The Companions Collective (Angela Schneider)

Grief comes with a set of complex, profound emotions, and anger is a particularly intense one.

In this week's episode, One Last Network founder Angela Schneider launches a monthly series in which she aims to unravel the various emotions we encounter during the journey of anticipatory grief and post-loss grief. By combining her personal experiences with grief studies, she offers valuable insights and coping strategies for those navigating the depths of sorrow after losing a beloved pet.

Grief, an intricate tapestry of emotions, becomes even more intense when we lose a cherished furry companion. Angela explores the multifaceted nature of grief, with a particular focus on anger as an emotion intertwined with loss. Drawing upon the work of renowned psychiatrist Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, who theorized the five stages of grief, Angela explains how anger can serve as a coping mechanism, allowing individuals to express and release their emotions.

To further understand the impact of pet loss on human emotions, Angela highlights the research of Dr. Sandra Barker, a professor of psychiatry and director of the Center for Human-Animal Interaction. Dr. Barker's studies reveal that the loss of a pet can evoke emotions as profound as those experienced in the loss of a human loved one, emphasizing the unique bond we share with our pets.

Angela candidly shares her personal experience of grappling with anger following the loss of her mother in January 2022. She describes the confusing mix of grief, sadness and rage that overwhelmed her, leading to unexpected bursts of fury. Recognizing that anger during grief can be directed towards oneself, circumstances surrounding the loss, friends, family, or even the departed loved one, Angela emphasizes the need to acknowledge and process this emotion constructively.

Angela reminds us to be patient with ourselves and to grant permission to feel and express all the emotions associated with grief, including anger. She affirms that grief is a deeply personal journey with no prescribed timeline or right way to grieve. Through self-reflection, healthy outlets and compassionate support, individuals can navigate the grieving process, gradually moving towards acceptance and healing.

What to listen for

2:10 The impact of pet loss on human emotions

3:43 Where our anger in grief lands

7:24 The 90-second rule by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor

9:41 Ways we can redirect our anger

10:50 Where to find support

Resources mentioned in this episode

On Death and Dying by Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

The Grief Recovery Method

The Center for Human-Animal Interaction at Virginia Commonwealth University

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor

Opening Up by Writing It Down: How Expressive Writing Improves Health and Eases Emotional Pain by James W. Pennebaker and Joshua M. Smyth

Forever Friends @ Big White Dog Photography on Facebook

For The Art of Lessons Learned, we have another roundtable with the professional photographers at One Last Network. 

Each one of us has a deep appreciation for the companion animals who have come into our lives and left behind not just lessons learned, but sometimes profound transformations.

Incredible life changes.

Shifts in personality.

They've altered the way we see the world, the way we walk among our fellow humans.

Animals, dogs in particular, have been our loyal companions for thousands of years, and over time, humans have come to appreciate their incredible capacity for love, empathy, and companionship.

If we pay attention to the way they live, move and treat their fellow animals, we start to see their emotional intelligence and we can absorb those traits to make ourselves better human beings.

I think you'll hear that as a common thread as each photographer who joined us today shares their amazing story.

We even talk about a cat … a CAT! … with one of our newer members, Chris Miller of MIL Pet Photography, joining us all the way from the United Kingdom.

What to Listen For

2:21 Cisco teaches Sharon gratitude

5:17 Kota teaches Darlene routines can change

8:25 Lynn finds her voice, thanks to Lance and Lili

10:54 Summer teaches Chris to appreciate time together

15:57 Kylee learns how to be more compassionate from Omega

20:06 What we learn from each other's stories

28:59 Shep teaches Angela to just be herself

Our Featured Photographers

Canovas Photography, Hamilton, Ontario

Lance and Lili Pet Photography, Ashburn, Virginia

Kylee Doyle Photography, Sacramento, California

Pant the Town Photography, Georgetown, Massachusetts

Jenn Wilson Pet Portraiture, Kitchener, Ontario

MIL Pet Photography, Windsor, United Kingdom

Big White Dog Photography, Spokane, Washington

Lynn Sehnert has two senior dogs, both with their own share of health and reactivity issues.

Her boy Lance has been struggling with a physical mobility problem in his shoulders and Lynn has been sleeping in the downstairs section of her house to keep him company while he stays comfortable.

She has indeed turned her life over to managing Lance's and Lili's special needs, all while she keeps her focus on the photography business inspired by her two babies, Lance and Lili Pet Photography, based in Loudon County, Virginia.

Lynn is one of the very few pet photographers I know who dedicates her business to senior dogs and end of life sessions.

She is one of those gals who is like an M&M, hard outer shell but soft on the inside. She bares her soul for us around the challenges she has faced with her dogs' care and why her heart lies in photographing senior and ill pets … even as she exists in a swirl of her own anticipatory grief, caring for Lance and Lili in their senior years.

What to listen for

2:39 Lynn's life on the road

8:11 Why she's more of a homebody now

18:21 The choice to focus on senior dogs in pet photography

25:04 How Lynn makes sessions lighter for her clients in anticipatory grief

34:09 How Lynn is managing her own anticipatory grief

Stay at the end tuned for Angela's thoughts on anticipatory grief. We would love to hear from you if you're in the anticipatory grief stage and whether you're making plans for that inevitable day. Comment on this post or drop me a note at angela@onelastnetwork.com.

Did you know February is Pet Dental Health Month? Vets clinics across North America dedicate their marketing programs to raising awareness about the importance of oral hygiene in our pets.

Just like us, our pets can suffer from such dental issues as plaque buildup, gum disease and tooth decay.

If we take proactive steps, though, we can prevent these and ensure our pets' overall well-being.

I've been fortunate with Bella. Dental care is a priority at our vet clinic. And then … a couple of months ago, I went to a networking event at -- of all places! -- a dentistry clinic for pets.

Elevated Pet Dentistry recently opened on Sprague Avenue in Spokane Valley with Dr. Madelynn Mayes running the ship.

Maddie has been a veterinarian for 13 years, after graduating from Washington State University in 2010. She was one of only 40 students selected to take an online dental course and wet lab, sparking her interest in dentistry.

She started her career as a rural mixed animal practitioner and then transitioned to small animal-only work.

But a specialization, a niche, kept calling to her.

She nurtured her passion by completing numerous advanced dental training courses with specialists across the country. Her learning helped her improve her technique and proficiency in all areas of general and advanced dental care.

