Saying Goodbye to 2025

📅 Episode Overview: Saying Goodbye to 2025

Another year has flown by, and I have tackled 24 topics related to being a pet parent or pets in general. For this final episode of 2025, I’m recapping some of my favourite episodes, sharing insights along the way, and reflecting on what has been an interesting and sometimes strange year in the world of pets and pet parenthood. You can visit each of topics by clicking the first words in each title.

Here we go!

🐱 FIP in Cats: A Critical and Emotional Topic

My first episode of 2025 focused on Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). This is a very severe infection that cats can get, and it is almost always fatal. I found this topic incredibly interesting because, as severe infections go, this one being a death sentence in most cases made me wonder how it works and why it is not curable.

The impetus for this episode came from a friend who had been told the cat she took in had FIP. He was a very snotty cat who sneezed a lot, but I was pretty sure there was no way this cat had FIP, considering she had had him for a few years already. After verifying the facts, it turned out he never had FIP at all—he had Feline Herpesvirus. Perhaps that’s one for my 2026 list.

🐶 Interview Highlight: Pumpkin and Friends Charity (UK)

One of my absolute favourite episodes of the year was interviewing Tammie Fox from Lincoln, England. Tammie runs Pumpkin and Friends Charity with her disabled Westie, Pumpkin.

I had been following Pumpkin on Facebook for quite some time and loved how candidly Tammie shared the trials and tribulations of building her charity shop and headquarters. I reached out, not knowing if she’d respond, and within 24 hours she said yes!

Despite a five-hour time difference, we met on a snowy February Sunday (snowy for me!) and had a blast on Zoom. I even got to see Pumpkin, and it felt like I’d known Tammie for years.

We later reconnected just before the shop opened at the end of April to discuss some truly awful experiences, including vandalism of the Pumpkin Mobile and online harassment. Tammie weathered it all, and the charity shop is now a huge success—fitting wheelchairs, holding events, and continuing outreach.

To top off 2025, they released a studio-recorded Christmas song, “A Wheelie Good Christmas,” available on iTunes. I wish Tammie, Richard, Ziggy, Madison, Pumpkin, Smiggle, Ernie, and Bear all the very best for 2026.

🦴 Winter Topics: Arthritis, Apparel & Easter Awareness

As winter continued, I explored arthritis in dogs and updated listeners on new and innovative pet apparel, along with some personal favourites.

With Easter approaching, I felt strongly about addressing the big no-no: getting chicks or ducks for Easter. The number of these animals that suffer horrible fates is alarming, and I hope this episode helped deter some people from making that choice.

🌿 Natural Supplements for Pets: Blends for Life

As winter loosened its grip, I had the opportunity to speak with Paul Spindler, owner and founder of Blends for Life, a natural pet supplement company based in Guelph, Ontario.

I reached out because Paul was using ingredients like dandelion and olive leaf, which have long-known health benefits. Paul prepared thoroughly for the interview (his first podcast appearance!), and the conversation was incredibly informative.

✂️ Controversial Procedures: A Passionate Discussion

I tackled one of my most passionate and controversial topics: declawing, tail docking, and ear cropping.

While there is still no legislation in Ontario banning these procedures, veterinarians are prohibited from performing them for cosmetic reasons. The College of Veterinarians of Ontario already prohibits medically unnecessary cosmetic surgeries.

Across Canada, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Newfoundland, British Columbia, Alberta, New Brunswick, PEI, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba have banned or heavily restricted these procedures—leaving Ontario standing alone. Ontario, do better by your animals.

👵🐕 Senior Pets & Pets for Seniors

Two topics I’m especially proud of are senior pets and pets for seniors. This is a growing area that deserves far more attention. I wish more people were open to adopting senior pets and that more support existed for seniors wanting pets in their residences.

This tied perfectly into my episode on the physical and mental benefits of pets, where the positive impact on seniors can be tremendous.

🦠 Parvovirus: A serious threat to dogs

I also tackled Parvovirus, a devastating disease that remains rampant in puppy mill environments. This episode reinforced the importance of avoiding backyard breeders, pet stores, and online sales. The scams are everywhere.

🐾 Breed Spotlights: Small Scottish Terriers

In 2025, I highlighted popular small Scottish breeds:

• West Highland White Terrier
• Border Terrier
• Cairn Terrier

These rugged little dogs were a joy to research. My inspiration came from looking after a friend’s senior Westie for a week. As someone who has always had medium or large dogs, having a small dog alongside Tundra was a novel and delightful experience.

🌍 How Pet-Friendly Is Your Country?

This episode was inspired by a trip to Scotland, where hubby and I once again experienced just how pet-friendly the country is. Restaurants, cafés, hotels, ferries, and historical sites all welcomed dogs, and we loved every minute of it.

❓ Trivia, Pet Names & Festive Gifts

I really enjoyed creating pet trivia quizzes, inspired by our love of trivia nights. Another fun topic was the history and psychology behind choosing pet names—something I get to hear a lot of!

As the year came full circle, I looked at gifts for pets, including which ones are great and which ones to avoid. With Christmas around the corner, many pet parents are shopping for stockings—Tundra and Rory’s are already full!

🌟 Final Reflections on 2025

2025 has been an interesting and strange year in many ways, but it also brought a surge in interest in natural remedies, supplements, and innovations like digital IDs, home cameras, and advances in pet nutrition and health tracking.

I truly hope these episodes have provided insight and knowledge that’s been valuable. I’d love to hear from you.

As I say goodbye to 2025 and welcome 2026, I wish everyone—and all the fur kids—a wonderful holiday season and the very best for the New Year.

Remember: keep doing that research, because as I always say, knowing is caring.

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📩 Email me: mailto:val@valtalkspets.com with questions, topic suggestions, or feedback.
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🎵 Music: Purple Planet Music
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Thanks for joining me! Because knowing is caring. 🐾

Tagged as: Saying Goodbye to 2025,  pet podcast year in review,  pet health awareness podcast,  senior pets and pet benefits,  animal welfare discussions,  pet parent reflections,  dog and cat care education,  pet ownership insights.