The science of happy dogs and cats with Dr. Zazie Todd

Jean and Karen had the great pleasure of chatting with Dr. Zazie Todd, animal behavior expert and award-winning author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy, Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy and Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog.Zazie is also the host of the second annual Bark! Fest, a virtual book festival for animal lovers. Co-hosted with Kristi Benson, Bark! Fest returns in September 2026 with an extraordinary lineup of authors and conversations.The program explores animal behavior, veterinary science and history, along with a panel devoted to cats and conversations with romance and mystery authors whose books feature dogs. Whether you enjoy science, practical advice, history or a great story with an animal at its heart, there is something in the lineup for you.Jean and Karen talk with Zazie about her work, the inspiration behind Bark! Fest, what attendees can expect and why books can help us better understand the animals who share our lives.The sessions are free and presented live, with opportunities to ask questions, join the conversation and win door prizes. Can’t attend live? You can still register and watch the sessions later. Sign up soon so you don’t miss any of the festival.Bark! Fest 2026 LineupSeptember 14 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ETRory Cellan-Jones, author of Sophie From Romania, and Simon Wooler, author of More Than Just a DogSeptember 15 at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ETCat Warren, author of What the Dog Knows, and Patricia McConnell, author of Away to Me, in conversation with each otherSeptember 16 at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ETLili Chin, author of Dogs of the World; Melissa McCue-McGrath, author of Misadventures of the World’s Okayest Dog Trainer; and Kerry Nichols, author of Puppy BrainSeptember 17 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ETFiona Kenshole presents How to Find an Agent and Get PublishedSeptember 17 at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ETAlexandra Horowitz, author of the second edition of Inside of a DogSeptember 18 at 11 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. ETMeghan Herron and Carlo Siracusa, authors of Decoding Your Cat; Sarah Brown, author of The Hidden Language of Cats; and Caroline Clark, author of A Professional’s Guide to Feline BehaviourSeptember 21 at 11 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. ETJean Donaldson, author of the second edition of Mine!September 22 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ETCanine Crime and Mystery, featuring Blake Mara, author of Paw and Order; Antony Johnston, author of The Dog Sitter Detective Plays Dead; and Louisa Scarr, author of Broken HouseSeptember 23 at 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ETMarc Bekoff, author of Love in Their Hearts, and Alison Pearce Stevens, author of Detective DogsSeptember 24 at 11 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. ETRomance Panel, featuring Julie Haworth, author of New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Café; Nicola Knight, author of Washed Up; and Farrah Rochon, author of Pugs and KissesSeptember 25 at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ETHistory Panel, featuring Philipp Schott, author of Heal the Beasts; Stephanie Howard-Smith, author of Yap! A Short History of Small Dogs; and Jerry D. Moore, author of Cat Tales: A HistoryLearn more and register through the Companion Animal Psychology website:https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/p/home.htmlFollow Companion Animal Psychology on Facebook for Bark! Fest news and updates:https://www.facebook.com/companionanimalpsychology/Join us for a fun and thoughtful conversation about animals, books and a virtual festival created especially for people who love them.And if you enjoy the conversation with Zazie as much as Karen and Jean did, please leave the PawsGo Pawdcast a five-star rating and a nice comment. Both will help more dog lovers discover the Pawdcast!