The Westies & Besties Podcast

How aware are you of what is happening around you when you’re walking your Westie?In this episode of The Westies & Besties Podcast, host Alex Griffin is joined by Mick Hawkes, a former British military serviceman with 24 years of military experience, including more than 10 years with 22 SAS, who later worked as a military adviser with MI5 and spent more than 20 years in international corporate security.As part of our Ask The Expert series, Mick answers real questions from Westie guardians around the world about situational awareness, personal safety and staying alert while walking your dog.From London and Manchester to Toronto, New York, Dublin, Dubai, Melbourne, Paris and Auckland, our audience asks Mick how to recognise potential risks and, most importantly, how to avoid them.What You'll Learn🐾 Why putting your phone away can dramatically improve your awareness 🐾 How routine can create complacency — and why changing your walking routes can help 🐾 Why you should look further ahead and scan your surroundings 🐾 How to trust your instincts when something doesn't feel right 🐾 Why having an exit strategy is so important 🐾 What to do if you feel you are being followed 🐾 How to deal with approaching dogs and potentially difficult situations 🐾 How to stay aware when walking with children and your Westie 🐾 Why avoidance is usually better than confrontation 🐾 How simple habits can make situational awareness second nature 🐾 Personal safety tips for walking alone, particularly at night 🐾 Why headphones can reduce your awareness 🐾 The importance of knowing your route and what is ahead of youMick also shares practical advice about hotel safety, including knowing your emergency exit route and keeping essential items accessible.The key message throughout the episode is simple: stay aware, keep your head up, look around you and know what is happening approximately 100 metres ahead.This isn't about being paranoid. It's about developing simple habits that can help you, your family and your dog stay safer.Chapters00:00 – Introduction & Meet Mick Hawkes 02:00 – Why Situational Awareness Matters 04:00 – Put Your Phone Away 06:00 – Avoiding Routine & Complacency 08:00 – Prioritising Traffic, Dogs & People 10:00 – Trusting Your Instincts 12:00 – Having an Exit Strategy 14:00 – Dealing With Reactive Dogs 16:00 – Walking With Children & Dogs 18:00 – Awareness Through Practice 20:00 – Avoidance Over Confrontation 22:00 – What To Do If You Feel Followed 24:00 – Staying Safe When Walking Alone 26:00 – Hotel Safety Tips 29:00 – Quick-Fire Personal Safety Questions 42:00 – Mick's Biggest Safety Tip 44:00 – Closing Thoughts 🌐 Website: https://westiesandbestiesmagazine.com/shop/📸 Instagram: @westiesbestiesmagazine | Facebook: @WestieBestieMag | TikTok: @westiesandbestiesmag🎥 More videos & Shorts: @WestiesandBestiesTV/shortsGuest linksWebsite's - https://www.hawkesandco.ukThe Westies & Besties Podcast is brought to you by Westies & Besties Magazine, dedicated to helping every West Highland White Terrier live a full, happy and healthy life.🎙️ Listen. Learn. Share. Stay safe.

