Seattle Pet Collective Podcast

Today's episode is a conversation with my friend, Angela Schneider of Noses & Toes Pet Photography. Angela is an incredibly talented photographer (and writer) based in Spokane, Washington. Her work is adventurous, emotional and awe-inspiring. If you've been thinking about getting out of the city for an adventure with your dogs, get in touch with Angela to plan an amazing session. 

"I focus on pets - mostly dogs - and their people. My goals with a session are twofold: one, to showcase your dog in the beautiful, incredible, amazing landscapes where we adventure and romp in Eastern Washington and North Idaho and, two, to find that sweet magical moment where there's just you, your dog and my camera. Nothing brings me to tears quicker than seeing that one image, that one frame that says 'I love you and you love me.'"  - Angela

You can learn more about Angela and her work here:

In today's episode, Tracy Campion of Pet Connection Magazine has a conversation with Maria LaCasse of Midnight Rose Equestrian!

Maria LaCasse is a passionate horse enthusiast and the face of Midnight Rose Equestrian. She has a background and deep appreciation of natural horsemanship, dressage training, biomechanics, and communication. She has trained both in the USA and internationally in New Zealand and currently resides in the PNW. Maria is pursuing further education in Dressage, Classical schooling, and Equine Massage Therapy, as well as Human Massage Therapy.

To learn more about Maria and her services, please visit:

In today's episode, Holly Cook of Holly Cook Photography has a conversation with Donna Frindt of Project Canine!

Project Canine provides therapy dog teams to local hospitals, schools, assisted living, senior citizen facilities and others.  They are also partnered with Seattle Library for a reading with kids program called Bow Wows and Books.  

To learn more about Project Canine, please visit the following:

In this week's episode, Marika and Lauren talk about connection, and how important it is to create opportunities to connect with one another through sharing the stories of the animals we love. 

Welcome to Season 2 of the Seattle Pet Collective podcast!

You have heard me say this before, but collaboration is my love language. Season two of this podcast is going to be full of so much love because it is going to be all about collaboration with some of the most wonderful women I know. A few months ago, I realized that the next step in my journey with this podcast, this community, is to bring more voices, more hearts and more joy to this space. The best way I know how to do that, is to bring in my friends. So, that's what we've done. 

I am so freaking excited to welcome my friends Lauren, Tracy and Holly to this journey of sharing stories with the Seattle pet community.

In this opening episode, we talk about how weird 2020 has been, what we have learned and what our hopes are moving forward. We have big plans for what happens next with Seattle Pet Collective, and we are excited to bring you all along for the ride. 

Please check out all of these amazing ladies, and support the incredible work they do in our community:

Lauren Hartley, owner of All Dog Kind

OMG! This is the FINAL EPISODE of Season one of the Seattle Pet Collective podcast!!!

Season 2 starts VERY soon, so I hope you're all excited!

Today's episode is awesome because it features another incredible pet photographer who recently moved to Seattle from San Francisco. Josh Norem, aka The Furrtographer, is an award-winning pet photographer who has photographed a number of celebrity pets, including Boo the Pomeranian, Lil' Bub and Grumpy Cat! Josh also fosters kittens, and his recent foster joined us for this interview (you'll here the tiny meows from time to time, so get ready to melt). 

To learn more about working with Josh, you can visit his website:

In today's episode, I'm joined by Melanie Green, who is the owner and creator of Buster Boy Mats.

You'll get to learn about this awesome product, how Melanie came up with the idea and who inspired it. 

To learn more about Buster Boy Mats (and to get your paws on your very own), you can visit:

Today's guest is my amazing friend, Shea, who is a fitness and health coach here in Seattle. She is the owner of O.W.N. Fitness, and the creator of Push Ups for Pups (PUP), a fundraising event that brings together a community of fitness enthusiasts and animal lovers who do push ups to benefit local animal rescue. 

In this episode, we talk about Shea's background with animals, her two dogs, Jack and Misty, and her passion for bringing together fitness and rescue animals. Shea's joy and positive energy are refreshing, especially now as we are all navigating our way through some dark times. 

To find out more about Shea and Push Ups for Pups, and how to get involved, please visit:

Wow, you guys. Have you ever been to Goat Yoga? I haven't been yet (and I'm very ashamed to admit that), but after this conversation with the founder and director of Wobbly Ranch, Amanda Carner, I cannot wait to try it out!  

As you all know, we are in the middle of a pandemic, and Seattle is the epicenter in the United States. We are all doing our best to move through this insane time, but it isn't easy. I believe that the best things come from connecting through sharing our stories, so that's what we're doing. It's why I started this podcast almost a year ago, and it's what is going to help a lot of us keep our heads together over the coming weeks. 

So, this episode features and amazing woman who has created a beautiful home for goats and a way for people to connect with them. I love Amanda's stories, and I hope you do to. If you're inspired by Amanda, and have the ability to do so, please donate or purchase gift certificates/tickets for Goat Yoga. This will greatly help the goats. 

