The Pet Loss Companion

It can be hard to know how to help a friend whose beloved animal companion is gravely ill and nearing the end of their life. Join Nancy Saxton-Lopez and Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio for a conversation about this and other challenges.   We welcome your questions and comments.  Nancy can be reached at nsaxtonlopez@csmpc.com and Ken at kenddv@gmail.com.   The Pet Loss Companion (book) on Amaz...

If we are fortunate enough to see our animal companion reach advanced age and/or if they encounter a terminal illness, we will enter a time during which we feel their death approaching. This is our time of anticipatory grief. We grieve the loss of our expectation of an expansive future together. Join Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez for a conversation about anticipatory grief. We'll sh...

Join therapists and authors Nancy Saxton-Lopez and Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio as they respond to questions about how to help young children prepare for their pet's euthanasia, how to manage when we face a number of losses all at once, and more.  We welcome your questions and comments.  Nancy can be reached at nsaxtonlopez@csmpc.com and Ken at kenddv@gmail.com. The Pet Loss Companion (book) on...

Join Nancy Saxton-Lopez and Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio for a conversation about deciding  when to adopt another pet, handling the feelings that happen if your companion dies during or immediately following a medical procedure when you cannot be present, and more. We welcome your questions and comments. Nancy can be reached at nsaxtonlopez@csmpc.com and Ken at kenddv@gmail.com.   The Pet...

Join Nancy Saxton-Lopez and Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio for a conversation focused on questions we've received about the tensions that arise when members of a couple have vastly different grieving styles, a pet guardian can't forgive themselves for not being present during their pet's euthanasia, and more. We welcome your questions and comments. Nancy can be reached at nsaxtonlopez@csmpc.com and Ke...

The circumstances of a loss sometimes load additional uncertainty and pain onto an already terribly sad situation. When a pet disappears from our yard, hurts another person in a way that brings legal action, or dies as a result of a personal error we suffer such a loss. Join Nancy Saxton-Lopez and Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio for a discussion on grief and ambiguous and complicated losses. We welcome your...

We may feel terribly sad, confused, and exhausted when we're grieving but what's the difference between  normal grief and clinical depression? Join Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez for a conversation in which they'll answer this question. They'll also discuss how to seek care for yourself or a loved one who shows signs of depression.  We welcome your comments, questions and s...

How many times have we heard stories from those who are grief-stricken about family members, friends, or coworkers saying things that hurt rather than help? Join Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez for a conversation about why people say unhelpful things and how you may want to respond. We share dos and don'ts for helping those who have lost a beloved pet.  We welcome your comments,...

Pets teach our children so much about life, love, and, finally, how to manage loss and grief. Join Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez for a conversation about how to help our kids through the loss of their beloved friend.  We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions for future topics. Nancy can be reached at nsaxtonlopez@csmpc.com and Ken at kenddv@gmail.com.   The Pet...

When a human loved one dies our family and faith traditions may prescribe a particular way to respectfully dispose of their body, acknowledge the loss, and celebrate their life. Having such a preordained path can provide at least a small measure of relief at this overwhelmingly stressful moment. It’s different with a beloved animal companion. Will we ask our veterinarian to dispose of their body?...

Many of us have visits from our beloved pets after their passing. Join Nancy Saxton-Lopez and Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio for a conversation about this common experience. They share personal anecdotes, accounts they've heard from others, and thoughts about what it all means.   We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions for future topics. Nancy can be reached at nsaxtonlopez@csmpc.com and K...

The mood swings, confusion, and strange thoughts and perceptions that follow the death of a beloved pet can make us feel like we're losing our minds. Join Nancy Saxton-Lopez and Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio for a conversation about what's normal when we're grieving as well as signs that warrant special attention. We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions for future topics. Nancy can be reached...

It's often hard to shake the feelings of guilt that follow the death of a beloved pet. Did I wait too long to end their suffering? Did we euthanize too soon? Why didn't I notice signs of their illness before it got so bad? These are just a few of the questions that plague us.  Here's the recording of our conversation about guilt after losing a pet and how to manage these feelings.  We we...

What a challenging year. We all lost much of what was normal in everyday life and this also may have been a year in which you lost a cherished animal companion. Nancy and I send warm regards and some thoughts on the unexpected confusion that can strike when we're grief-stricken on what's supposed to be a joyous day.  We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions for future topics. Nancy...

Nancy and I know that the relationships we have with our animal companions are one of life's most enriching gifts. In this holiday broadcast we celebrate those relationships by sharing stories about our pets, some of whom are with us today and others who have passed on. Please join us. We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions for future topics. Nancy can be reached at nsaxtonlopez@csmpc...

What if we find ourselves grieving the loss of a beloved animal companion at the time of year when most people are celebrating important holidays? In this broadcast, Ken and Nancy share thoughts on navigating grief during this special time.  We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions for future topics. Nancy can be reached at nsaxtonlopez@csmpc.com and Ken at kenddv@gmail.com. The Pe...