Could red light therapy help a stiff dog after exercise? What about arthritis, muscle injuries, recovery after surgery or the soreness experienced by active and sporting dogs?In Part 2 of Ask The Expert, our brand-new series on The Westies & Besties Podcast, we continue putting YOUR questions directly to our expert panel.We're joined by Ruth Milner of Photizo, who specialises in photobiomodulation and red light therapy, to answer more of the questions sent in by our Westie community from around the world.This time, we're getting into the practical side of PBM and exploring:Can red light therapy help muscle soreness, strains, stiffness and spasms? Could photobiomodulation support dogs with arthritis? Should you treat the joint itself or the surrounding muscles and soft tissue? Could PBM be used following injury or surgery and throughout rehabilitation? Can red light therapy support muscle recovery after strenuous exercise? Could it have a role in agility, flyball, working and other canine athletes?Ruth also explains why treating the areas surrounding an affected joint or injury can be important, how PBM may be incorporated alongside physiotherapy, massage, conditioning and other forms of rehabilitation, and why veterinary assessment remains essential when a dog has suffered a suspected injury.We also explore the growing interest in red light therapy among canine athletes, working dogs and active dogs, including its potential role as part of warm-up, cool-down and recovery routines.If you've been searching for answers to questions such as "Can red light therapy help dogs with arthritis?", "Can PBM help a dog's recovery after surgery?", "Does red light therapy help muscle soreness in dogs?", "Can red light therapy help sporting dogs recover?" or simply want to understand more about this increasingly discussed therapy, this episode dives deep into the questions that matter to dog guardians.And remember — this is Ask The Expert, where your questions drive the conversation.Ask The Expert is where YOUR questions meet our panel of expert veterinarians, specialists, nutritionists, behaviourists, breeders, rescue experts and more. We dive deep into the topics that matter most to Westie guardians around the world — helping you give your Westie the happiest, healthiest life possible. Subscribe for new episodes.The information discussed in this episode is educational and should not replace veterinary advice. Always consult your vet regarding your dog's individual health, diagnosis and treatment.🎙️ The Westies & Besties Podcast Brought to you by Westies & Besties Magazine Hosted by Alex Griffin, Founder of Westies & Besties🌐 Website: https://westiesandbestiesmagazine.com/shop/📸 Instagram: @westiesbestiesmagazine | Facebook: @WestieBestieMag | TikTok: @westiesandbestiesmag🎥 More videos & Shorts: @WestiesandBestiesTV/shortsGuest linksFacebook - Photizo Light Therapy | Pretoria | FacebookWebsite's - PHOTIZO VETCARE – Photizo United Kingdom

Could a simple beam of red or near-infrared light really help support your dog's recovery, mobility and wellbeing? And what actually happens inside your dog's body when the light is applied?Welcome to Ask The Expert, a brand-new series on The Westies & Besties Podcast, where we take YOUR questions from our Westie communities around the world and put them directly to highly qualified experts in their specialist fields.For our first Ask The Expert episode, we're joined once again by Ruth Milner of Photizo to answer your questions about photobiomodulation (PBM), also known as red light therapy.In Part 1, we explore:What exactly is photobiomodulation or PBM? How does red and near-infrared light interact with a dog's cells? What happens inside the mitochondria and why is cellular energy important? Why is PBM described as a non-invasive treatment? Are there risks, side effects or situations where extra care is needed? How deeply can red and near-infrared light actually penetrate into a dog's body?Ruth explains the science in practical, easy-to-understand terms, including the role of cellular energy, inflammation, blood flow, tissue repair and the body's natural healing processes.If you've ever searched "Does red light therapy work for dogs?", "What is photobiomodulation?", "Is red light therapy safe for dogs?", "Can red light therapy help dog pain or mobility?" or wondered whether PBM could have a place alongside other approaches to your dog's health and recovery, this episode is for you.This is just Part 1 — and there's much more to come.Ask The Expert is where YOUR questions meet our panel of expert veterinarians, specialists, nutritionists, behaviourists, breeders, rescue experts and more. We dive deep into the topics that matter most to Westie guardians around the world — helping you give your Westie the happiest, healthiest life possible. Subscribe for new episodes.🎙️ The Westies & Besties Podcast Brought to you by Westies & Besties Magazine Hosted by Alex Griffin, Founder of Westies & BestiesThe information discussed in this episode is educational and should not replace veterinary advice. Always consult your vet regarding your dog's individual health, diagnosis and treatment. 🌐 Website: https://westiesandbestiesmagazine.com/shop/📸 Instagram: @westiesbestiesmagazine | Facebook: @WestieBestieMag | TikTok: @westiesandbestiesmag🎥 More videos & Shorts: @WestiesandBestiesTV/shortsGuest linksFacebook - Photizo Light Therapy | Pretoria | FacebookWebsite's - PHOTIZO VETCARE – Photizo United Kingdom

