In this premier episode of The Pahl Paw Patch, Nelson tackles the subject of pet loss and its legitimacy.


Topics in this Episode

• Symptoms of pet loss (1:05)
• You're "weak" and "overreacting" (1:47)
• Society demands that you feel shame (2:12)
• It was "only an animal" (2:37)
• Our companion animals live to love us...unconditionally (4:24)
• Losing a pet creates a significant void in our life (5:27)

Resources

Study: Pet loss grief and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or "broken heart syndrome"
Explanation: What is Takotsubo cardiomyopathy?
Study: Pet ownership increases self-esteem
Pet Loss Counseling, Workshops, and Retreats: Nelson Pahl

Memorable Quotes

• "The love you share with a pet is...unconditional."
• "It truly is a scenario of...'Till death do us part.'"

Next Episode: My Pet Loss Story


Keywords

#pet loss #companion animal loss #pets #companion animals #family #dogs #cats #horses


Biography

Nelson Pahl is an experiential psychologist and leading expert on companion animal loss. He hosts The Pahl Paw Patch podcast and is author of No Time to Grieve: The Disenfranchising of Pet Loss. He maintains a private practice in KCMO and hosts online healing workshops entitled Grief Therapy in a Box, as well as luxury healing retreats called "Homage Retreats."