The Pet Connection

Join Nancy and Lisa, your hosts of Big Blend Radio's "Pet Connection" show, as they celebrate a remarkable milestone: five incredible years of full-time pet sitting and travel with TrustedHousesitters!

In this special anniversary episode, we dive into the joys and unique experiences of pet sitting. The conversations highlight the vital role of community and clear communication in building trust and creating meaningful, immersive tr...

Get ready for summer fun with your pet companions on this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Pet Connection” Show! Hosts Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, along with cohost Angela Laws from TrustedHousesitters, share essential pet care tips to help keep animals safe, cool, and comfortable during the hot weather.

The conversation covers everything from hydration and heat protection to backyard safety and wildlife awareness. You’ll also he...

In this heartwarming episode of Big Blend Radio's "Pet Connection" Show, we highlight inspiring rescue and adoption stories involving dogs, cats, horses — and even wildlife! You'll also get practical tips on how to bond with rescued animals and give them the loving care they deserve.

🎙️ ON THIS EPISODE: * Lisa Smith – The "daughter" half of Big Blend Radio & Magazine’s mother-daughter duo, Lisa is a full-time traveler and seas...

From a whinny to a nicker, this shared episode of Big Blend Radio’s “ABC’s of Horses” equestrian podcast with Christy Wood explores "horse noises," the fascinating world of horse vocalizations and what they mean.

Learn how to interpret different horse sounds, including variations in intensity and frequency. Is your horse expressing comfort, excitement, anxiety, or even attraction? Whether it's a call for food, a signal of distress,...

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Pet Connection" Show focuses on life after loss for both pets and their humans.

ON THIS EPISODE: - Angela Laws, veteran pet sitter, grief counselor, and community manager at https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/

- Lea Brovedani, a certified end-of-life doula, also known as a death midwife. Listen to her "Soul Journey Doula" podcast series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm2cARmdtpFgK...

It's all about Understanding and Caring for Mares on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "ABC's of Horses" equestrian podcast with Christy Wood. 

Hear about attitude and disposition, emotions, performance, breeding and pregnancy, hormonal health, foaling and gestation, and so much more.

Christy Wood is a World Champion horse trainer, also exhibiting in jumping and trail. She is a winner in extreme trail obstacle challenges, and is a ...

Celebrate National Backyard Day (March 19)  and the Start of Spring with this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Pet Connection" Show that focuses on ways to create a backyard that is pet-friendly. Hear about toxic plants, fencing tips, and basic needs like shade and water, and more. 

Big Blend Radio's PET CONNECTION Show is hosted by veteran pet sitters Nancy J Reid & Lisa Smith, the mother-daughter team behind Big Blend Radio &...

It's all about Lunging Your Horse on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "ABC's of Horses" equestrian podcast with Christy Wood. Hear about what lunging is and why it is important, lunging positions, and the best gear and equipment for lunging.

Christy Wood is a World Champion horse trainer, also exhibiting in jumping and trail. She is a winner in extreme trail obstacle challenges, and is a carded horse show judge with 7 breed associ...

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Pet Connection" Show, Mark Rowlands talks about his new book, "The Word of Dog: What Our Canine Companions Can Teach Us About Living a Good Life" (Liveright; Jan 28, 2025). Here, Rowlands shows us we could do a lot better than we’re doing simply by listening to the unspoken wisdom our dogs reveal to us every day of their happy, uncomplicated lives.

Rowlands is professor and chair of the philoso...

It's all about Kicking and Communication on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "ABC's of Horses" equestrian podcast with Christy Wood. Hear what makes horses kick, how to maneuver around a horse so you do not get kicked, and how to communicate whether on the ground or on horseback. 

Christy Wood is a World Champion horse trainer, also exhibiting in jumping and trail. She is a winner in extreme trail obstacle challenges, and is a car...

Celebrate National Walk Your Dog Month (January) with this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Pet Connection" Show that focuses on the benefits of walking your dog (for humans and their pup pals), and safety tips. 

Big Blend Radio's PET CONNECTION Show is hosted by veteran pet sitters Nancy J Reid & Lisa Smith, the mother-daughter team behind Big Blend Radio & Magazines, and cohosted by Angela Laws, veteran pet sitter, and commu...

It's all about Instruction for Horses and Riders on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "ABC's of Horses" equestrian podcast with Christy Wood. Instruction is especially important when looking at purchasing a new horse. 

Christy Wood is a World Champion horse trainer, also exhibiting in jumping and trail. She is a winner in extreme trail obstacle challenges, and is a carded horse show judge with 7 breed associations. Along with being...

In perfect time for the holiday shopping season, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Pet Connection" Show features award-winning author C.B. Wilson, who is known for her popular Barkview Dog Mystery series. Hear about her books, her Bat Dogs petition, and much more. Visit: https://cbwilsonauthor.com/ 

Plus, check out her fun song, "12 Days of Barkview Christmas" on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPMzjs0y7NM 

In celebratio...

It's all about Horse Hoof Care on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "ABC's of Horses" equestrian podcast with Christy Wood. 

Hear about how to clean a hoof, supplements, about shoes and shoeing, protective boots,  choosing a farrier, and more. 

Christy Wood is a World Champion horse trainer, also exhibiting in jumping and trail. She is a winner in extreme trail obstacle challenges, and is a carded horse show judge with 7 breed asso...

Due to the recent devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the Southeast USA, and in honor of October being Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month and National Animal Safety and Protection Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Pet Connection" Show focuses on how to help pets, and grieving pet parents, after the hurricane disasters.

NON-PROFITS TO SUPPORT: - https://www.humanesociety.org   - https://bestfriends.org/  - https://furkids....

It's all about Horse Gear and Tack on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "ABC's of Horses" equestrian podcast with Christy Wood. 

Hear about the gear differences between English and Western, and tack for Show versus Pleasure. Plus, all about clean and functional leather (not nylon), bits, spurs, pads and more.

Christy Wood is a World Champion horse trainer, also exhibiting in jumping and trail. She is a winner in extreme trail obsta...

Celebrate Happy Cat Month (September) with this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Pet Connection" Show that focuses on how to take care of our feline friends so that they are purrfectly entertained, well fed, healthy, and content. 

Big Blend Radio's PET CONNECTION Show is cohosted by Angela Laws, veteran pet sitter, and community manager at https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/  

Check out these helpful cat-related articles on the Trust...

Celebrate National Dog Month (August) with this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Pet Connection" Show that features Alison Rand, author of the contemporary memoir, "Walking Alison: A Poodles’s Mostly True Story of Helping Her Human Navigate Life."

The healing relationship between a dog and her human is at the heart of "Walking Alison." Chronicling their regular walks around her Upper West Side neighborhood, this big-hearted book descr...