We have a fantastic show this week anchored by special guest host, Laura Bird Burhenn, who brings an abundance of canine passion and experience to her conversation with Brooklyn-based musician Claud. Claud introduces Laura to their dog Puppet Pants Mintz, who's a Poodle-Bichon Frisé-Pekingese mix, and discusses Puppet's origin story, separation anxiety and the importance of community when it comes to raising a dog as a touring musician. Great chat between these two dog-worshiping singer-songwriters.

Claud's new album Me and the Music just hit platforms and shelves on October 23rd via Dead Oceans Records. Stream it, grab the CD or clear cobalt vinyl at secretlystore.com. And catch Claud live in early 2027. For tour dates and details go to claud.online

Claud gave their shout out to Animal Haven, a nonprofit organization that finds homes for abandoned cats and dogs throughout the Tri-State area, and provides behavior intervention when needed to improve chances of adoption. To adopt, volunteer or make a donation visit animalhaven.org

If you follow the alternative rock band Local H on social media then you're no stranger to Karen, their 8 year old, black pittie mix who's become their mascot. In this episode we zoom in with band founder Scott Lucas to hear more of Karen's story and how this complex girl went from being a dog shot in a police search to a tour dog who's seen more of the country than most people.

Local H's breakthrough album As Good As Dead  30th Anniversary Edition is out now and available on double-vinyl and CD. Go to G&P Records for all Local H music and official merchandise.

Scott gave his allotted shout out to Chi-Town Pitties whose mission is to rescue bully breeds in need and from high kill shelters while cultivating positive, collaborative foster relationships to ensure the ultimate adoptive success of the dogs into loving permanent homes. To adopt, foster, donate or attend an event visit chitownpitties.org for more info and resources.

This week we're talking dogs with Erika Wennerstrom of the band Heartless Bastards. Erika introduces us to her pandemic puppy Piper who's a Chihuahua - Pit Bull mix. As you'll hear, Piper is a well travelled dog who has visited 45 states, toured with The Flaming Lips and is snake trained to steer clear of those slithering reptiles. Lots of great stories from this adventure seeking duo.

Erika and the Heartless Bastards will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of their second album All This Time with December shows in Evanston IL, Cleveland OH, Dayton OH, Houston TX and Austin TX. For tickets go to theheartlessbastards.com/tour

Erika gave her Rocker Dogcast shout out to CityVet | Mueller Veterinarian Clinic and Urgent Care in Austin, TX, who understand that your pets are a crucial part of your family and offer a wide range of veterinary services, including preventive care, dental care, surgery, and more.  To request an appointment visit cityvet.com/location/mueller

Today we welcome back the show's first returning guest in singer-songwriter Brooke Annibale. Brooke visited the podcast back in the Fall of 2022 as our eighth ever guest and now comes back to us with two new dogs and four years of new experiences. Her power trio of dogs now consists of, one-time newbie now leader of the pack, Rigby who's a super mutt from the South, Jupiter the Australian Shepherd (and certified therapy dog) and Mango the obligatory chihuahua their household must always have. Great catching up and sharing new stories with this down-to-earth, dedicated dog Mom.

Brooke just released a terrific new album called Bolder Font in which she wrote, recorded, produced and mixed herself. It's available wherever you stream or buy music but the best way is to get it is straight from the source at brookeannibale.com/#store where you can also find hand-written lyrics, merchandise and special edition vinyl.

Brooke gave her shout out to Patience Inspired Dog Training (PIDT) in Coventry, Rhode Island who, for over 15 years, have been serving the pets and families in the area with obedience dog training and behavioral interventions. To sign up for any of their array of classes and clinics visit patiencedogtraining.com

Prolific and versatile musician Alan Sparhawk of the pioneering slowcore band Low joins the show this week to introduce us to his 6 year old half Pitbull, half Labrador Retriever, Blue. If you follow Alan on Instagram you may have seen his "Bath Time with Blue" video series where he performs an acoustic song in his bathroom followed by giving Blue a bath. The song and the bath are both intimate experiences in their own right and really set the tone of the mutually beneficial relationship build on trust, respect and understanding that Alan and Blue share.

Catch a special screening of the iconic 1922 silent film Nosferatu, brought to life with a live, original score composed and performed by Circuit Des Yeux and accompanied by special guest Alan Sparhawk. For tickets and info go to alansparhawk.com/tour

Alan gave his shout out to Wildwoods in Duluth, Minnesota who are a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife, and to the reconciliation of humans and nature through education. To learn more about what you should do if you find a wild animal that needs help visit wildwoodsrehab.org

They say when you're a musician for hire the x-factor that gets you the gig is how well you can hang with the others in the band so it's no surprise that this week's guest, percussionist Everett Bradley, has landed tours with both Brice Springsteen and Bon Jovi. Everett zooms in to the show from Harlem to introduce us to his pandemic pup Ella, who's a 6 year old Poodle, Chihuahua, Havanese, Pekinese and Shitzu mix. Fun conversation from this charismatic and good humored dog dad.

Keep an eye on Everett's social media for his Holidelic 2026 20th Anniversary Tour celebrating two decades of booty shakin', earthquakin', and never ever fakin' da holiday funk.  Ticket info will be out soon.

