The Pahl Paw Patch

In Episode #6, Nelson discusses how your attachment style may be impacting your grief.Topics in this EpisodeYou have an attachment style (0:36)It may amplify your grief intensity (1:35)Bowlby's "Attachment Theory" (2:07)The evolution of Attachment Theory (2:45)Anxious-preoccupied attachment (3:46)How might an anxious-preoccupied attachment affect your grief? (5:38)Fearful-avoidant attachment (6:22)How might an fearful-avoidant attachment affect your grief? (7:35)What research says (9:07)Resou...

In Episode #5, Nelson discusses three prevalent myths surrounding pet loss.Topics in this EpisodeWho is anyone to sit in judgement of your pet loss? (0:43)Are you weak for grieving your companion animal? (1:22)Who experiences intense pet loss (1:29)Three celebrities that have suffered intense pet loss (2:06)Grieving the loss of a dear family member is healthy and normal (3:49)Pet loss is every bit as intense as human death-grief (4:11)Have you been grieving too long? (6:12)To rush the healing...

In this episode, Nelson discusses five reasons pet loss can be so intense.Topics in this EpisodeGrief is the byproduct of love (1:06)The love you share with your pet is unconditional (1:24)We grieve when we lose our identity (2:23)With the death of a love one comes the loss a certain role (2:26)We grieve when we feel unsafe (4:31)We experience grief when we surrender our autonomy (6:29)With loss, we feel that certain dreams have gone unrealized (7:56)ResourcesStudy: Changing Times, Changing I...

In this episode, Nelson discusses the scholarly research regarding pet loss.Topics in this EpisodeCompanion animal loss is largely misunderstood and devalued (0:28)Pet loss is a form of disenfrachised grief (0:43)What is disenfranchised grief? (0:53)Companion animal loss can cause a host of physical ailments (1:23)Pet loss can cause long-term anxiety, depression, and even anger issues (1:46)Pet loss often causes neuroticism in the bereaved guardian (1:56)Untreated pet loss can manifest into c...

In this second episode of The Pahl Paw Patch, Nelson shares one of his heartwarming-but-heartbreaking stories of pet loss.ResourcesPet Loss Counseling, Workshops, and Retreats: Nelson PahlNext Episode: What Does Research Say About Pet Loss?Keywords#pet loss #companion animal loss #pets #companion animals #family #dogs #cats #horsesBiographyNelson 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 Gr...

In this premier episode of The Pahl Paw Patch, Nelson tackles the subject of pet loss and its legitimacy.Topics in this EpisodeSymptoms 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)ResourcesStudy: Pet loss grief and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or "broken heart syndrome"Explanation: What is Tako...

In this episode, Nelson discusses three major myths about pet loss, and how they may be hindering your healing.Topics in this EpisodeThe issue of judgement (1:05)You're bizarre or weak (1:59)Celebrity examples (2:48)Your loss is less (4:43)Refuting scientific literature (5:19)Workshops, seminars, and retreats (5:40)I should be over it already (6:11)Do you still feel shame? (7:52)Healing LinksPet Loss Workshops, Seminars, and RetreatsSupporting LinksPodcast: The Toxicity of JudgmentVideo: Joe Rogan talking dog lossIG Video: Tim Tebow tribute to BroncoStudy: Psychosocial variables of pet lossStudy: Adjustment to death of a pet Book: The Loss of a PetNext Episode: Does Attachment Style Affect Pet Loss?

In Episode #4, Nelson discusses five reasons pet loss is so intense.Topics in this Episode5-fold anatomy of pet loss (0:36)The bi-product of love (1:06)Lost sense of Self (2:20)Feeling unsafe (4:28)Workshops, Seminars, and Retreats (5:53)Surrendering autonomy (6:24)Dashed hopes & dreams (7:53)Why is pet loss so intense? (9:49)Healing LinksPet Loss Workshops, Seminars, and RetreatsSupporting Links"Changing Times, Changing Identities""I am not who I thought I was"Next Episode: 3 Myths About Pet Loss Grief

In this third episode of The Pahl Paw Patch, Nelson highlights the empirical research in support of pet loss.Topics in this EpisodePet loss is often misunderstood & devalued (0:29)Pet loss is largely disenfranchised grief (0:43)What is "disenfranchised grief"? (0:53)The affect of pet loss on your physical health (1:16)Pet loss can cause anxiety, depression, and even anger issues (1:46)Pet loss often causes neuroticism in the bereaved guardian (1:56)It can manifest as complicated grief and may even result in PTSD (2:07)Pet loss can surpass the intensity of human death-grief (2:27)Evoking emotional responses similar to parent-child dynamic (2:50)Workshops, seminars, and retreats (3:18)Healing LinksPet Loss Workshops, Seminars, and RetreatsSupporting LinksStudy: Causing "broken heart syndrome"Explanation: Takotsubo cardiomyopathyStudy: Pets increase self-esteemStudy: Pet loss often devaluedStudy: Pet loss as disenfranchised griefStudy: Can cause serious physical ailmentsStudy: Long-term anxiety & depressionStudy: Frequency of neuroticismStudy: Manifesting as complicated griefStudy: Pet loss can be more intenseStudy: Why people love their petsStudy: The need for more recognitionNext Episode: Why's Pet Loss So Intense?

In this second episode, Nelson discusses one of his pet loss experiences.Topics in this EpisodeIntroducing "Piggy" (0:28)The love of my life (1:21)Her healing lessons (1:53)Piggy's passing (2:19)The day I said "goodbye" (2:58)My father's reaction (3:22)An evening of devastation (4:07)The ensuing weeks (4:45)All I wanted (5:17)Workshops, seminars, and retreats (5:45)Healing LinksPet Loss Workshops, Seminars, and RetreatsNext Episode: What Does Research Say About Pet Loss?

In this premier episode of The Pahl Paw Patch, Nelson tackles the subject of pet loss and its legitimacy.Topics in this EpisodeSymptoms of pet loss (1:45)You must feel shame (2:30)It was "only an animal" (3:20)Losing a trusted companion & healer (5:36)A drastic change to our routine (6:22)Pets encourage more social exposure (7:01)Workshops, Seminars, and Retreats (7:42)Healing LinksPet Loss Workshops, Seminars, and RetreatsSupporting LinksStudy: Causing "broken heart syndrome"Explanation: Takotsubo cardiomyopathyStudy: Pets increase self-esteemNext Episode: My Pet Loss Story

The Pahl Paw Patch is a podcast for pet loss grief, hosted by narrative psychologist Nelson Pahl.