The Pain of Losing a Pet

This episode is brought to you by yet another major thunderstorm that you'll hear in the background.Today we're celebrating Ted Lasso's return, recapping our experience seeing Cats: The Jellicle Ball, and once again letting our health anxiety take the wheel while being offered only dirty dimes in return (trust us, it will make sense).Then, we dive into an often overlooked type of grief: mourning the loss of a pet. On paper, it seems like it might be easier to handle, but if you've ever experienced it, you know that it can rival a human loss in a very real way. We chat about what animals can do for people that other people can't, why our pets can't simply be replaced by another, and how the responsibilities of pet care can help us be less self-centered.We also discuss finding balance between wanting what's best for them versus wanting them to live forever, why the loss of a pet can make us feel that we've lost our purpose, the best way to keep your pets' memory alive, and why you can't delay the grieving process forever.About Your Hosts: Beth is a licensed, Ph.D. clinical psychologist with 40+ years of experience treating patients of all ages. Joyce is a millennial just trying to figure it all out.Note:Advice and opinions on this show should not be considered as treatment. Please contact your healthcare provider if you are in need of individualized help.Other Stuff:Follow us on Instagram: @noyourenotdyingpodcastSubmit your topic ideas and questions here.