Let's meet Maddie and have her tell us all about it.

What to listen for

3:26 The impact of dental issues on our pets

8:33 Which dog breeds are more prone to dental issues

10:02 Dental issues that are common in cats

13:18 What we can do at home to care for our pets' teeth

17:19 How often our pets should have their teeth cleaned

Are we doing better? And can we do better yet?

These are the questions I had for Dr. Dani McVety, the cofounder of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice and In-Home Euthanasia with Dr. Mary Gardner. Lap of Love is a national network of veterinary doctors who offer hospice care and peaceful euthanasia in the comfort of a pet's home.

When Dani was prepping a family for a euthanasia one night at the emergency clinic where she was working shortly after graduating from veterinary school, her client said, "Please, can you leave her on my lap? I don't want her on that cold sterile table. I want her right here with me."

That wasn't clinic policy, though.

Dani said yes. And it was at that moment, she knew that's what every pet deserves, to be in the place where they are most comfortable … their guardian's lap.

Lap of Love was born, and now 15 years later, Dani and her cofounder are advocates for ways the veterinary world can improve the euthanasia process for pets and their families.

After all, the word "euthanasia" is Greek for "eu," or easy, and "thanatos," or death.

Easy death.

Let's find out what that really means.

What to listen for

• How end of life care has evolved for veterinarians
• The importance of honoring a pet's journey
• Why pet guardians need a comfortable, supportive space
• How a better experience can shift the end of life process
• Normalizing hospice care in veterinary medicine

Where to find Dr. Dani McVety

Lap of Love

Dr. Dani McVety (for speaking engagements)

Lap of Love Facebook

Lap of Love Instagram

Lap of Love YouTube

Welcome to One Last Network and the Art of Being Kind to Your Vet.

Dr. Lianna Titcombe is the founder and owner of Claire Place Veterinary Hospice in Ottawa, Ontario, one of the first practices in Canada devoted to end-of-life care for companion animals.

You may remember her from The Art of Checking Your Phone. Lianna is one of the veterinarians who have contributed to the pet loss grief content in Help Texts, an SMS-based service to help people cope through loss and grief.

On the subject of animal hospice and palliative care, she is an author, speaker, educator and mentor. She is the past president of the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care and is still active with their international committee.

She participates in volunteer missions to provide veterinary care to underserviced communities both locally and in developing countries.

And she has been the director of the Pet Loss Support Group of Ottawa for over 20 years.

In getting to know each other, Lianna and I learned we were both in the 2022 cohort for David Kessler's grief educator program.

Her true passion is the art of gentle euthanasia and in 2021, became the international director and instructor for Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy.

After 20 years in veterinary medicine, she has retired from clinical practice to focus on education. She's also a certified yoga instructor and compassion fatigue professional, who is offering grief retreats to people living with loss.

Today, we have an in-depth conversation about the veterinary field, euthanasia and the vet-pet guardian relationship.

What to listen for

3:29 How Lianna's mom and dog George drive her to improve the death experience

7:12 Why planning the end can make it more peaceful

17:47 Veterinary burnout versus client expectations

26:44 The financial challenges of pet health care

38:04 The emotional impact of euthanizing pets as a veterinarian

Where to find Dr. Lianna Titcombe

Claire Place Veterinary Hospice in Ottawa, Ontario

Instagram

Facebook

Grief Retreats

Resources mentioned

Not One More Vet tips for pet guardians

Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy

Your discount codes

Dr. Buzby's Tip-to-Tail Health Scan: Use code ONELAST

Get $10 off your first 12 months of Help Texts

Joy is a stupid word.

Or at least it feels that way when you're living with grief. Very little feels like "joy" or "happiness" when you're bound by this complexity of navigating a whole new world without your companion animal.

Our host, Angela Schneider of Big White Dog Photography in Spokane, Washington, explores the challenges we face in grief, especially when we're faced with people who want us to be more positive and, ahem, "get over it."

But the cult of positivity doesn't serve everyone.

Angela emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our feelings, embracing the emptiness we feel and redefining the word "joy" in our new world.

Remember, it's OK to not conform to societal expectations. Finding contentment in the present moment may be the only way you need to feel right now.

What to listen for

2:43 Is the real work to be happy or simply to be alive?

5:00 Why the words "joy" and "happy" might feel uncomfortable

8:00 The experience of witnessing someone else's grief

9:45 Steps you can take to find your peace

If you need extra help

Get $10 off your first 12 months of Help Texts

Zoe is one of Nicole Begley's many loves in this lifetime. She spent too few years in the comfort of Nicole's home in Pittsburgh and then North Carolina, after being found by firefighters in a bucket of water in Puerto Rico.

Nicole is the lead educator at Hair of the Dog Academy, a platform that teaches pet photographers, like me, how to master our craft and launch then build our businesses.

If it wasn't for Nicole, well, I don't know where a lot of us would be.

And many of us met Zoe, an always smiling pup, on the webinars during which we learn the ins and outs of our businesses.

Then Zoe died.

Very suddenly, very tragically.

I remember Nicole publishing a podcast shortly after about how some companies go above and beyond for their customer. She revealed that Chewy.com sent her a card and flowers when called them to possibly return an unopened bag of food.

She cried.

Her sorrow and pain cut through me like a knife. I wanted so badly to reach out through the airwaves and hug her.

Today, we are remembering Zoe … and many of the other animals to whom Nicole has bid farewell, many of them suddenly and tragically.

We honor their lives with their stories.

What to listen for

6:26 A meet-cute for Nicole and Zoe

12:26 When Nicole had to say goodbye

21:41 The beginning of Nicole's healing

25:14 Bringing Cami home

33:55 A lifetime of losses

35:32 Gratitude and self-regulation

Find Nicole

Hair of the Dog Academy

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

According to her business's Facebook page Brittni Heywood spreads  contagious kindness.

And fitness for dogs.

Brittni is the owner of Potential Unleashed in Kuna, Idaho … heyo, just down the road from me … and she is dedicated to improving dog behavior, manners and fitness.

That's right, she's a dog trainer. With a twist.

Sure, she'll teach humans how to get our dogs to sit, stay and heel but she's much more into getting -- and keeping --- our dogs fit and healthy.

Brittni also just launched the P.U.P., or Potential Unleashed Pool, a water dog's private paradise. She's built on an acre-and-a-half of her property a swimming pool and a large, fenced-in play area that humans can rent for two hours of playtime with their dogs. 

