Hi, I'm John.
This is Bettle. 🐕
That's Bettle.
A Jack Russell terrier who came into my life in 2021 and has been rearranging my schedule, my furniture, and my idea of a quiet evening ever since. Swap this photo for one of the two of you when you have a favourite.
I'm not a vet, a trainer, or a "pet influencer." I'm just someone who lives with a dog and got tired of wading through sponsored listicles to find anything useful.
Bettle is a Jack Russell terrier who came into my life in 2021. The first few months were equal parts wonderful and completely overwhelming. I bought things I didn't need, followed advice that didn't work, and spent more on gadgets than I'd like to admit.
Slowly, I figured out what actually mattered — and, just as importantly, what didn't. I started writing it down so I wouldn't forget, and because I figured other people were probably as confused as I was.
Why this newsletter exists
There's no shortage of dog content online. Most of it falls into two buckets: cold corporate articles written to rank on Google, or breathless influencer posts where everything is "amazing" because someone got paid to say so.
I wanted something in between. A short, honest note from a real person — the kind of thing a knowledgeable friend might text you. That's what My Dog, My Life is. One email a week, written by me, about the everyday reality of living with a dog.
What you can expect
- One email a week, on Sunday. Short enough to read with your coffee.
- Practical tips I've actually tried with Bettle — what worked, what flopped, and why.
- Honest gear and food notes. If I recommend something, it's because I use it myself.
- Real stories. The 3am wake-ups, the training setbacks, the small wins that make it worth it.
How I keep this honest
Running a newsletter costs money, so some links in my emails are affiliate links — if you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. That's how this stays free for you.
But here's the line I won't cross: I only link to things I'd recommend regardless. No paid placements dressed up as reviews, no "top 10" lists padded with junk. If a product is bad, I'll say so. If I haven't tried something, I won't pretend I have. You can read the full affiliate disclosure here.
A quick promise
No spam. No selling your email to anyone. No daily barrage. One email a week, and an easy unsubscribe link in every single one.
One more thing
I'm not an expert and I don't pretend to be. When something is outside my lane — serious health questions, behavioral issues — I'll point you to people who know more than I do (starting with your vet). What I can offer is the perspective of someone in the trenches with you.
If that sounds like your kind of newsletter, I'd love to have you along. There’s a free guide matched to your dog’s stage in it for you, too.
— John
and Bettle, Chief Morale Officer 🐾