Pet parents navigating the overwhelming pain of pet loss will find essential guidance and comfort in this profound episode featuring grief counselor Bonnie Goodman. Dr. Randy and Bonnie hold a compassionate discussion about the challenging reality of disenfranchised grief—the societal lack of validation for losing a companion—and offer heartfelt strategies for coping with profound sadness. Learn about the "contract with grief" we sign when we become pet owners, and how to manage the intense guilt associated with euthanasia, which is often the last, most difficult act of love for your pet.

The conversation delves into the complex nature of anticipatory grief when a pet is ill, and how different human attachment styles influence the intensity of an adult’s grieving process. Pet parents with children will find vital advice on how to honestly discuss death without using confusing euphemisms, while the hosts also address how to support a surviving pet that may be grieving the loss of their companion. Bonnie Goodman shares practical strategies, such as writing a goodbye letter, and encourages pet owners to seek support from resources like the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB) to give themselves permission to feel the depth of their loss without shame.

#PetLossGrief #DisenfranchisedGrief #PetParents #holisticvet

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Products and Resources I Recommend
Microbiome Testing
Animal Biome - Gut Microbiome Health Test

Nutrition
K9 Natural

Feline Natural

Just for Dogs
Farmers Dog

Other...