Podcast Summary: The Bobby Bones Show — BOBBYCAST Ep. 561 with Dr. Josie

Date: December 9, 2025
Host: Bobby Bones
Guest: Dr. Josie, Veterinarian & podcast host ("In The Vet’s Office")

Overview

This episode dives deep into the modern world of veterinary care with Dr. Josie, discussing the rise of pet cloning, the emotional and ethical complexity of putting animals down, the realities of running a concierge vet practice in Nashville, and a wide array of colorful anecdotes about pet ownership, celebrity clients, and life changes. The tone is candid, witty, and empathetic, with a mix of humor and thought-provoking insight into animal care and human relationships with pets.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Wild World of Pet Cloning

• Dr. Josie's Firsthand Account with a Cloned Dog

  • Dr. Josie cares for a client’s cloned dog and describes the uncanny results:
    • “The clone is an identical replica. Looks wise, but personality wise, completely different.” (02:38, 20:06)
    • Cost of cloning: "Yeah, it's about 50 grand." (20:44)
  • The clone, while genetically identical, had a totally different disposition due to unique life experiences.
  • Other species —like horses—are frequently cloned, especially in high-level polo circles in Argentina: “Thousands of horses have been cloned...riding and playing clones of the best polo horses ever.” (22:10)
  • Bobby marvels at potential criminal implications: “What would keep me then from...breaking into a stable, take a little skin and get out. Like, that's the ultimate heist...” (23:24–23:31)

• Ethical Dilemma

  • Both agree: cloning is not a guarantee you’ll get the same beloved pet, and with so many animals in need of adoption, it’s not an appealing option for Bobby or Dr. Josie.

The Hardest Part of Being a Vet

• Euthanasia: The Emotional Toll

  • Both share heart-wrenching stories about putting down beloved pets; Dr. Josie calls this “my least favorite part of my job.” (15:31)
  • Bobby reflects:
    • “I'm so grateful that I was so sad...because had I not been so sad, none of that would have mattered for 12 or 13 years. I had a great 12, 13 years with that dog.” (18:34–18:52)
  • Dr. Josie notes the ability—and necessity—for vets to compartmentalize emotion to provide the best care, recounting how she can’t perform anesthesia on her own animals for that very reason (11:17).

• Dealing with Animal Aggression & Regional Realities

  • Dr. Josie explains how aggressive dogs sometimes must be euthanized, stressing modern humane methods as opposed to old country practices (15:02–15:22).
  • They discuss whether such actions in previous generations (like Bobby’s childhood) make people "bad," both agreeing these were choices based on resources, not malice.

The Vet’s Life and Moving to Nashville

• Change and Challenge in New Cities

  • Both Bobby and Dr. Josie recount their moves to Austin and Nashville, highlighting the stress, loneliness, and how important pets were as sources of stability and growth (16:26–18:18, 30:53–34:23).

• Transition to Concierge Veterinary Practice

  • Dr. Josie reveals why she moved away from a brick-and-mortar clinic: long hours, stress management, and a desire for better work-life balance (35:03).
  • Now as a concierge vet, she visits clients’ homes. This brings unique situations, from witnessing family arguments to managing high-trust relationships (03:57–05:21).
    • “People will give me their gate codes or their door codes. I go into their homes all the time without them being home. There's a lot of trust for your job.” (04:56–05:10)

Celebrity Clients & Podcasting Life

• Star-Studded Pets

  • Dr. Josie’s roster includes:
    • Thomas Rhett & Lauren Akins: “They had…three dogs. Two of them passed away this year.” (56:26–56:31)
    • Charlie Handsome, songwriter for Morgan Wallen/Post Malone, Kirk Herbstreit, and Mackenzie Porter.
  • She hints at strict client confidentiality, sharing only what’s already public (56:21–58:28).