Brittni joins me today to share her expertise in canine fitness, highlighting how personalized fitness routines can significantly enhance our dogs' health and extend their lifespan. Certified in both  behavior and canine fitness, she gives us valuable insights into keeping dogs of all ages active and healthy.

What to Listen For

• Importance of maintaining a healthy weight for dogs
• Tailored fitness routines for puppies, adults, and senior dogs
• Exercises like cavaletti for muscle development and mobility
• Collaboration with rehab centers for post-injury fitness
• Enhancing the human-dog bond through fitness activities
• Understanding and advocating for your dog's health

Where to find Brittni

Potential Unleashed Idaho
P.U.P. Idaho
Facebook
Instagram

What to listen forWhere to find Brittni

When Jennifer Lyons was 16, she tore her anterior cruciate ligament, and physical therapy allowed her to return to playing the sport she loved, softball. She went onto play college ball and ultimately settled studying physical therapy.

She became a licensed physical therapist in 2010 but then became drawn to her passion, helping dogs retain and regain their mobility.

She is a certified canine rehabilitation practitioner with a beautiful new clinic in Massachusetts. Her goal is improve mobility and function in dogs so they can regain or maintain daily activities.

Many dogs come to her post-TPLO surgery or because their owners are seeing the signs of age and the dogs are losing function in their hind end.

In today's episode, Darlene Woodward of Pant the Town Photography in Georgetown, Massachusetts, interviews Jennifer about her practice and how we can help our senior dogs stay active in their golden years.

What to listen for

3:20 Why dog owners seek Jennifer's services

9:50 The most common challenges for senior dogs

17:00 The signs of age in dogs

21:00 Managing our dogs' pain

Find Jennifer

PawMobility.com

Facebook

Instagram

We don't want to think about the last day we have with our best fur friend, but as we've heard a couple of times from Coleen Ellis in The Art of Making Memories and The Art of Loving a Soul Dog (or Heart Dog), planning can help take some of the stress and pain away from the end.

Today, Darlene Woodward of Pant the Town Photography in Massachusetts takes the mic to chat with her friend, Dr. Jennifer Cushing of Beloved Pet Home Euthanasia and Hospice in Reading, Massachusetts.

Jennifer helped Darlene say goodbye last summer to her precious Kota, a Siberian husky full of spunk and sass.

The planning and in-home euthanasia gave Darlene the perfect way to lift Kota up to the next realm … gently and peacefully with her eyes on the backyard where she spent so many years chasing squirrels.

What to Listen For

4:13 Jennifer finds joy in the work she does

7:44 The difference between euthanasia at home and at the clinic

12:41 How this moment can be a celebration of life

19:29 The quality of life consultation

27:06 Why we can't wait until it's too late

Where to Find Jennifer

Beloved Pet Home Euthanasia and Hospice
Facebook

Where to Find In-Home Euthanasia Near You

International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care

"Just always get the pictures, don't hesitate on them."

That's a quote from today's episode, The Art of Holding On, No. 24 of our podcast about this continuous, crazy journey called grief.

Kayla Seifert is a past client with Jessica Wasik at Bark & Gold Photography in Pittsburgh.

Kayla had a beautiful tri-colored beagle named Stanley whom she adopted from Forever Home Beagle Rescue eight years ago when Stanley was about two years old. He was 10 when diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure, prompting Kayla to schedule a Rainbow Session for him.

She had always wanted to get professional photos done of Stanley but money, time and life kept getting in the way.

She was finally ready to schedule a portrait session in 2021 but the dire diagnosis pushed up her timeline.

Stanley had always loved being outside, and their favorite pastime was going for hikes in the woods where Kayla said he'd always come to life.

Stanley, Kayla and Jessica met at a favorite park and, well, Kayla's description of the day will sit in my heart forever.

Stanley left our physical world in November and Kayla continues to wind her way down this new path, the grief journey.

She explores with Jes that journey and how long and convoluted it can be.

What to listen for

1:00 Stanley, my dog, my baby
7:38 Finding the right location for your photo shoot
10:13 That one unforgettable photo
15:05 Kayla embraces her grief journey
21:30 Do you "get over" such a profound loss?

Nestled on an 11-acre farmland in Rutledge, Georgia, sits a special rescue for dogs.

The dream for pet and horse photographer Courtney Bryson, whom you may remember from The Art of Finding the Perfect Imperfect, and her wife Renee Ussery began when they helped on a hoarding case in August 2011.

There were 35 Boston terriers, pugs and buggs, or Boston-pug mixes, in crisis. Local rescues teamed up and needed just six days to coordinate transportation and fosters for each dog. But first they had to wait in a non-climate-controlled and very crowded municipal shelter. Six to eight dogs were in each kennel and they were all suffering from mange, flea infestations and illnesses. More than half contracted parvo and died.

Courtney and Renee launched their mission: to look for land where they could build a short-term emergency shelter for dogs in crisis. They purchased their property in October 2012 and launched the Rescue Ranch with 17 indoor kennels, each with its own outdoor dog run, and space for veterinary exams.

And over there in the corner, you'll see a memorial garden for the pets they took in and never left.

As the Rescue Ranch evolved in this last decade, Courtney and Renee are rising to the challenge of working with medically fragile and hospice animals.

Which means they have to say goodbye … often. Sometimes sooner than they expected.

Today, they share with us a conversation they have about the challenges of facing grief as often as they do. Have a listen.

What to listen for

5:23 The first hospice dog they cared for

8:19 Caring for and losing medically fragile dogs

10:10 Making the decision to end a dog's life

13:01 Giving each dog a full life

18:30 The emotional impact of losing a dog

23:40 How grief manifests in rescue work

Where to find Courtney and the Rescue Ranch

CM Bryson Photography

The Rescue Ranch

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Your discount codes

Dr. Buzby's Tip-to-Tail Health Scan: Use code ONELAST

Get $10 off your first 12 months of Help Texts

One Last Network founder Angela Schneider digs deep into the complex, intertwined emotions of guilt and grief. 

Angela is a grief educator certified by David Kessler and grief.com and a pet loss grief companion certified by Two Hearts Pet Loss Center.

Losing a pet can be an incredibly challenging and heartbreaking experience, and understanding the psychological aspects behind guilt and grief can help us navigate this difficult journey.

The loss of a pet has a profound impact on our lives. Our pets become cherished family members, offering unconditional love, companionship and joy.

