As an author, artist, entrepreneur and human and animal rights activist, Alex Henry Foster is a modern day renaissance man. Alex joins the show Zooming in from Tangier, Morocco to introduce us to his newest rescue Robert who was left at his door just a few weeks ago. Back in Virginia, Alex gives us the background on Louna and Leonard as they hold things down while he's overseas. We also pay our respects to his beloved dog MacKaye who crossed the rainbow bridge in late 2024 and Shadow who was his "first furry love". Plenty of good stories and insights to cover from this consummate dog guy and global citizen.Alex Henry Foster's new LP, The Fragile Beauty (of new Morning Hopes), hits platforms on October 23rd and is the first of five albums in a broader series, written and recorded in Virginia, Morocco and Canada. His Defying Gravity tour launches on November 24th in Germany. For dates and info visit alexhenryfoster.com/tour/Alex gave some well-deserved shout outs to the following:The team at SFT Animal Sanctuary in Tangier, Morocco. Le Sanctuaire De La Faune De Tanger is currently home to over 1000 animals and are devoted to making Tangier an animal friendly city, where animals and humans can live in harmony. ⁠From fundraising to volunteering, there are so many ways to support the sanctuary. To learn how visit sftmorocco.orgDr. Mann at Jackson River Clinic in Covington, Virginia who are a full service companion animal hospital that offers both conventional western medicine as well as traditional Chinese veterinary medicine including acupuncture. To make an appointment go to jacksonrivervet.comDr. Larech & team at Clinique Vétérinaire California Tanger, Morocco. For more info visit their Instagram page at instagram.com/cliniqueveterinairecalifornia/The whole team at Virginia Tech Animal Cancer Care and Research Center in Roanoke, Virginia. VTACC&RC is a comprehensive cancer care and clinical research center offering integrated services, including medical, surgical, and radiation oncology, and frontline cancer diagnostics and treatment for dogs and cats. To learn more about the center visit cancercare.vetmed.vt.eduFor more pics and clips from our chat with Alex Henry Foster follow the show on Instagram at instagram.com/rockerdogcast/

Punk rock stalwart and creative driver behind the band Smirk, Nick Vicario stops by the show to introduce us to his 3 year old Landseer Newfoundland named Jam who he and his wife adopted after having to rehome an Anatolian Shepherd that exhibited some aggressive tendencies. Nick also touches upon his childhood dogs that included a humongous black Schnauzer and larger than life Great Dane/Mastiff mix, the themes behind his songs Dog Years and Domestic Dog and the time he was "pantsed" by Jam. Hear these stories and more from this lifelong musician who's perspective is now coming from outside of the fast lane and behind a white picket fence.Smirk's new LP Speculative Fiction is out now and their East Coast tour winds up this week with stops happening tonight, August 4, in Turners Falls, MA, 8/5 in Boston and 8/6 in Providence, RI. For more info go to smirk1.bandcamp.comNick gave a shout out to Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee Groves, Florida whose mission is to save 10,000 dogs every year, to heal and place them with loving families and to educate people about the proper care for dogs and the importance of spaying and neutering. To adopt, foster, volunteer, donate and learn more visit bdrr.orgFor more pics and clips of Nick and Jam follow the show on Instagram at @rockerdogcast

American Songwriter describes this week's guest as “a mod balladeer and indie folk goddess". Once they hear singer/songwriter Mara Connor talk about her beloved 5 year old poodle Josie they just might want to add "nature loving dog mom" to that description. We're excited to have this rising star on the show and share how this family dog adopted over covid quickly became hers, the many ways they are a in simpatico with one another and just what it took to win Best Rescue at their neighborhood block party. It's a great episode to listen to while you take your dog for a walk in the woods.Mara will be playing live and on air at the WMOT Finally Friday show at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley on August 7th. Then heading across the pond for two shows in London on August 30th at The Gladstone Arms and September 9th at The Betsey Trotwood. For more info go to maraconnor.com/showsMara gave a well deserved shout out to Welcome Home Dog Rescue who, since 2013, has saved over 600 dogs from local shelters. All dogs are given needed medical care, spayed/neutered, fully vaccinated and microchipped. To adopt, foster, volunteer or donate visit welcomehomedogrescue.orgShe also recognized Best Friends who are one of the brightest voices in the no-kill movement. To learn more about no-kill and what it takes for your community to achieve that status go to bestfriends.orgFor more pics and clips of Mara and Josie follow the show on Instagram at @rockerdogcast