You can learn more about Wobbly Ranch by visiting their website and social media profiles:

This episode makes me so happy. Tom Otto and Shaun Sears are the founders and operators of Canopy Cat Rescue, a non profit in Washington state that focuses on rescuing cats from trees. Is this the first time you've heard of such a thing? I'm willing to bet you've heard of cats stuck in trees, but did you know that there are a lot of misconceptions about how to get them to come down and who to call when they won't come down? In this episode, we hear some great stories and learn some important lessons from Tom and Shaun about cats, trees and what to do if (when) you find yourself in a situation where you need to call on Canopy Cat Rescue. 

Before (or after if you can't get to it this moment) you listen to this episode, go check out Canopy Cat Rescue on social media to watch some of their rescues. These guys record their rescues, and share them on their Youtube channel and social profiles. I absolutely spent a ridiculous amount of time watching their videos the night before I reached out to them to be on this podcast. Check them out, then go support them in any way you can so that they can continue to rescue even more cats!

In this week's episode, I got to learn the story behind Wag Booth, a photo booth for dogs and their people founded here in Seattle by Dee Lugo and Michele Kinsey.  It's seriously so much fun for me to have other photographers as podcast guests so we can gush about how much we love photographing dogs! Dee is the photographer behind Wag Booth, and Michele is the dog calmer/treat giver/assistant who helps make things run smoothly. 

Wag Booth isn't an ordinary photo booth experience. Dee and Michele bring a portable studio setup along with bins full of costumes and props for people AND dogs. They put a lot of work into their custom themes, and spend a lot of time caring for/cleaning everything after each event. This is not a "use it yourself" operation. Dee actually takes all of the portraits, and edits them for delivery within 48 hours. A-MA-ZING!!!! 

I had so much fun with these two, and I cannot wait to see everything they create with this brilliant business. There's more to learn about Wag Booth, so please go visit their website to see all of their amazing offerings, and follow them on all the social media outlets!!!

This episode features Kait Robinson, owner and artist at Kait's Calling! Kait is an AMAAAAAAAZING artist who specializes in creating gorgeous custom painted portraits of people's beloved pets. She also does some beautiful graphic design work, and has done some freaking awesome art for my friends at The Seattle Barkery. Including my favorite tank top that I can't stop wearing. I'll probably share a selfie in it soon, but it features Sherman the barkery dog. RIP Sherman. 

I had so much fun hanging out with Kait. She's really funny and her love for the work she creates for her clients is inspiring. I'm obsessed with her art, and I can't wait for you guys to go see it (if you haven't already)!

You can find Kait's work online:

Today's episode is so great because I got to nerd out with another pet photographer, my friend, Holly Cook of Holly Cook Photography!

In addition to learning about Holly's history in the animal world, she tells us about her adventure of traveling down to Los Angeles in July to participate in the Seen = Saved event that had hundreds of volunteers helping to photograph and adopt out all of the animals in the LA County shelters.  Holly shares her story of being there to photograph dogs, and what it was like to see so many people come together for an amazing cause.

We also talk a lot about being pet photographers, and how photographing rescue animals can get emotional.

Today's episode features Kari Kalway, the owner of Puddles Barkery, a pet treat bakery providing soft, preservative-free treats for all the good dogs. Kari was inspired to start her business because her dog, Kora, is a sassy, picky pup. Kari wanted to create the perfect treat for Kora that all dogs could enjoy. Kari tells us more about how she got started, where she is headed and who she likes to work with in her community. She also talks a bit about Kora's recent health struggles and the challenges that go along with that.

For more information about Puddles Barkery and to find out where to purchase treats:

Debbie Hendrickx, the owner and creator of Swell, Gelato for Dogs, started her business because after a corporate career, she wanted a "truly happy business" that could celebrate her passion for dogs. This episode is a great conversation about having an idea to create something that puts joy into the world, and actually doing it. I love this story so much, and am super inspired by Debbie and her truly happy business. Her gelato is made here in Seattle (by her and her parents help when they come to visit from Belgium), and is available in most independent pet stores in the Pacific Northwest (and some in California too!). To find more about where to pick up some Swell gelato for your dogs, you can visit the website:

WE ARE ON EPISODE 11! I don't know why I'm so excited at 11, but I AM SO EXCITED! Okay, I think it's also because today's guest has such a great story. I feel so honored to be able to share with you, Lora Troncoso who is the Founder and Director of Seattle Dogs Homeless Program. Seattle Dogs Homeless Program provides pet food, supplies, vet care, boarding and rescue for people and the animals they love who are experiencing homelessness in Seattle. Lora shares with us how she was inspired to start this program after her own experiences of being homeless with dogs. This woman is amazing, and she is a gem in this city. 

I found myself in tears several times throughout listening to Lora's story, and I am pretty sure you will get a bit teary as well. There are some great laughs in here too you guys, so don't worry. I'm probably going to listen to this episode a bunch of times because I want to tell everyone I meet about Lora and Seattle Dogs Homeless Program. They need a lot of help to keep doing the work they're doing. 

