Buckle up, friends. Today’s episode is a bumpy ride. Jenny and Katya get deep discussing the trip Jenny took with her board member Megan to Cleveland, Texas. What they witnessed there was upsetting to say the least. Stray dogs. Suffering animals. People in need. We want to take this opportunity to share the experience and talk it out with you in terms of what it means for the community. In terms of how we might be able to help no matter where we are.

It's complicated, the street dog crisis in Cleveland, Texas. Some of the animals are homeless, some dogs have families but are free to roam around and are sadly not in the best shape. But Katya and Jenny debate whether street dogs are better off than shelter dogs - a question that we can’t answer with full certainty as one group struggles openly and another behind bars. The thing is people and pets are always connected - animals need humans but humans also need animals. The dogs of Cleveland, Texas are intertwined with the community, with the people who live there and love them or don't. They carry their stories, they are part of those stories. And how the story will end is up to the support this area gets. 

We wrap up this episode by opening the floor to you, by calling out for your ideas. Tune in, chime in, and share your thoughts on what we can do to address the stray dog crisis in Cleveland. Let's help humans and animals anywhere, everywhere, because the truth is their stories aren't separate from ours. It's the same book we're all part of.

Join The Animal That Changed You community on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -- we're waiting to welcome you! Feel free to check out the website while you're at it.

Please leave a rating or review of the show. Your support matters so much!

Feel free to call ‪(415) 787-3159 to leave a short story about the animal who changed you - we might play yours on our next episode!

Woof, meow, oink, moo, cheep (of course, you know that means thanks for listening.)

Produced by Adode Media; a full-service podcast production agency.