This week we welcome to the pod Emmyn Callerio, who's the singular force behind Games We Play. Emmyn introduces us to his dog Norman, a six year old Bernadoodle, and surprises us with the fact that he has another dog named Shredder who's a black Goldendoodle. We hear how a trip to Austin inspired Him and his wife to seek out a Bernadoodle of their own, what the story was behind a dog they found in a park named Danger and what dog expenses are the most taxing to cough up money for. Hear these stories and more from this funny, dog loving, pop-punk rocker.Games We Play's new album I Wish I Never Quit comes out September 18th via Nettwerk. Produced by Emmyn, the album captures him at his most exposed and introspective, reckoning with burnout, identity and life-altering mistakes. Presave the album HERE For more on Games We Play visit ilovegamesweplay.comFor more pics and clips from this epeisode and the over 190 before it, follow the show on Instagram at @rockerdogcast

This week we welcome a true hero to shelter dogs in the form of Roadies & Rescues founder Paul Thomas. Paul is a long time live sound engineer who, when sidelined by the pandemic, pivoted to transporting at risk dogs from the California Central Valley to rescue organizations in the Pacific Northwest. His tireless efforts have saved literally hundreds of dogs and other shelter animals. Paul takes us through the inception of Roadies and Rescues, his own history with dogs and who some of the real rock stars are in the animal rescue community. Hear these stories and more from this rock and roll road warrior who’s built for these life saving endurance missions.Paul gave his shout outs to the following animal welfare services he’s become familiar with over the years:Muttville who reach out to senior dogs at risk, give them the care they need, and find them loving forever homes. If they had their way, no dog would spend their last days in a shelter. To help them save their next 14,253 dogs visit https://muttville.org/Beyond Rescue understands that adopting a dog is where the relationship starts, not where it ends. They work to provide a safety net that helps to ensure that adoptive families have the ongoing support, education, and services they need to keep their dog happy, healthy and home. To adopt, foster, donate or volunteer go to https://www.gobeyondrescue.org/Dogwood Animal Rescue Project’s mission is to support animals and the people who love them through rescue, rehoming, spay/neuter and education. To learn more on how they’re making a difference one animal at a time go to https://dogwoodanimalrescue.org/Rocket Dog Rescue is a volunteer-based organization serving the greater Bay Area, dedicated to saving homeless and abandoned dogs from over-crowded animal shelters. To adopt, foster, donate or volunteer visit https://www.rocketdogrescue.org/A special shout out goes to Cliff, John, Mark and the many other unsung "rock stars" of animal rescue whose fortitude and selfless dedication is nothing less than awe inspiring.

This week we welcome multi-instrumentalist Emily Moore to the show who has performed with a multitude of artists including Fun!, X-Ambassadors, Good Neighbours, Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift. Emily introduces us to her pandemic pup Alfie who looks like the quintessential dog but is specifically a Chihuahua, Shitzu, Mini Pinscher, Poodle mix. We discuss many of Alfie's likes and dislikes, his steadfast companionship during her breast cancer treatment in 2024 and get to hear a preview of the soon to be classic dog themed hit song Park Pooper. Hear these stories and more from this globe trotting utility musician.Emily will be back on stage with Mitski in mid July when they head over to Asia. For tour stops and dates vist mitski.com/live/Emily gave a shout out to Chef Tanya's Kittens, a cat lovers shop next door to Chef Tanya's Kitchen Palm Desert location. The boutique offers accessories, treats, apparel as well as cat adoptions. To help their efforts in feeding homeless cats and helping those in need of medical aid donate to their Amazon Wish List at amazon.com/hz/wishlistFor more pics and clips of Emily and Alfie follow the show on Instagram at rockerdogcast

