What happens when passion for Westies, natural dog health, ethical business, and dog nutrition collide? You build a movement. 🐾

In this episode, Alex Griffin of The Westies & Besties Podcast joins the Wags & Wellness with Rachel Down to share how Westies & Besties Magazine grew into a thriving dog community — championing responsible breeding, holistic dog care, and better nutrition for Westies, Labradors, and dog lovers everywhere.

🐶 Like this video, subscribe, and hit the bell 🔔 to never miss Westie tips, health advice, and dog owner stories! 💬 Comment below with your questions we love hearing from our community! 🔗 Share this video with friends who love Westies and dogs!

The conversation also explores:

The shift toward holistic and natural dog health

Responsible breeding and the message: “Adopt, don’t shop.”

The growing importance of nutrition — including bone broth for dogs

The expansion into podcasting, YouTube, and new publishing ventures including Who Adores Labradors & Retrievers

This episode is packed with insights for dog owners, pet entrepreneurs, and anyone passionate about ethical business, community building, and improving dog health naturally.

“We’re aiming high.”

🐶 What You’ll Learn:

✔ How Westies & Besties Magazine began

✔ Why community is everything for Westie owners

✔ The role of natural health and nutrition in dog wellbeing

✔ The future of ethical publishing in the pet industry

✔ What’s next for Westies, Labradors, and beyond

📌 Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:46 The Journey of Westies and Besties Magazine

06:07 Building a Community for Westie Owners

09:00 Ethics and Morals in Business

11:53 The Launch of the Podcast

14:51 Connecting with Westie Owners

17:38 The Importance of Natural Health

20:49 Exploring Other Dog Breeds

23:36 Nutrition and Health for Dogs

26:28 The Role of Bone Broth in Dog Health

29:38 Future Plans and Collaborations

🌐 Website: https://westiesandbestiesmagazine.com/shop/

🎙 Podcast: Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/20GvIwQaOpJKEUxVPCsRmk?si=3b8babc4c70d4864

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-westies-besties-podcast/id1845688452

📸 Instagram: @westiesbestiesmagazine | Facebook: @WestieBestieMag | TikTok: @westiesandbestiesmag

🎥 More videos & Shorts: @WestiesandBestiesTV/shorts

🚀 The pet industry is changing fast — and if you don’t adapt, you’ll get left behind.

In this episode of The Westies & Besties Podcast, we sit down with Clayton Payne, a leading voice in the pet industry with over 30 years of experience, to unpack what’s really happening behind the scenes of pet retail, e-commerce, veterinary innovation, and consumer trust.

From the rise of e-commerce and global competition to the growing importance of specialisation, authority, and education, Clayton shares no-nonsense insights into what independent pet retailers and brands must do to survive — and thrive. We dive deep into AI in veterinary practices, how technology is reshaping customer relationships, and why transparency in pet food, nutrition, and sourcing has never mattered more.

Clayton also explains why social media marketing isn’t optional anymore, how independent retailers can cut through the noise online, and why community and collaboration will define the future of the pet industry. This episode is packed with real-world experience, bold opinions, and practical advice for anyone working in — or passionate about — pets.

🐾 Like this video, subscribe, and hit the bell 🔔 to get all our Westie tips and expert advice. 💬 Comment below with your Westie’s quirks — we love hearing from our community!

🎧 In this episode, we cover:

• How the pet industry has evolved from retail to e-commerce
• Why independent pet stores must specialise and “own” their niche
• The impact of AI and technology on veterinary care
• Educating today’s pet consumer in a crowded marketplace
• Pet market trends and changing consumer behaviour
• Social media strategies for pet retailers and brands
• Transparency, trust, and value in pet products
• Building stronger communities within the pet industry

💬 Stand-out sound bites:

“You need to dominate your sector.”

“You can’t just put up any post.”

“The more points of view, the better.”

🌐 Website: https://westiesandbestiesmagazine.com/shop/

🎙 Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/20GvIwQaOpJKEUxVPCsRmk?si=3b8babc4c70d4864

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-westies-besties-podcast/id1845688452

📸 Instagram: @westiesbestiesmagazine | Facebook: @WestieBestieMag | TikTok: @westiesandbestiesmag 🎥 More videos & Shorts: @WestiesandBestiesTV/shorts

👉 Whether you’re a pet retailer, brand owner, vet professional, or pet industry entrepreneur, this episode offers a powerful look at where the industry is heading — and how to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving market.

Alex Griffin interviews Rachel Down of Boil & Broth and The British Broth Company on the benefits of bone broth for gut health, natural nutrition, microbiome balance, and holistic wellness for both humans and dogs.

🐾 Like this video, subscribe, and hit the bell 🔔 to get all our Westie tips and expert advice. 💬 Comment below with your Westie’s quirks — we love hearing from our community!

Takeaways

• Rachel's journey into bone broth began after struggling with health issues post-pregnancy.
• Bone broth has significant benefits for gut health and overall wellness.
• The process of making bone broth involves boiling bones with water and apple cider vinegar.
• Bone broth can be beneficial for dogs, helping with digestive issues and overall health.
• The Biome Broth Study showed a 99% increase in beneficial gut bacteria in dogs after consuming bone broth.
• Natural nutrition is becoming increasingly important as people seek alternatives to processed foods.
• Self-reliance and home cooking are essential in today's food landscape.
• Bone broth can help reduce symptoms related to various health conditions.
• Quality sourcing of ingredients is crucial for effective bone broth.
• The podcast aims to educate listeners on natural health and wellness practices.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Bone Broth and Rachel Down

01:13 Rachel's Personal Health Journey

06:18 The Birth of Boil & Broth

10:12 Understanding Bone Broth: Process and Benefits

20:17 Bone Broth for Dogs: Health Benefits and Usage

25:36 The Biome Broth Study: Insights and Findings

34:02 The Shift Towards Natural Health Solutions

36:44 Navigating Information Overload

37:25 The Benefits of Bone Broth

38:04 Gut Health and Its Importance

39:24 Natural vs. Processed Supplements

41:06 Introducing Bone Broth to Dogs

43:08 Sourcing Quality Ingredients

46:23 Understanding Bone Broth Quality

49:02 Consumer Awareness and Transparency

51:47 The Financial Benefits of Natural Health

53:06 The Impact of COVID on Health Awareness

55:03 Food Security and Self-Reliance

57:54 Practical Steps for Home Preparedness

01:00:49 The Future of Food and Control

01:02:21 Connecting with Rachel and Resources

🌐 Website: https://westiesandbestiesmagazine.com/shop/

🎙 Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/20GvIwQaOpJKEUxVPCsRmk?si=3b8babc4c70d4864

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-westies-besties-podcast/id1845688452

📸 Instagram: @westiesbestiesmagazine | Facebook: @WestieBestieMag | TikTok: @westiesandbestiesmag

🎥 More videos & Shorts: @WestiesandBestiesTV/shorts

For more information on Bone Broth Study: https://boilandbroth.com/pages/the-biome-broth-study-results