Losing them brings a number of complex emotions. We are often tortured in our grief by feelings of guilt, wishing we could have done more.

The sad reality is, though, that our pets don't live as long as we would like them to.

Listen as Angela offers her personal experience and some thoughts on how to confront your feelings of guilt as you grieve the loss of your pet.

What to listen for

2:23 Why losing a pet is so difficult

4:06 How self-blame can determine the way we grieve

5:40 Why we feel guilt after our pets die

9:14 How a bucket list can help us prepare

11:13 How to confront your feelings of guilt

Resources mentioned in this episode

Grief.com

How Guilt Stops Us from Feeling Helpless (The Science of Grief) with David Kessler

The Role of Cognitive Variables in Psychological Functioning After the Death of a First Degree Relative

Guilt in Bereavement: The Role of Self-Blame and Regret in Coping with Loss

After the death of her two sons, Cathy Cheshire walked away from a 30-year career as an executive in health care.

She heard a calling to help other learn to heal from their grief.

First, she studied what all the expert had to say about grief, then she created her own Master Grief Coach certification program. She learned from traditional and nontraditional professionals with various expertise in grief, including emotions, mindfulness, psychology and resilience.

When Angela started the One Last Network earlier this year, she searched online for such a course and found Cathy, enrolling after comparing it to a few other courses.

Cathy's course is based in simplifying the information and expert research around death and loss and grief. She chunks it into understandable, memorable bits because, when she found herself in despair, she felt overwhelmed by the information she found.

She created the Master Grief Coach program after three years of researching the work of prominent psychologists, psychiatrists, neuroscientists and other specialists.

Cathy has also authored a book, "Thriving After the Death of a Child," a powerful guide on how parents can enrich their lives with lessons about love. She recounts her spiral into a dark, relentless depression and then learned to live again in a powerful way.

In today's episode, Cathy and Angela dig into the idea that we live in a grief illiterate society and how we can all take steps to change that … to normalize grief as a part of existence.

Because death and loss and grief are an inevitable part of living and loving.

What to listen for:

• Why grieving the loss of your pet is normal
• The power of memories and photos
• The importance of sharing your story
• How self-care moves you forward to healing
• The difference between guilt and regret

Find Cathy

CathyCheshire.com

Her book

Thriving After the Death of a Child

Our podcast is centred around connecting you, the human, to the support and services you may need as your pet ages and ultimately leaves your physical world.

At the heart of those services is professional pet photography. All of the individuals who bring you this content are professional pet photographers.

Some have niched down into what is known as end of life pet photography but none of us really like that term, since it's so clinical and cold. We prefer Rainbow Sessions or Legacy Sessions or Memory Sessions.

As a professional dog photographer, my niche is adventure, celebrating humans and dogs doing dog things in the great outdoors.

Today, I'm chatting with Kylee Doyle of Kylee Doyle Photography in Sacramento, who has found her niche in reactive dogs. Kylee serves pet parents in Northern California, from Sacramento to Tahoe, helping them turn their pets into photographic artwork they can proudly display in their homes for generations to come.

Reactive dogs often have an intense fear or aggression toward humans or other dogs, which can make it difficult for them to be in public spaces. That certainly presents its own set of challenges.

Kylee has a reactive dog, Omega, a Dutch shepherd who has heightened sensitivities and can be an emotional handful.

In trying to find resources to help Omega, Kylee realized other pet parents with reactive dogs may need someone to work with in a way that makes them feel safe and comfortable. Many may even shy away from having a portrait session done because they don’t know how their dog will handle it.

But they have a beauty, personality and spirit that should be documented and celebrated, too, in photos that don't scream "reactive dog!" or "aggressive dog!"

They are loving, individual beings who should be a part of your family photos and home décor.

But enough of me going on about it. Let's let Kylee tell us about photographing reactive dogs.

What to listen for

6:30 How reactive dogs can be challenging

12:30 The ways Kylee mitigates reactivity in her canine clients

21:00 The different parenting skills you need to develop for each dog in your house

28:10 Why Kylee sees herself in her reactive dog's eyes

Find Kylee

Kylee Doyle Photography

Instagram

Facebook

In a world where power dynamics often leave us feeling disempowered and disconnected, Carmen Theobald has found a unique, transformative way to help humans reclaim their personal power and reconnect with their true selves.

Through her work at Horse Sense North, Carmen harnesses the healing power of horses to guide individuals on a journey toward empowerment and authenticity.

At Horse Sense North, the belief is that true empowerment comes from a place of balance and heart-centeredness. It is about finding the strength within ourselves to be who we are meant to be, without fear or inhibition. Carmen understands the challenges that come with navigating power dynamics and strives to provide her clients with the skills and tools necessary to move through the world with confidence and grace.

Carmen joins us to chat about the Horse Sense North mission that is centered on clarity, connection and courage. And how through the horses' unique ability to provide immediate, non-judgmental feedback, clients often rediscover their authentic selves and embark on profound inner journeys of healing and self-discovery.

And of course we talk about that one horse that changed Carmen.

What to Listen For

• Carmen's trauma, growth and connection with horses
• That horse that taught Carmen to understand a horse's perspective and trauma
• Where Carmen learned to show up for herself
• Why she wants to build a bridge between horses and humans
• How horses can help humans connect deeply with themselves and find their authenticity
• Why connecting with horses can help us transform our own healing journey

Where to Find Carmen

Horse Sense North

Facebook

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

LinkedIn

Chris Miller is the eye behind the camera at MIL Pet Photography in Windsor and Ascot, United Kingdom.

After a 40-year career in tech, he heard the call of the shutter release button … his dad having been a semiprofessional photographer, too.

But he also heard the howl of dog, too, and settled on a second career in dog photography.

With his wife Sue on his team, Chris created MIL Pet Photography with a goal to take pet guardians on magical adventures throughout their borough, which is about 30 miles outside London.

Things took a turn last fall, though, when Chris and Sue experienced the loss of their precious kitty, Summer. The heartache at their cat's sudden passing weighed … continues to weigh heavily.

But when Chris heard me interviewed on a podcast for photographers about One Last Network and the training I give to help professional pet photographers better support their clients in grief, a new path became clear.

He registered almost immediately, took the grief training and scored a perfect 18 on the certification quiz.

He now seeks to be a conduit for his clients to find the support and services they may need but not be aware of within his community. He strives to connect people and what a wonderful goal that is.