This week we welcome singer-songwriter, composer and podcasting pioneer Hrishikesh Hirway to the show. Hrishikesh introduces us to his dogs Watson, a 15 year old Poodle, and Ginger, a Poodle/Chihuahua/Mini Schnauzer/Cocker Spaniel mix he and his wife Lindsey adopted in 2024. We discuss their origin stories, where the inspiration for his song "Stray Dogs" came from and how artists like Cat Power, Lorde, Lin Manuel Miranda and Yo Yo Ma became fans of Watson. Hear these and more from this dog loving 2026 I Heart Podcasts Innovator Award winner.Hrishikesh's new LP In The Last Hour of Light is out now and available wherever you stream music. His groundbreaking podcast Song Exploder can be found on all podcast platforms with new episodes dropping biweekly. To keep up on all of Hrishikesh's creative endeavors subscribe to his newsletter at hrishikesh.substack.comHrishikesh gave his shout outs to the following well deserving advocates: Marley's Mutts and their Pawsitive Change program that was built on the belief that redemption and rehabilitation are possible for both dogs and humans. Through this life-changing program, euthanasia-listed dogs are given a second chance at life while incarcerated students are given an opportunity to rediscover purpose, empathy, accountability, and hope. Together, they create a bond rooted in healing, trust, and transformation. To make a contribution to help bring this program back to Wasco State Prison go to marleysmutts.org/pawsitivechange/Wags & Walks, a Los Angeles and Nashville based nonprofit organization and a dedicated community of dog lovers working to reduce euthanasia in local shelters and increase awareness of rescue dogs being wonderful pets. To adopt, foster, volunteer or donate visit wagsandwalks.orgLindsey Hirway whose love and empathy for animals inspired her husband to share the same passion and advocacy towards these creatures. To see that love manifested into two small adorable hair balls follow their pups on Instagram at watson.and.gingerFor pics and clips from this interview, and the almost 200 before it, follow the show on Instagram at rockerdogcast

This week we welcome Ratboys drummer Marcus Nuccio to the show to tell us all about his devilishly handsome 5 year old Australian Cattle Dog Hank. Along with that we also sift through the many dogs that show up on his and the band's Instagram feed, hear about the dog that inspired the song Anywhere off Ratboys latest critically acclaimed LP Singing to an Empty Chair and recount the days Marcus spent as a dog walker in Chicago. Hear these stories and more from this good humored, life long dog guy.Catch Ratboys live on their current When the Sun Explodes North American Summer tour that runs through August. For dates and tickets visit ratboysband.comMarcus gave his episode shout out to Anderson Humane, in South Elgin, Illinois, who for more than six decades have been dedicated to creating positive connections between people and animals by placing more than 4,000 pets into loving homes each year. To adopt, foster, donate, advocate or volunteer visit ahconnects.org to learn more.For more pics and clips of Marcus and Hank from this episode follow the show on Instagram at @rockerdogcast

Encore episode 86 from March 26, 2024It's always nice to introduce a guest by saying they're a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy winning artist. And that's exactly what Matt Sorum, drummer for Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver and The Cult, is and more. Matt joined us to speak about the many dogs he's cared for over his adult life including past dogs Drac (Labrador), Anya (German Shepherd), Miles, Lola and Bowie (Frenchies) and current Frenchies Ella and recently adopted Bonzo.Matt chose to give a shout out to Pet Orphans of Southern California who, for over 40 years, have been dedicated to the advancement of companion animal welfare and to combating overpopulation, abandonment, and the need for euthanasia. To adopt, foster, volunteer or donate visit petorphans.orgTo see pics and clips of Matt, his dogs and all our other guests follow Rocker Dogcast on Instagram.

Encore episode with Leland Sklar from February 25, 2025.If the movie world has 6° of separation from Kevin Bacon then the music world would have 3° of separation from legendary bassist Leland Sklar. Leland has appeared on over 2000 albums and has played and/or toured with a who's who in music including James Taylor, Jackson Browne and Phil Collins to name only a few. And if you seek out Leland on social media or his popular YouTube channel you discover right away he's a consummate dog guy as well so it was an absolute thrill to have him come on the show and discuss his beloved trio of basset hounds Marcello, Rossanos and Romeo.Leland is currently on tour with Lyle Lovett through the start of May. For tickets and info visit tour.lylelovett.comLeland chose to give a shout out to three outstanding dog organizations. Leading off is Canine Companions for Independence who provide service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities and facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice and educational settings. Since their founding in 1975, dogs and all follow-up services are provided at no cost to their clients.  To get involved go to canine.orgDaphneyland Basset Hound Rescue is the only basset rescue specific rehabilitation center in the world. And thanks to the ongoing generosity of thousands of donors, volunteers and adopters, thousands of Basset Hounds lives have been saved. To adopt, foster, volunteer or donate visit daphneyland.comAnd lastly there's DaisyLu Ranch who are dedicated to providing a loving and safe home for senior dogs who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected. They believe that every dog deserves to be treated with compassion and dignity, no matter their age or health condition. To adopt, foster, volunteer or donate visit daisyluranch.orgFor more pics and clips of Leland and his pack follow the show on Instagram at rockerdogpodcast/