Want to write a book but don’t know where to start?In this episode of The Westies & Besties Podcast, Alex Griffin chats with author Alison Page, creator of the much-loved Corrie's Capers children's book series, inspired by her beloved Westie, Corrie.Alison's advice for anyone who has a story inside them is wonderfully simple:“Put pen to paper.”Don't worry about making it perfect. Don't worry about having every word in the right order. Don't worry about whether you're good enough.Just get the ideas out of your head and onto the page.Alison explains how the refining process comes later, why writers shouldn't be afraid of their abilities, and how connecting with other writers can help along the journey.She also shares an important lesson about knowing your target audience, something that helped shape the success of Corrie's Capers.Whether you've always dreamed of writing a children's book, a novel, a memoir, a travel book – or even your own story about your beloved dog – perhaps this is the encouragement you've been waiting for.What story have you always wanted to write?Watch, listen and let us know in the comments!🎙️ The Westies & Besties Podcast - Brought to you by Westies & Besties Magazine🐾 The Westies & Besties Podcast brings together leading experts, veterinarians, breeders, behaviourists and passionate Westie owners to help you give your Westie the happiest, healthiest life possible. Subscribe for new episodes.🌐 Website: https://westiesandbestiesmagazine.com/shop/📸 Instagram: @westiesbestiesmagazine | Facebook: @WestieBestieMag | TikTok: @westiesandbestiesmag🎥 More videos & Shorts: @WestiesandBestiesTV/shortsGuest linksFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/arranwestieWebsite's - https://www.westie.scot/https://shop.marysmeals.org.uk/products/corrie-s-capers-the-complete-collection

What makes Westies so special? Are they really stubborn? What should you know about Westie health, nutrition, behaviour, training and ageing? And why was Westies & Besties created in the first place?In this special episode of The Westies & Besties Podcast, Alex Griffin steps away from the usual guest format and answers questions submitted by Westie guardians from across the UK and around the world.From Westie behaviour and training to health, nutrition, gut health, dental care, senior Westies and choosing your first Westie, Alex shares what he has learned through years of living with Westies, researching the breed and building Westies & Besties alongside Kim.The conversation also explores the story behind Westies & Besties and how one very special Westie, Buffy, became the inspiration behind the UK's only publication dedicated to the West Highland White Terrier.🐾 The Westies & Besties Podcast brings together leading experts, veterinarians, breeders, behaviourists and passionate Westie owners to help you give your Westie the happiest, healthiest life possible. Subscribe for new episodes.🐾 Listen. Learn. Stay curious. And give your Westie the best life possible.Chapters00:00 – Welcome to a Special Westies & Besties Q&A Why Alex is answering questions from Westie guardians around the world.01:00 – What Makes Westies Such Special Dogs? Personality, intelligence, loyalty, independence and the famous “Westitude”.04:50 – The Fascinating History of the West Highland White Terrier Colonel Malcolm, Clan Malcolm and the Scottish roots of the breed.06:30 – How Do You Train a Stubborn Westie? Positive reinforcement, consistency, patience and understanding the terrier instinct.08:40 – Westie Health: What Owners Should Know Skin allergies, digestion, dental health, Westie lung disease, ageing and mobility.10:30 – Westies, Nutrition & The Gut Microbiome Why gut health, probiotics and prebiotics have become such important topics.12:00 – Why Was Westies & Besties Created? The story of Buffy and the search for trusted Westie-specific information.15:00 – From Magazine to Westie Media Network How Westies & Besties has expanded across print, digital, podcast, YouTube and social media.16:50 – Building a Global Westie Community Why Westies & Besties has grown far beyond the UK.18:40 – Why Not Just Google Your Westie Question? The importance of trusted, expert-backed and breed-specific information.21:00 – Caring for a Senior Westie Ageing, mobility, cognitive changes, dental care and supporting older dogs.23:30 – Are Westies Really Difficult Dogs? Understanding independence, behaviour and what owners can sometimes misunderstand.25:40 – Thinking About Getting Your First Westie? Breeders, rescues, nutrition, dental care and lessons learned from Buffy.30:30 – Why Westie Nutrition Matters Conflicting advice, fresh food, raw feeding and the importance of researching your options.35:15 – How Westies & Besties Chooses Its Topics Listening to Westie owners and finding experts to answer their questions.40:10 – What Is The Bigger Vision For Westies & Besties? The magazine, website, podcast, YouTube and the future of the Westie community.42:25 – Is Westies & Besties Becoming A Global Community? Supporting Westie guardians and charities around the world.