What to listen for

2:28 Chris's journey in dog photography

6:51 How dog photography fills Chris's soul

11:21 Why it was time for Summer to go

28:41 How Chris carries his grief into his sessions

39:17 How grief training has changed the way Chris exists

Where to find Chris

MIL Pet Photography

YouTube

Facebook

Instagram

We're back with Dr. Kyle Bohland from the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center.

Last week, we talked about the behavioral issues that seems to be becoming more common in our companion animals.

Today, we're exploring the complex issue of behavioral euthanasia. We talk about the signs that might prompt such a decision and the factors involved in the process.

Dr. Bohland emphasizes the importance of considering our pets' quality of life and safety, along with the quality of life and safety of the humans who share the home.

Dr. Bohland highlights how the decision to euthanize on the basis of behavioral issues requires teamwork from the pet guardian and their veterinarian.

What to listen for

5:23 How to decide it may be time for behavioral euthanasia

11:45 The considerations a veterinarian might have around behavioral issues

15:00 Having a conversation with your vet about behavioral euthanasia

19:09 When your vet might start that conversation

32:13 The impact behavioral euthanasia has on the veterinary world

Where to find Dr. Bohland

Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center

OSU's Honoring the Bond Grief Support

OSU Facebook

OSU YouTube

I've struggled a while with addressing this topic.

I don't have human children, never wanted one. So who was I to host a podcast on how to talk to kids about the family pet dying?

But I remembered that all I had to do was put on my old journalist hat and ask the right questions.

First question: who can answer those questions?

Of course, my good friend Coleen Ellis of Two Hearts Pet Loss Center can. Coleen is also my mentor in pet loss grief companioning.

With Dr. Mary Gardner, cofounder of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, Coleen has written two books to guide children through their grief. Both are called "My Forever Friend."

One is for saying goodbye to a special dog and the other for saying goodbye to a special cat. Each one contains activities for parents and children to work through together.

Coleen, who also doesn't have skin children, a term I learned from Coleen, is quite easily the kind of person you can trust to accompany your kids on this grief journey.

She's dynamic and engaging and most importantly empathetic and compassionate.

What to listen for

• How Coleen guides children through their grief with a collaborative, empathetic approach
• The importance of letting children grieve and process their emotions their own way
• Why we should use clear language when discussing death with children
• Involving children in the planning for and day of euthanasia

Where to find Coleen

Coleen Rocks

Two Hearts Pet Loss Center

Forever Friend: A children's guide and activity book for saying goodbye to a special dog (Amazon)

Forever Friend: A children's guide and activity book for saying goodbye to a special cat

Pet loss grief is a disenfranchised grief.

That means it isn't always accepted by general society, and it can lead people to say inappropriate things to people in grief, be unsupportive or be entirely absent.

These are people who don't understand the depth of love we have for our pets, the profundity of our connection to our best fur friends, and the pain we experience when we lose them.

In today's episode One Last Network host Angela Schneider has some real talk with Beth Bigler of Honoring Our Animals about the stupid shit people say, how to manage those people and where to look for support.

Beth is a double-certified pet loss grief counselor, a certified pet chaplain and a certified end-of-life animal companion doula. She works with individuals and families before, during and after the loss of their beloved animal companions.

She's known for her Instagram account, @honoringouranimals, where she shares daily content and tips about pet loss grief with a unique blend of humor, compassion and telling it like it is.

She works closely with animal care workers, veterinary professionals and other pet industry brands on grief training and awareness.

She is a seasoned film and television professional, college instructor and mom of a 3-year-old son and three crazy cats.

Find Beth

HonoringOurAnimals.com

Instagram

I'm a word nerd.

I took linguistics courses toward my bachelor's degree and I've been a professional writer for more than 30 years.

Words matter to me.

And recently I've been spending a lot of time thinking about the language and words we use around death, loss and grief, particularly when we're talking about our companion animals.

So I brought back my fellow word nerd and friend of the pod, Beth Bigler, for her third appearance.

Beth, who has become so well known for her Instagram account, @honoringouranimals, is a certified pet loss grief counselor and pet chaplain.

She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in arts and has over 20 years of experience in film, including in writing. Heck, she's even an instructor at New York Film Academy in their screenwriting and producing departments.

Beth even uses writing in her counseling, helping her grief clients navigate their journey of love and loss with their pets through the power of story.

What to listen for

• Some of our terminologies with pet loss grief are old-fashioned
• Our beliefs about death influence the way we talk about it
• The challenges of language when discussing death
• Our words can create moments of self-compassion and self-loathing
• Why we hate the terms "pet loss grief" and "end of life pet photography"

Where to find Beth

HonoringOurAnimals.com

Instagram

The Art of Finding the Right Support

The Art of Chasing Rainbows

We are hitting lucky number 13 today, our 13th episode. I'm not into superstition at all … like AT ALL. Any time I see a black cat, I give her a nod and say, "What's up, cat?"

And today, we are taking a little break from the discussion of death and loss and grief. It can be a bit of a heavy topic, eh?

We are, at One Last Network, dedicated to the support and services pet guardians need as their pets age, too, not just as we prepare for those last walks with our precious babes.

As our pets age, we need to adjust our behaviors and schedules to allow them the space to grow old gracefully. But in ways, you might not think …

We might imagine our dogs need to spend all day sleeping or stay away from rambunctious younger dogs. (Or maybe that's us, projecting our desires to be old and cranky and … well, if you're over 50, you know what I mean.)

Research at the University of Toronto has shown that giving older animals mental exercise, encouraging them to engage in problem-solving activities and exposing them to new, different and richer environments, helps to offset the decline in mental acuity.

We can, says psychologist Norton W. Milgram, change the physiology of our dog's brain by creating new connections between existing neurons simply by changing our dog's routine and giving them new experiences.

That's what Episode No. 13 is all about. I turn the mic over Courtney Bryson of CM Bryson Photography in Atlanta and she interviews her friend Paula Nowak of Canine Country Academy, based in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

They discuss simple modifications on common tricks and behaviors to help our senior dogs live out their best lives.

Find Paula

Canine Country Academy

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

End-of-life pet photography -- which is an icky, clinical term that many professional pet photographers don't prefer -- is an honor and a privilege. As pet photographers we get to share in our clients' taking their last walks with their faithful companions. 