• Podcasting Behind the Scenes

  • Dr. Josie shares how challenging it is to continually create engaging veterinary podcast content, and the premium listeners place on animal stories (55:45–56:10).
  • Her own show, "In The Vet’s Office," is returning for a fourth season with a lineup of fascinating pet-centered stories and guests (71:13–72:18).
    • “People love to talk about their dogs. They love it.” (72:23)

Breed Challenges, Bulldog Woes, and Rescue Insights

• Bulldogs: Adoration vs. Ethics

  • Both lament the rampant health issues and suffering commonly seen in bulldogs due to breeding practices:
    • “I do not recommend them and I have to say I love mine…unless you have a lot of money, I am going to spend tens of thousands…” (44:45–44:54).
    • “You would be hard pressed to find a vet…that would not agree with you [on the breeds’ suffering].” (45:50–45:55)
  • Stanley’s (Bobby’s bulldog) ongoing medical journey exemplifies both the expense and emotional labor of specialized breeds (44:54–47:09).

• Mutts and Rescue Advocacy

  • Dr. Josie’s favorite? “A good old fashioned mutt…they’re healthy…dogs that come from the shelter…they know they've been rescued and they're grateful.” (54:18–54:38)

• Canine Psychology and Transformation

  • Discussion of Bobby’s rescue dog, Eller, and how stability, structure, and compassion transformed her behavior and personality (53:06–54:08).

Notable, Candid, and Humorous Moments

• On the Emotionality of Animal Loss
  • “I'd rather see every human die. Don’t touch the dog.” — Bobby (10:40)
• On Cloning Crime and Horse Racing
  • “Like, that’s the ultimate heist of a million dollar horse...just break in, take a little skin, and get out.” — Bobby (23:24–23:31)
• On Dog Poop and Smells
  • “Anal glands, I’ve had horrible things happen to me in the vet field. I almost fainted multiple times in my first trimester because of the smells.” — Dr. Josie (43:10–43:24)
• On Celebrity Encounters
  • “You ever met Sarah McLachlan? No, but I hate that commercial.” — Dr. Josie (55:08–55:13)
• On Podcast Popularity
  • “I'm getting a lot of people asking me. Wow. Okay. Flex. Go ahead. You can’t go anywhere without people asking.” — Bobby (71:02–71:06)

Timestamped Highlights (Approximate)

• [02:38, 20:06] – Dr. Josie on cloned dogs: appearance vs. personality
• [18:34–18:52] – Bobby on the bittersweet gift of grief after pet loss
• [23:24–23:31] – Bobby’s ‘perfect crime’ cloning horses
• [35:03–35:34] – Transition from traditional to concierge vet practice
• [43:10–43:24] – Pregnancy, vet smells, and almost fainting
• [45:50–46:46] – The ethical problem with bulldog breeding
• [54:18–54:38] – Dr. Josie on mutts being the best dogs
• [56:21–58:28] – Celebrity clients and keeping a low profile
• [71:13–72:18] – The upcoming season of "In The Vet’s Office"

Memorable Quotes

• On the realities of pet cloning:

  "The clone is an identical replica. Looks wise, but personality wise, completely different."
  — Dr. Josie (02:38, 20:06)

• On letting go of a beloved pet:

  "I'm so grateful that I was so sad...because had I not been so sad, none of that would have mattered for 12 or 13 years."
  — Bobby (18:34–18:52)

• On the value of rescue dogs:

  "Dogs that come from the shelter, I think they know they've been rescued and they're grateful."
  — Dr. Josie (54:38)

• On bulldogs and breed suffering:

  "You would be hard pressed to find a vet or anyone in the animal world that would not agree with you."
  — Dr. Josie (45:50–45:55)

• On making big moves and life changes:

  “Going to a new city is tough…I went by myself and just sat on my thumb when I wasn’t at work.”
  — Bobby (31:18–31:26)

Final Thoughts

• The conversation weaves seamlessly between humor, empathy, skepticism, and genuine wonder at how far veterinary science and pet culture have evolved.
• Dr. Josie’s firsthand stories about high-profile animal cloning, her frank honesty about euthanasia and breed suffering, and the inside look into concierge vet care offers valuable understanding for any pet owner or animal lover.
• The episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in real-world veterinary care, the complicated relationship between humans and their pets, and the surprising intersections of science, celebrity, and everyday life.

For more: Check out Dr. Josie’s podcast, "In the Vet’s Office," and follow her on Instagram @drjosievet