The Quiet Ones Hurt the Most: ADHD & Pet Grief

Host: Christine Dunning, Master Certified Life Coach & founder of Two Cats CoachingGuest: Stacy Collins, hospice chaplain & fellow late-diagnosed ADHDerFor many single adults (and plenty of partnered folks, too), pets are family—routine-keepers, comfort-bringers, and steady companions. In this episode, Christine and Stacy talk about pet loss: anticipatory grief, saying goodbye, and rebuilding daily life when the house suddenly sounds too quiet.What We CoverPet grief is real grief: Why the bond can feel as strong (or stronger) than human relationships.ADHD layers: How loss disrupts structure, routines, executive function, and emotional regulation.Anticipatory grief: Knowing goodbye is coming—crying before the loss, noticing decline, making compassionate choices.A kind goodbye: What a supportive vet experience can look like (quiet room, time, separate exit), cremation options, paw-print keepsakes.Memorials & meaning: Urns or boxes, paw prints, portraits/illustrations, and the comfort of “Rainbow Bridge” imagery—whatever fits your beliefs.Life after a pet: Rebuilding morning rituals, navigating a surviving pet’s behavior, and naming what you miss most.Should I get another pet? ADHD-friendly questions to ask yourself; low-commitment options like fostering; choosing travel or flexibility.Preparing for inevitability: Remembering that we usually outlive our pets; choosing presence over fear.Favorite Lines“It’s not just a pet. It’s a being that let you love them—and loved you back.”“When my routine was ‘we cuddle while I drink coffee,’ the silence wasn’t just quiet—it was missing.”Gentle Ideas to TryCreate a small ritual (light a candle, place a photo, write a letter, plant a flower).Keep a “morning anchor” to replace the old routine (cozy slippers + coffee + 10 minutes of journaling).If you’re considering a new pet, try fostering first to check energy, time, and readiness.Next in the SeriesEp 13: What Is Grief? (ADHD & Big Feelings)Ep 14: Why Goodbye Doesn’t Come EasilyEp 15: Pet Grief — The Quiet Ones Hurt the Most (this episode)Ep 16: Grieving Lost Dreams — The Life I Didn’t LiveEp 17: Rituals & Real Talk — ADHD-Friendly Grief RitualsResources & SupportU.S. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7)911 for emergenciesLocal pet-loss support groups and hotlines (often offered by humane societies or vets)DisclaimerThis podcast is for education and support. It is not medical or mental-health advice. If you’re struggling to function or feel unsafe, please seek professional help (U.S.: 988 or 911).ConnectWebsite & show hub: TwoCatsCoaching.comIG/FB: @TwoCatsCoachingLooking for freebies? Click herePlease subscribe, rate, and share if this helped you. 🐾