Their two biggest needs are financial donations to their veterinary fund/account at Greenwood Animal Hospital (How amazing is it that this incredible veterinary hospital stepped up to provide them with care?!), and a truck. They're currently using a car to deliver supplies in multiple trips all over the city to homeless pets and their people. If they could have a truck or some sort of vehicle that was easy to drive and could fit everything they need to deliver in one trip, that would be amazing.

So, enjoy this episode, then please spread the word about Lora and Seattle Dogs Homeless Program. Let's help them continue to do this amazing work! 

For more information about Seattle Dogs Homeless Program:

Today's episode features Vicki Draper, a modern-day animal healer and author dedicated to helping animals and their people through all stages of their lives together. Her skill set includes massage, acupressure, craniosacral therapy, Reiki and animal communication, combining Eastern, Western and Energetic medicine. Vicki serves people and their pets locally and remotely, nationally and internationally. 

I have seen Vicki's work in real life, and it is amazing.

To learn more about how to work with Vicki, you can find a wealth of information on her website as well as a schedule of all of her amazing upcoming events:

In today's episode, we learn about CBD and how it benefits our pets! Annie McCall is the marketing director for All The Best Pet Care. They have 15 stores in the Greater Seattle Area specializing in natural foods and supplements for dogs and cats. In addition to being the marketing director for All The Best, Annie enjoys fostering for local rescues. 

You can learn more about All The Best Pet Care by visiting their website: 

On today’s episode, I sat down with my friend Kate and her cutie pie dog, Bruce, to talk about their awesome adoption story. I met them both last Summer after putting a call out for great adoption stories on Instagram. I was so moved by the reaction that their followers had to their story, that I knew we had to meet.   

I invited Kate and Bruce to be guests on the podcast because I know there are more great stories like theirs here in Seattle. The more we talk about and share these stories, the more we can inspire other people to choose to start their own adoption stories.

This episode includes a few moments when my dog, Kerouac, decided to give her opinions on things. Kind of rude, but also cute because she’s my dog.

After the episode, we had a little studio portrait session for Bruce because I can’t not take his photo when I’m around him! He’s just so darn adorable!

Things Kate and Bruce would love for you to support:

On today’s episode, I sat down with my friend Tracy Campion, who is the co-owner and co-publisher of Pet Connection Magazine. In addition to that, she is just an amazing human being because she loves animals so much. And she really loves our community of people who do great things for animals. She is one of those people who is a connector, and she supports the community by basically getting out there and saying, “What can I do for you? Let’s tell your story.”

This lady seriously shouted out SO MANY organizations during our conversation, and it’s just evidence of how much she cares about this community.

I had such a great time talking with her. We talked about horses, including the story of how she travelled across the country to adopt her horse, Smarty, for one dollar. We talked about dogs and kittens, and Tracy talked about her book that was published last year too! We even talked about some of the projects we’ve worked on together, and at one point I get all choked up about the affect animals can have on children. Yes, I cried. It happened. Expect it to happen again because I’m emotional when it comes to this stuff!

Here’s how you can support Tracy:

"All dogs, regardless of their breed or past, deserve love, dignity and kindness."

- Lauren Hartley, All Dog Kind

On this episode of Seattle Pet Collective, I sit down with my dear friend Lauren Hartley, owner of All Dog Kind to learn more about her amazing business and chat about how the work you do can give back to things you care about. Lauren gives 20 percent of her profits to rescue, and is committed to practicing environmental sustainability in all the work she creates. 

Lauren tells us about the things she creates that bring joy to people who love their dogs. The cornerstone of her creative business is her custom portrait packs that include a beautiful printed and framed digitally-drawn portrait that is then turned into a matching lapel pin and set of vinyl stickers. They're amaaaaazing.

It's hard to pick a favorite thing that Lauren creates, but I really love the hats she makes for dogs. I photographed my friend's corgi, Jack, wearing the pumpkin pie slice hat earlier this year, and it's basically the best thing ever.  

This lady is an inspiration, and I hope you enjoy getting to know more about her and the amazing work she does!

This episode is a bit longer than we had planned, but we ended up chatting about our recent creative collaboration that featured seven rescue dogs dressed up for the Met Gala. This project has been so incredible, and a lot of wonderful things have happened since the recording of this podcast episode. We will probably have to record another episode to follow up! 

There's seriously so much magic in this entire episode. Thank you so much for listening!

Some cool things to check out after listening to this episode:

Find Lauren and All Dog Kind online:

 I’m Marika, and this is my podcast!

I’m going to be straight with you. I’m totally new to podcasting, and I’m just jumping in because I believe it’s time for me to start this thing that has been cooking in my brain for a few years. I have wanted to create a space for people in the pet community to connect through sharing their stories for quite a while, and this podcast is how it is all coming together. I really believe that we can do incredible things when we connect through shared passions.

Yes, it’s my podcast, but it’s not really about me. I’m hosting it, I’ll be talking a lot, but the real purpose here is to share the stories of other super amazing people in the Seattle pet community who are doing great things. Some of them are good friends of mine, some of them are soon-to-be good friends of mine. All of them are real. All of them love animals. All of them have stories to share.