This week, some of the Founding and Platinum members of One Last Network have gathered for a roundtable discussion on our legacy sessions and what offering this service to pet guardians means to us. Everyone is or will be trained as a pet loss grief specialist under the One Last Network banner, because we not only want to create beautiful images of you and your best fur friend together but we also want to be a part of your support network.

Many of us have taken that last walk and we know it can be a lonely, painful time and sometimes all you need is someone to listen or hold your hand through it. We are equipped as pet loss grief specialists to be that friend.

Appearing on today's call are:

• Darlene Woodward of Pant the Town Photography in Massachusetts
• Jes Wasik of Bark and Gold Photography in Pittsburgh
• Kylee Doyle of Kylee Doyle Photography in Sacramento
• Nancy Keiffer of Nancy Keiffer Photography in Syracuse, New York
• Lynn Sehnert of Lance and Lili Pet Photography in Ashburn, Virginia
• Nicole Hrustyk of Pawtraits by Nicole in Las Vegas
• Angela Schneider of Big White Dog Photography in Spokane, Washington

Join us as we explore the topic of memorial sessions and why they're such an important part of our businesses.

Have you taken an Enneagram test?

What number are you?

Today we welcome pet loss grief coach Wendy van de Poll and Pant the Town Photography's Darlene Woodward who explore the profound connection between the Enneagram and navigating the emotional journey of losing a beloved pet.

Wendy shares her unique approach to pet loss grief, which combines her extensive experience in animal communication, mediumship and the Enneagram.

Wendy explains how understanding the nine personality types of the Enneagram can offer invaluable insights and tools for coping with grief. She delves into the different ways head, heart, and gut types experience and process grief, providing practical advice on how to use this ancient system to foster healing and self-awareness during such a challenging time.

Darlene, a true Type 4, shares her personal experience with grief and how the Enneagram has helped her understand and manage her emotions better, while Wendy offers tips on how to get started with the Enneagram, recommending specific books and resources to help guide you on this transformative journey.

What to listen for

• Wendy's journey with the Enneagram
• The three body types under the Enneagram
• How the types differ when encountering pet loss grief
• How Wendy applies the Enneagram to her animal medium sessions
• Why understanding our Enneagram number can help us cope with grief

Where to Find Wendy

Website

Facebook

LinkedIn

Resources Mentioned in This Episode 

The Wisdom of the Enneagram by Russ Hudson and Don Richard Riso

You Are More Than a Type by Tammy Hendrix

I first encountered Bryn Souza several years ago as a member of a writers group called BlogPaws and through the Dog Writers Association of America. We met in person the first time at the DWAA annual awards ceremony in February 2020 and again this past spring at Global Pet Expo.

To know Bryn is to see the sunshine in every day. She has a bright, engaging personality and she loves dogs. Oh my dog, how she loves dogs, especially her Boston terriers.

A graduate of Quinnipiac University with a master's in business administration, Bryn is smart and articulate. She hosts a blog about her life with her dogs at ADogWalksIntoaBar.com and she's now the marketing director of Pet Hub, the first company to launch a QR code ID tag in an attempt to lower the United States' dismal return to owner rate for lost pets.

Bryn's life took an awful turn in 2022. She lost her beloved Bean, her marriage, her cat Mimi, the home she loved … I wished I could have reached out to her and say, "Hey, I'm here if you need me," but I was in my own shitty year.

Bryn is our guest this week, sharing her journey through these last 18 months. Through it all, she has remained positive … and open to signs sent to her from Yoda and Bean, who are both in the next realm now, wherever that may be.

What to listen for

2:24 The losses come one after another

10:02 How Bryn managed multiple losses

12:49 When her comfort dog Yoda starts slipping away

16:28 Guilt knocks on the door

20:23 Messages from Yoda and Bean

28:45 How to stay open to change

Last week, Angela interviewed professional pet photographer Kylee Doyle of Kylee Doyle Photography in Sacramento, California.

Kylee's journey in pet photography has shifted in the last several years. Since adopting an emotional Dutch shepherd named Omega, she has realized pet parents with reactive dogs may not feel confident in exposing their best fur friends to a portrait session.

She wants to change that and ensure pet parents in Northern California not only have the opportunity but also the resources to learn how to manage their little basket cases.

Kylee found a wonderful resource in Allison Daack of Daack Pack Dog Training, which Allison founded in June 2016 after nearly a decade of working in wildlife rehabilitation and dog training facilities around the United States.

Allison and her team are committed to helping owners create practical, actionable solutions to problematic behaviors using the latest science on animal behavior, a deep understanding of their client's lifestyles and needs and an empathetic approach.

I'm turning the mic over to Kylee this week so she can put Allison on the hot seat about working with reactive dogs. Have a listen. You are sure to pick up a few things about working with your own sweet babe.

What to Listen For

3:07 What drew Allison to animal training

9:05 What does "reactive" mean for humans and dogs

15:17 How Allison uses fear-free training

24:12 The signs of increased reactivity in older dogs

29:19 Why you should do your research before hiring a dog trainer

Find Allison

Daack Pack Dog Training

Instagram

Facebook

While much of our content on this podcast caters to senior pet care and the grief we endure in the days leading up to and after our last farewells, I love to bring you information about end of life pet photography sessions … with professional photographers.

One Last Network has a small but growing directory where you can find professional photographers in your area to assist you in creating the kind of memories I believe will help to comfort you in your grief and lead you toward a path of healing.

We gather together every couple of months to discuss a subject pertinent to our work so that you can prepare for your upcoming session and feel comfortable with your photographer.

One of the key elements in being a photographer is the ability to translate any location, any moment into beautiful memories.

The right location can elevate our photos and create a memorable experience and as professional photographers, it is our responsibility to know where the great locations are for your end of life pet photography session and how to work with a less than ideal location.

Who joins us

Sharon Canovas

Canovas Photography in Hamilton, Ontario

Instagram

Kylee Doyle

Kylee Doyle Photography in Sacramento, California

Instagram

Jenn Wilson

Jenn Wilson Pet Portraiture in Kitchener, Ontario

Instagram

Darlene Woodward

Pant the Town Photography in Georgetown,  Massachusetts

Instagram

Lynn Sehnert

Lance & Lili Photography in Ashburn, Virginia

Instagram

Lisa Peterson

Pawsh Photography in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Instagram

Nicole Hrustyk

Pawtraits by Nicole in Las Vegas, Nevada

Instagram

Angela Schneider (host)

Big White Dog Photography in Spokane, Washington

Instagram

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Diana Lundin's journey from journalist to dog photographer has been a winding one, filled with challenges and personal growth.

