Kenneth Dolan-Del Vecchio & Nancy Saxton-Lopez

The Pet Loss Companion

Kids EN ↓ 266 episodes

Hosted by family therapists Nancy Saxton-Lopez and Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio, authors of the bestselling book The Pet Loss Companion: Healing Advice from Family Therapists Who Lead Pet Loss Groups, this podcast shares experiences, recommendations, and reflections that help listeners with the loss of their animal companions. Ken and Nancy help listeners celebrate the gifts and navigate the challenges that come when we share our lives with beloved pets. Contact us at nsaxtonlopez@csmpc.com and kenddv@gmail.com. https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Loss-Companion-Healing-Therapists/dp/1484918266/ref=sr_1_3?dch

Author

Kenneth Dolan-Del Vecchio & Nancy Saxton-Lopez

Episodes

#116 Anticipatory Grief Vs Grief Following the Death of Our Animal Companion 25.05.2023 27:18

Join family therapists and authors Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as we share stories sent to us by Danielle, whose dog, Nilla, is terminally ill, and Harvey, who recently lost his dog, Leslie. We'll examine anticipatory grief and the challenges that come with making the decision to euthanize when our animal companion's symptoms are very specific and not affecting every aspec...

#115 Making the Euthanasia Decision: Two Stories 18.05.2023 37:05

Join family therapists and authors Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as we discuss two stories that show some of the unique difficulties that come with each decision to euthanize a beloved animal companion. Alex shares the story of his nine-year-old pitbull, Chiba. Catherine shares the story of her 25-year-old cat, Beatrix. To support our work on this podcast with a one-time gift: Venmo...

#114 When an Accident Causes Our Animal Companion's Death 11.05.2023 31:26

Join family therapists and authors Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as we share stories sent by audience members Brittanie and Clare. We have been hearing from a number of people recently about accidents that caused the death of non-human animal family members. Brittanie and Clare have courageously allowed us to share what happened within their families in the hopes that others who exp...

#113 We're Often Left With So Many Questions 04.05.2023 35:19

Join family therapists and authors Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as we share stories sent by Marie-France and Rupa. Marie-France poses many of the questions that tend to haunt us after we lose a beloved animal companion. We'll do our best to respond. Rupa describes losing the wonderful dog who joined her family during her teenage years. This was Rupa's very first major loss....

#112 Euthansia: "The Unknowns and Repercussions of Rushed Decisions" 27.04.2023 31:47

Join family therapists and authors Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as we share stories from two audience members, John and Elizabeth. This episode's title quotes the subject line from John's email about losing his beloved standard poodle, Louis. Elizabeth's shares the story of her beloved, Chompy, an English bulldog. She notes the difference between preparing for loss and...

#111 When We Lose A Nontraditional Animal Companion 20.04.2023 28:44

Join family therapists and authors Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as, upon the recommendation of a listener, we share two audience members' stories about the loss of animal companions who are not dogs or cats. To support our work on this podcast with a one-time gift: Venmo @Ken-Dolan-DelVecchio or PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kenddv?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US) T...

#110 Loss Strikes Us All: Nancy and Jack's Story 13.04.2023 30:35

Join family therapists and authors Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as Nancy shares the story of her beloved pug, Jack, who died on March 10th. To support our work on this podcast with a one-time gift: Venmo @Ken-Dolan-DelVecchio or PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kenddv?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US) To support this podcast with a monthly subscription: https://anchor.fm/ke...

#109 Healing After Tragic Loss 30.03.2023 29:30

Join family therapists and authors Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as we share stories from Emily, who lost her beloved English bulldog, Abby, to cancer, and Nigel, who lost his two beloved giant schnauzers, Maggie and Reuben, due to a tragic event. Though different in signifant ways, these two stories highlight the limits of our ability to foresee and control many aspects of our live...

#108 A Conversation with Hospice & Palliative Care Veterinary Specialist Dr. Shelagh McCaffrey 23.03.2023 30:31

Join family therapists and authors Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as we welcome special guest Dr. Shelagh McCaffrey, who will talk with us about end-of-life care. We'll discuss: - the difference between futile and palliative care. - making the decision to euthanize and preparing for the experience. - including children in end-of-life care, including euthanasia. - in-home vs in-of...

#107 "I Knew He Would Teach Me to Say Goodbye." Melica and Ollie's Story 16.03.2023 27:50

Join family therapists and authors Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as we share a story sent to us by Melica about her beloved dog, Ollie, whom she credits with teaching her many things, including, ultimately, how to say goodbye. Her story includes experiencing signs from the world beyond this one. To support our work on this podcast with a one-time gift: Venmo @Ken-Dolan-DelVecchio or...

#106 When You Write A Book Memorializing Your Beloved Dog, with Grant Hayter-Menzies 10.03.2023 40:52

Join family therapists and authors Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as they speak with special guest Grant Hayter-Menzies. Grant has authored many books. His latest, forthcoming this year, chronicles the life of Freddie, Grant and his partner Rudi's recently deceased rescue dog. Nancy and Ken have had the privilege of corresponding with Grant for some time and reading advance copies of...

#105 The Burden of Uncertainty 03.03.2023 31:49

Join family therapists and authors Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as we share stories sent to us by Susan, whose dog, Henry, died suddenly and from an unknown cause, and Tiffany, who experienced the loss of two dogs, one loss being particularly difficult as this dog was euthanized for behavioral reasons. To support our work on this podcast with a one-time gift: Venmo @Ken-Dolan-DelVe...

