Pet Sounds

A companion animal's death can prompt very real grief in their owner. Andrea Beca knows—she shares how she's working through it. A pet bereavement specialist with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Heather Mueller, explains why grieving a pet demands its own distinct process.

There are many misconceptions about Islam, including its teachings about companion animals. Veterinarian Dr. Ayoub M. Banderker debunks these false ideas while journalist (& author of Amazing Cats) Omar Mouallem reflects on growing up Muslim and how that informs his relationship with pets.

Copper was dumped by her first family when they got a new puppy. We hear what happened next for the senior dog and why so many animals like her get abandoned, from animal welfare advocates Jessica Scott-Reid and the Grey Muzzle Organization's Lisa Lunghofer.

Maisy, the shop dog at The Workroom on Queen Street in Toronto, had to take time off - a sick leave. While she battled cancer, her humans, Karyn and Andrew, took time off too. Hear how they travelled with Maisy to seek treatment and health.

Pet owners are displaying their love for their animals on their skin. With the help of The Force in the Flesh author, Shane Turgeon, we trace why the ancient art form is showing up as Nik Kozub's pet portrait tattoo of Mickey, the cockapoo, by Timbre Tattoo's Shawn O'Connor, and on Arianne Smith-Piquette as her Frieda pup tattoo by Myke Peters, at Lucky Strike.

Natalie is facing eviction, cancer and PTSD - she's potentially losing her cats in the process. We hear who's stepping up to help Natalie and others facing homelessness, keep their companion animals fed, healthy and at home.

The unconditional love of companion animals can become a trap for both a human and their pets - it’s known as animals hoarding. We meet Red, the cat, and learn about the hoarding situation he came from and how it happened.

We trace the pure bred mutt's story back to the beginning, or as best we can. A dog who's been a loyal companion through addiction and depression.

Find out why people love to capture pets in photos, even though they don't behave for the camera. We hear from musician Mike ONeill who's put animals on his album covers, two photographers who take pet portraits with Chewed Slippers Pet Photography and a University of Toronto professor, Matthew Brower who researched the long tradition of animal photography for his book, Developing Animals: Wildlife and Early American Photography.

When you leave the apartment you leave music on - but does your pet wish you didn't? We find out from Charles Snowdon, a professor of Psychology and Zoology at University of Wisconsin–Madison, and a Veterinarian, Dr. Elaine Degrandpre; all during a visit with musician Amy van Keeken and her dogs, Nabby and Daisy.

Cheap and cute don’t cut it for pet toys any more. We find out how and why good design and quality ingredients are getting integrated into pet accessories and food, from Fox & Tux Pet Boutique's Naomi McFee and Rescue Strong apparel designer, CJ Miyak.