Now she's bringing her life full circle, joining journalism and dog photography together to shine a spotlight on the way climate change is affecting our animal species.

She leaped at a recent volunteer opportunity that took her on an adventurous cross-country road trip to relocate animals for a farm sanctuary. The 3,600-mile journey was not without its obstacles, as the team navigated weather challenges, vehicle issues and a rather hungry llama.

She documented the trip while driving the bus and caring for the animals and she intends to use the experience and her storytelling skills to bring light to the important conversation surrounding the impacts fo climate change.

Where to Find Diana

You want adventure? OK, drive an animal sanctuary across the country -- Medium

Diana Lundin Photography

Facebook

Instagram

Senior dogs are a vulnerable population in North American society. 

Family dogs may develop health problems that can be expensive to treat and require an investment of time to care when life is busy.  

A family's life circumstances may change, having to move to a new place … a rental where pets are not allowed. 

There may be changes in behavior due to cognitive decline and keeping the dog in the family may become challenging. 

Or cruelest of all the reasons, senior dogs are often abandoned because they're just old and a family wants a younger, bouncier puppy.  

According to the Grey Muzzle Organization, the adoption rate for senior dogs out of shelters is much lower than that of all other ages combined. Just over 50% of dogs in shelter who are 7 or older find new homes. 

The Grey Muzzle Organization is one of the only national organizations dedicated specifically to advancing lifesaving efforts on behalf of senior dogs. It is not a shelter or rescue group. Rather it funds programs such as hospice care, senior dog adoption, medical screening and other special programs to help old dogs at animal welfare organizations across the United States and Canada 

This month, the Grey Muzzle will be announcing more than $705,000 in grants to 78 animal welfare groups working to save and improve the lives of senior dogs. That will bring its total in grant funding to more than $3.8 million since the Grey Muzzle's inception in 2008. 

Our guest today is Lisa Lunghofer, the executive director of The Grey Muzzle Organization and Making Good Work, a nonprofit that provides grant writing, strategic planning, program development and other services to mission-driven organizations. Her expertise lies in the human-animal bond, animal welfare, at-risk youth, juvenile justice, child welfare, violence prevention and education. 

Have a listen as Lisa shares her journey from child welfare research to advocacy for senior dogs … and how she can't believe her own dog, Cameron, is about to turn 14. 

What to listen for

3:27 How Lisa's research led to the Grey Muzzle 

10:51 The rewards Lisa finds in a life surrounded by trauma 

12:47 How the Grey Muzzle changes the world for senior dogs 

25:24 The benefits of adopting a senior dog 

32:12 Ways you can help the Grey Muzzle 

Where to find Lisa 

The Grey Muzzle Organization 

Making Good Work 

The Grey Muzzle Instagram 

The Grey Muzzle Facebook 

The Grey Muzzle YouTube 

The Grey Muzzle LinkedIn 

Other Important Links 

Senior Dogs Rock Online Auction 

Donate to the Grey Muzzle Organization 

Today is a throwback to this podcast's roots in the grief we endure when our best fur friends die.

My good Beth Bigler and I had this chat before I decided to rebrand the pod and expand the subject matter beyond that niche.

As I continued to study grief, it struck me that a number of folks out there might not seek professional help with their grief for the pet.

We exist in a world where our sorrow is called "disenfranchised grief," in which our loss is not necessarily accepted, respected and acknowledged by some people in our lives and the world at large.

Because it's "just a pet," right?

We know better.

And Beth helps dispense the notion that it's just too darn silly or shameful to seek professional help.

Beth is a licensed pet loss grief counselor and her Instagram account, @honoring our animals, is one of the comprehensive resources for pet loss you can find on the internet.

In this episode, she offers insights into the challenges faced by individuals navigating this grief alone.

What to Listen For

Disenfranchised grief: How society's perception of pet loss as insignificant can lead to stigma, hindering individuals from seeking support.

Challenges of seeking help: Beth sheds light on common misconceptions and barriers faced by those reaching out for counseling or support groups.

Missteps in counseling: The discussion touches on ineffective counseling experiences and the importance of finding a counselor who understands the unique dynamics of pet loss.

Creating a supportive environment: Beth shares strategies for creating a safe space where pet owners can express their grief without judgment.

Building community: The role of community in healing, offering insights into how shared experiences can provide comfort and validation.

Where to Find Beth

Honoring Our Animals website

Instagram

The transformative power of therapy animals with Mary Margaret Callahan of Pet Partners

We pet guardians see our companion animals as more than just animals, creatures with four legs roaming around our homes or yards, waiting for their next dinner.

Many of us see them as family … some of us, as our children.

Still more of us look at them as vital sources of therapy and emotional support. Our best fur friends – or hairless or scaled, whichever you choose – become vital sources of therapy and emotional support. They give us comfort, help us reduce stress and provide us with a sense of stability and responsibility.

A small group of pet guardians take their animals' secret powers and share them with others.

Today's guest is Mary Margaret Callahan, the chief mission officer at Pet Partners, an organization dedicated to improving human health and wellbeing through the power of therapy animals.

The nine different species Pet Partners registers bring joy, comfort and healing to countless individuals in hospitals, schools, senior living facilities and many other environments.

Mary Margaret and I dive into the profound impact the volunteer teams have on the humans they visit and Mary Margaret share some insights into the human-animal bond that transcends the guardian-companion relationship.

What to Listen For

• The different species Pet Partners registers as therapy animals
• The impact therapy animals have in different environments
• How Pet Partners evaluates therapy animal teams
• Why pet guardians must be aware of their animals' comfort in a therapy environment

Where to Find Pet Partners

PetPartners.org

YouTube

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

TikTok

Losing a pet is a profound experience that often leaves us grappling with overwhelming emotions. Today, I'm giving you permission to cry on your journey of pet loss grief and standing up for the need to normalize grieving for a pet.

In a world that often tells us to toughen up and hide our emotions, it's time to challenge the stigma surrounding tears, especially when it comes to grieving the loss of a beloved pet.

Let's dive into the significance of allowing ourselves to cry and the importance of normalizing the grief experienced over the death of a furry companion.

What to listen for

• Your permission to cry
• What I learned as a child about crying
• Tears as natural detox
• How society suppresses our grief over losing a pet
• A path to healing the world

Erica's back!

