In this episode of Pawfect Labrador, Yann reflects on the kind of love dogs offer, a love that lands instantly, without negotiation, and quietly reshapes the structure of everyday life.

From growing up surrounded by dogs, to long stretches of adult life without one, this episode explores what it means to live without that grounding presence, and what happens when it finally returns.

Monty didn’t ease his way into Yann’s life. He arrived fully formed, carrying responsibility, trust, and a depth of connection that surprised him with its intensity.

In this episode:

• Why dogs don’t love gradually and why that matters
• The quiet ache of living without a dog when you’re wired to love them
• How dogs regulate our emotions before we realise it’s happening
• Love as responsibility, not sentiment
• Why ordinary moments carry more weight when shared with a dog

At its heart, this episode is about love without conditions, the kind that doesn’t ask who you are, what you do, or whether you’re ready.

Dogs don’t just join our lives. They witness them. Regulate them. Soften them. They give our days rhythm, and our time meaning.

And because their lives are shorter than ours, every walk, every quiet evening, every ordinary moment matters.

If you’ve ever wondered why a dog can matter this much, this episode might help explain it.

P.S. If Pawfect Labrador resonates, following or leaving a review helps it find others who feel the same way.

Monty is one year old. And he already has more friends than I’ve had in my entire life.

In this episode of Pawfect Labrador, Yann reflects on Monty’s remarkable ability to connect; with neighbours, strangers, children, and an ever-growing circle of dog friends.

There are people in the neighbourhood who don’t know Yann’s name, but greet Monty like an old friend. He’s stopped tears on the school run, collected treats from strangers, and quietly become a familiar presence wherever he goes.

From chaotic playdates with Bryan, a near-identical black Labrador, to enthusiastic wrestling matches with Freddy the Dalmatian at dog class, this episode explores what friendship looks like when it comes easily and without effort.

In this episode:

• Why some dogs seem to belong everywhere
• The quiet power of friendliness and curiosity
• What dogs can teach us about connection
• Letting go of overthinking first impressions
• Watching your dog become the social one

At its heart, this episode is about connection without performance, showing up openly, saying hello, and trusting that it’s enough.

Monty doesn’t try to impress. He doesn’t perform. He just exists: friendly, curious, and ready to meet whoever comes next.

If your dog is better known in your neighbourhood than you are, this episode will feel very familiar.

P.S. If Pawfect Labrador resonates, following or reviewing helps it find others who might feel the same.

There’s one thing nobody warns you about when you get a Labrador. Eventually, you’re going to notice something you really didn’t expect to ever talk about.

In this episode of Pawfect Labrador, Yann reflects on Monty’s infamous "pink lipstick”, what it is, why it happens, and why it makes humans far more uncomfortable than dogs.

Monty isn’t embarrassed. He isn’t aware. He isn’t trying to make a statement. He’s simply existing, fully present, entirely unbothered. The awkwardness, it turns out, belongs exclusively to the person holding the lead.

From public walks and unfortunate timing, to the internal monologue that kicks in when you realise other people have definitely noticed, this episode explores one of dog ownership’s least discussed rites of passage.

In this episode:

• Why dogs don’t experience embarrassment the way humans do
• The strange urge to apologise for perfectly normal behaviour
• How projecting human shame onto dogs says more about us
• Learning to stop flinching, explaining, and whispering apologies
• What dogs can teach us about acceptance and self-consciousness

At its heart, this episode is about letting go, of awkwardness, overthinking, and the need to manage how things appear to others.

Monty’s pink lipstick isn’t a problem to solve. It’s a reminder that dogs live honestly, without shame, and without replaying moments long after they’ve passed.

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at the ground on a walk, pretending not to notice something very obvious, this episode will feel uncomfortably familiar.

P.S. If Pawfect Labrador resonates, following or reviewing helps it find others who might feel the same.

There’s one thing everyone knows about Labradors. They love food.

In this episode of Pawfect Labrador, Yann reflects on Monty’s extraordinary appetite, not just what he eats, but what food represents: optimism, joy, restraint, and responsibility.

Monty isn’t simply food motivated. He believes in food. It isn’t a treat, it’s a system. A constant. A moral certainty. Every sound in the house is analysed through the same hopeful question: Could this lead to food?

From precisely weighed gastrointestinal meals that cost far more than they should, to the mysterious objects hoovered up on walks before intervention is even possible, this episode explores what it’s really like to live with a Labrador who treats eating as a full-time occupation.

In this episode:

• The optimism Labradors bring to everyday moments
• The strange guilt of saying no to a dog who looks genuinely deprived
• Why food is both a powerful training tool and a tactical risk
• Managing appetite as an act of care, not denial
• What uncomplicated joy can teach us about living well

At its heart, this episode is about balance, loving something fully while still doing what’s right for it. Finding joy in simple things, without overthinking them.

Monty’s appetite isn’t a flaw. It’s part of who he is. A Labrador who loves food with his whole heart, and quietly reminds us that anticipation can be half the pleasure.

If you’re listening while being stared at by your dog as you eat, this episode will feel very familiar.

P.S. If Pawfect Labrador resonates, following or reviewing helps it find others who might feel the same.

In this first episode of Pawfect Labrador, Yann reflects on how bringing home Monty, a black Labrador with questionable judgement and unconditional love, quietly reshaped everything.

This episode isn’t about perfect training or instant transformation. It’s about the slower, less glamorous changes. Responsibility creeping in. Routines taking hold. The weight, and the privilege, of being everything to another living being.

In this episode:

• The unseen responsibility of loving a dog
• Why structure can feel grounding rather than restrictive
• Dogs and mental health
• Learning patience, consistency, and letting go of perfection
• The trade-offs no one warns you about (mud, fur, and early mornings)

At its heart, this episode is about love without conditions, and how being trusted completely can change how you see yourself.

Pawfect Labrador isn’t about perfect dogs or perfect owners.

It’s about the strange, profound impact of loving a Labrador who has no idea how important he is.

P.S. If Pawfect Labrador resonates, following or reviewing helps it find others who might feel the same.

Welcome to Pawfect Labrador.

This is a podcast about life with Monty, a black Labrador who is very loving, very cheeky, and has strong opinions about whether he should listen to instructions.

Hosted by Yann, Pawfect Labrador isn’t about perfect training or expert advice. It’s about the reality of living with a Labrador. The early mornings, muddy walks, vet visits, unsolicited advice from strangers, and the slow realisation that you’ve reorganised your entire life around a dog who cannot be trusted near socks.

Each episode is a short, honest reflection on dog ownership, routines, responsibility, and the unexpected ways a Labrador can quietly change your life.

If you live with a dog, love Labradors, or enjoy mildly sarcastic reflections on dog ownership, you’ll feel right at home.

New episodes coming soon. Assuming Monty allows it.