglebeat, to explore what it really means to heal our dogs, and ourselves, when we move beyond fixing, forcing, or striving for perfection.

Anja shares her journey of working with dogs and the evolution of her Herbal Ball Therapy, a gentle, deeply intuitive modality that supports the nervous system, circulation, and emotional well-being of dogs - especially those who are sensitive, aging, or navigating recovery.

But this conversation goes far beyond any single therapy.

Together, we talk about:

• What it looks like to follow intuition and inner guidance when caring for our dogs, and how to tell the difference between fear and true knowing
• The challenges and shadows of the holistic dog world, including pressure, comparison, and the subtle belief that we should be able to “do it all right”
• Why healing is not the same as fixing, and how acceptance can be one of the most loving and confronting acts of care
• The emotional complexity of supporting a dog through change, decline, or uncertainty
• Anja’s deeply personal experience of caring for her senior dog after a stroke, and what that journey has taught her about presence, grief, trust, and letting go

If you’ve ever felt caught between your heart, your intuition, and the overwhelming noise of “shoulds” in the holistic space, then this episode is for you.

To connect with Anja and learn more about her work, including her upcoming Herbal Ball Therapy workshop, visit her website:

https://wigglebeat.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/wigglebeat

Connect with me!

Website: https://mysticdogmama.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mysticdogmama

Come join my free Facebook group, FETCH First Light. It’s my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection

https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlight

Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.