#104 Turning Loss into a Heartfelt Mission with Erica Messer 21.02.2023 28:52

Join family therapists and authors Nancy Saxton-Lopez and Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio as we speak with special guest Erica Messer, Owner/Founder of Wolfie's Wish (https://wolfieswish.com/). After suffering the sudden tragic loss of her beloved cat, Wolfgang, Erica channeled her grief into creating a business that helps others who've suffered the loss of a beloved animal companion.    Erica rad...

#103 Grief Sucks No Matter How Old or Young Our Pet is When We Lose Them 16.02.2023 27:37

Join family therapists and authors Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as we share stories sent to us by Rachel, who lost her dog, Trapper, at a young age due to a genetically linked disease and Carolyn, whose dog, Spicey Brown, shared her life for many years and through a host of life transitions. To support our work on this podcast with a one-time gift: Venmo @Ken-Dolan-DelVecchio or Pa...

#102 When Euthanasia Does Not Go Smoothly 10.02.2023 29:25

Join family therapists and authors Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as we share a story stories sent to us by Julie and Susan, whose pets were both euthanized. In each case the experience had some particularly disturbing aspects. To support our work on this podcast with a one-time gift: Venmo @Ken-Dolan-DelVecchio or PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kenddv?country.x=US&local...

#101 "He Got Me Through the Worst Times of My Life." 03.02.2023 29:03

Join family therapists and authors Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as we share a story sent to us by Jana and her daughter, Deanna, about Deanna's beloved dog, Diesel. Diesel meant the world to Deanna and helped her through some very rough times. We'll also share another story, this one from Megan, about her much loved Basset hound, Maggie. To support our work on this podcast with a o...

#100 "Our Souls Were Knit Together." Sarah and Fozzy's Story 26.01.2023 41:02

Join family therapists and authors Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as we share Sarah's compelling story about her relationship with her dog, Fozzy, including a detailed description of how Sarah and her husband planned for Fozzy's gentle transition, and the reassuring sign that Sarah received immediately thereafter. To support our work on this podcast with a one-time gift: Venmo @Ken-D...

#99 Navigating the Costs of Veterinary Care: A Conversation with Dr Andraya Cole 18.01.2023 34:09

Join family therapists and authors Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as we speak with our guest, veterinarian Dr. Andraya Cole, about managing the financial costs of caring for our animal companions.    Andraya Cole, DVM, MPH's brief bio:  Dr. Cole joined the practice at South Deerfield Veterinary Clinic in September 2021. She grew up in Central Massachusetts, and has enj...

#98 Trying to Move Past Anger: A Couple's Grief After Tragic Loss 12.01.2023 30:18

Join family therapists and authors Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as we share Susan's story about the tragic loss of her family's dog and how this affected Susan and her husband's relationship. To support our work on this podcast with a one-time gift: Venmo @Ken-Dolan-DelVecchio or PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kenddv?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US) To support this podcast...

#97 "We Were Meant to Take Care of Her, But She Ended Up Taking Care of Us" 05.01.2023 29:20

Join family therapists and authors Nancy Saxton-Lopez and Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio as we share Jennifer's story about her Reuben, a dog who was not only a cherished family member but also a YouTube personality, and David's story about his beloved cat, CC. Starting life as a kitten rescued from the streets of New York City, CC became a crucial support for David through two major losses before her own...

#96 "We Kept Each Other Strong." Sarah and Jax's Story, and Monica's Letter to Kodi 29.12.2022 35:37

Join family therapists and authors Nancy Saxton-Lopez and Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio as we share Monica's letter to her beloved Kodi and Sarah and Jax's story about caring for one another through thick and thin. To support our work on this podcast with a one-time gift: Venmo @Ken-Dolan-DelVecchio or PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kenddv?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US)   To support this p...

#95 When the Loss of Your Pet Leaves You Hypervigilant about the Health of Your Surviving Pets 22.12.2022 31:14

Join family therapists and authors Nancy Saxton-Lopez and Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio as we share and discuss stories from audience members Michael and Jessica that raise important questions for all who are grieving. One point we'll discuss is how the death of a pet may cause us to become extraordinarily worried about the health of our surviving pets.    To support our work on this podcast wit...

#94 Grief Does Not Destroy Us 15.12.2022 29:02

Join family therapists and authors Nancy Saxton-Lopez and Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio as we share and discuss stories from audience members Anna and Deydriger that raise important questions for all who are grieving.    To support our work on this podcast with a one-time gift: Venmo @Ken-Dolan-DelVecchio or PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kenddv?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US) To suppo...

# 93 "A Miracle Ending to Her Life on Earth" 08.12.2022 33:05

Join family therapists and authors Nancy Saxton-Lopez and Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio as we share two stories from audience members. The first, from Kara about her beloved Cairn terrier, Frankie, is about how Kara is beginning to move beyond the self-blame she's been struggling with. The second, from Brittany about her "first baby," Mia, a King Charles Spaniel, describes the transcendent moment of Mia's...

#92 Intro to Aquamation with Alan Hillsberg 01.12.2022 30:50

Join family therapists and authors Nancy Saxton-Lopez and Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio as we welcome our guest, Alan Hillsberg, for an introduction to acquamation, an alternative to cremation. We learned a great deal from Alan as I'm sure you will.   Here's more about our guest:  Alan Hillsberg has been active in the death care industry for more than a decade, helping scores of funeral homes th...