Everett gave his dog-do-gooder shout out to Tracy Area Animal Rescue, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit in southwest Minnesota whose mission is to reunite, rescue, care for and adopt out lost, abused or surrendered animals. To adopt, donate or get a list of veterinary care assistance resources visit tracyareaanimalrescue.com

For more pics and clips of Everett and Ella follow the show on Instagram at @rockerdogcast

Nick Carpenter can be found in record racks and streaming apps as Medium Build. He can also be found running or hiking in Alaska, Nashville, Georgia and Los Angeles with one or more of his three dogs. It was an absolute pleasure talking with Nick and getting to know his pack of disparate dogs starting with Huey, a Doodle he shares with an ex, Brisket, a classic medium build Alaska Brown Dog he adopted to keep Huey company, and Stanley, a Yorkie "purse dog" he never picture himself with. Great talk with a guy I should have told has good "dog energy" with his affable, open and humorous demeanor.

Medium Build's new LP The King of Having Fun is out now and available everywhere. His must-see live show will be hitting the road on October 4th at the legendary 9:30 Club in Washington DC. For tour dates and tickets go to mediumbuildmusic.com

Nick gave a well-informed shout out to both Wags & Walks and the Alaska SPCA (now Alaska PAWS). Wags & Walks is a frequent guest favorite who are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with 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.org

Alaska SPCA is now now Alaska PAWS (Partners for Animal Welfare and Safety). It's a new name with the same mission to provide affordable veterinary care, community outreach, shelter and adoption services, pet retention programs, emergency assistance, and partnerships that help pets and people across Alaska. For more information on the services available visit alaskaspca.org

For more with Medium Build and his dogs check out our new short video feature The Zoomies available on YouTube.

This week we're back to the City of Brotherly Love in talking with Matt Scottoline, the driving force behind the Philadelphia based power pop band Hurry. Matt introduces us to his dog (and LP cover model) Hugo, who's an eclectic mix of Shitzu, Husky, Boxer and Dachshund to name a few of the 13 breeds the DNA test revealed.

Hurry's latest album Zoned Out was released back in July and is available now in physical and digital form via Lame-O Records.

Matt gave a shout out to the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) who each year, find loving homes for thousands of animals in need and enables thousands more families to keep their cherished pets. Through rescue efforts, community support, and surrender prevention, PAWS is working to make Philadelphia a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home. To adopt, foster, volunteer or donate go to phillypaws.org

It wasn't surprising to find there's no real canine inspiration behind the long time Toronto based punk band named Pup with a 2025 album called Who Will Look After The Dogs. But that doesn't mean Pup drummer Zack Mykula doesn't have some interesting personal dog experiences of his own. Zack joins the show to introduce us to his tripod dog Jack, who's a "potcake" or mixed breed dog from the Dominican Republic. We cover a number of topics including Jack's adoption story, how he brought out a nurturing side of Zack and one interpretation of what the band's name represents in a thoughtful and enlightening conversation.

Pup will be playing an intimate Riot Fest Late Night gig at Metro on September 18th and Riot Fest on September 19th in Douglass Park, Chicago. For tickets and info visit puptheband.com/#tour

Zack's shout out went to Urban Tails in Ontario who are dedicated to improving the lives of animals in need through community support, adoption, and advocacy. To adopt, foster, volunteer or learn more about their community support programs visit urbantailsnetwork.org

Singer-songwriter, writer, producer and activist Laura Bird Burhenn joins the show to introduce us to her spirit-lifting 5 year old dog Eero, who's a mix of twenty-one breeds with Collie, Pit Bull, Shepherd and Chow at the top of the list. We also remember Laura's soul dog Charlie, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever mix who was a true rocker dog that was raised in her record company's office, crisscrossed the US on tour, slept onstage while she sang, starred in music videos and made Late Night TV appearances. We touch upon all of this and more from an artist with an unwavering passion, dedication and advocacy for dogs, animals and humanity.

Laura will be playing a solo set at The Power of Us: Rock the Resistance concert at The Admiral in Omaha NE on Thursday, October 1st. For tickets go to admiralomaha.com

Laura gave her shout outs to three great organizations:

Pups without Borders - Founded in March 2020, with a simple mission: to step in where the need is greatest and provide lifesaving care for dogs who might otherwise be overlooked — especially pregnant mothers, nursing litters, and vulnerable puppies. PWB is focused on creating real, lasting change through medical care, spay and neuter, and responsible placement. To learn more of the many ways you can help visit pupswithoutborders.org

The REAL Bark - Takes discarded, abused, and forgotten lives in – heals them – and gently places them back on a path towards a new protected and celebrated life. The "REAL" stands for: RESPONSIBLE - ETHICAL - ANIMAL - LEAGUE. To adopt, foster, volunteer or donate go to therealbark.org

Nebraska Humane Society of Omaha - Whose mission is to protect, save and enrich the lives of animals in the communities they serve. To learn more of their services, programs and ways to get involved visit nehumanesociety.org

For more pics and clips of Laura, Eero and Charlie follow the show on Instagram at @rockerdogcast

This week we talk dogs with Elena Cataraga, who is better known as Lena Scissorhands, lead singer of the Eastern European metal band Infected Rain. Lena introduces us to her 7 1/2 year old Miniature Schnauzer Luna who is a certified service dog that Lena credits with giving her unwavering support, comfort and physical assistance. Luna is a constant companion who accompanies Lena most everywhere she goes so there's a lot of shared experiences to hear about from this globe-trotting duo.

Catch Lena and Infected Rain at their last live show of 2026 on October 24th at Full Metal Holiday on the Spanish island of Mallorca. For tickets visit infectedrain.com/tours/

Lena gave her shout out to All Friends Animal Sanctuary who provide love and respect for all animals who need a sanctuary to live out their lives in peace and freedom from exploitation by providing the opportunity for safe, enriching and nourishing futures. To join them in making a difference in the lives of farmed animals visit allfriendsanimalsanctuary.org