Erica Messer is the genius behind Wolfie's Wish, an online resource for pet guardians in grief.

It started with a deck of cards, simple pieces of guidance or affirmations that a grieving pet guardian can look to for a little help in getting through the day.

In The Art of Shuffling the Deck, we chatted about Erica's journey through pet loss grief after losing her beloved Wolfgang and how we can support each other in our grief.

We're checking back in because Erica has expanded the Wolfie's Wish website into an online shop and guidance center, and she is hosting her own virtual grief support group.

What to listen for

Erica spills the beans on her new podcast and other developments at Wolfie's Wish

Why self-care is so important during anticipatory grief

The conversation around pet loss grief is changing

How to use our memories to help us heal

Where to find Wolfie's Wish

Wolfie's Wish 

Instagram 

Facebook: Wolfie's Wish Pet Loss Support Group 

YouTube 

Losing our pets is a deeply emotional experience, and navigating the grief that follows is an essential aspect of self-care. Pets become precious members of our families, offering unconditional love and companionship. Coping with their loss requires acknowledging and processing the complex emotions that arise.

Our own self-care during pet loss grief becomes crucial. Our grief isn't just overwhelming and confusing, it's also exhausting. Our tanks run empty because all of our energy is funneled into the pain and sorrow we're feeling.

Our founder and host Angela Schneider of Big White Dog Photography in Spokane, Washington, shares some thoughts this week about why we need to make self-care a priority and how we might do that.

Listen as Angela shares personal insights and valuable lessons to help navigate the intricate journey of grief.

What to listen for

1:32 Why grieving for our pets can be more intense

3:37 The importance of acknowledging our grief

4:58 Ways to cope with grief

6:32 How to prioritize ourselves

📚Recommended Episodes to Revisit:

• The Art of Surviving the Holidays
• The Art of Saying No with Sheryl Green
• The Art of Navigating Your New World with Kait Dinunzio

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Lynn Sehnert of Lance and Lili Photography covering the Washington, D.C., area takes the mic today and interviews Jessey Scheip, a licensed veterinary technician with a specialty in behavior.

Jessey also has training certification from the Karen Pryor Academy and has worked with Dr. Amy Pike of the Animal Behavior Wellness Center in Fairfax, Virginia.

That's where Lynn met Jessey, looking for help with her sweet boy Lance.

Jessey enjoys teaching pet guardians how to understand their pets and how to use behavior principles to ensure they grow together and live their best lives together.

Today, Lynn and Jessey have an in-depth discussion about canine cognitive disorder.

What to listen for

• How Jessey fills a void between veterinary behaviorists and standard trainers
• What symptoms should pet guardians watch for to notice CCD
• Why pet guardians should track their pets' health changes
• Treatment options for canine cognitive dysfunction
• When to decide it's time to say goodbye

Where to find Jessey

Mindful Mentor Behavior Consulting

Facebook

Other episodes you may find interesting

The Art of Balancing Behavior Issues, part 1, with Dr. Kyle Bohland

The Art of Balancing Behavior Issues, part 2, with Dr. Kyle Bohland

The Art of Aging Gracefully with Dr. Dennis Wormald

Alongside her husband Joe, Darla is the founder of Gray Paws Sanctuary, where they are passionate about senior dogs! Since 2014, they've been caring for older dogs in the greater Pittsburgh area in need of preventative and routine medical care, physical therapy, socialization, and above all, love!

Darla and Joe do this in three ways. First, senior dogs in “sanctuary” live with them, spending every day caring for this pack of senior dogs themselves.

The couple also matches senior dogs with local families through their “Forever Foster Care – Medical Coverage Program” to care for them for the duration of their lives.

Finally, their LOYAL Program provides financial support to families in order to help prevent the surrender or premature euthanasia of senior dogs that can be kept healthy and safe in their current homes.

Darla is the creator of "The Eight Pillars of a Dog's Life Chart" designed to assist people in deciding when the quality of life is such that it is time to let go.

Find Darla and Gray Paws Sanctuary

Gray Paws Sanctuary

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Learn how handing out snacks as a flight attendant makes Darlene Woodward a better pet photographer. Meet the beautiful human behind Pant the Town Photography, covering Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine, with the most incredible dog photography on the beaches of the Atlantic Coast. Darlene is a master of the silhouette and the human-dog connection.

Darlene is also the host of our next episode, featuring animal communicator Laurie Blomer.

Find Darlene:

Pant the Town Photography

Facebook

Instagram

I’m sharing some important news about the future of this podcast. I appreciate each and every one of you who has listened, shared and supported the show.”

I’ve come to a decision that has been difficult but necessary: there will be no more episodes of The Companions Collective.

2024 has thrown us a lot of curveballs here at Chez Bella, making life a little more challenging lately. My baby girl is not really a baby anymore and with arthritis setting in on that leg she had TPLO surgery on in January 2023, she needs more from me. More of everything.

As many of you know, she is my world, just as your pets are to you.

She's my ride or die and it’s vital for me to be there for her in this time.

On top of that, my husband and I have faced some challenges dealing with his mother's estate. Navigating this kind of family business has been a heavy burden, and balancing everything has become increasingly difficult.

I need to simplify my life to focus on what matters most right now.

I’ve loved flexing my interview skills and connecting with so many of you through this podcast, especially during episodes that focused on understanding pet loss and grief. I believe our pets—especially our dogs—come into our lives to change us and make us better people. Losing them transforms us in even more profound ways, and those conversations have been close to my heart. I’m proud of the insights we’ve shared together.

I set a personal goal to reach 100 episodes, and while I won’t get there, I’m grateful for the journey and the conversations that brought us all closer together.

I do believe, though, that many of the episodes are a valuable resource to pet guardians who are experiencing anticipatory grief or pet loss grief. I hope you will go back and listen again when you need them or share them with someone who might need to hear them.

This isn’t goodbye forever; it’s just a shift in focus. I have other creative pursuits I want to explore, and I believe there’s a different outlet out there that might align more with where I am in my life right now.

I'll be over at Big White Dog Photography, making art for people who love their dogs that damn much, and getting as much love and as many snuggles as I can from the sweetest Maremmano-Abrusseze to ever exist in the world.

Thank you for being part of The Companions Collective. Your support has meant the world to me, and I hope you continue to honor the beautiful bond we share with our pets. Keep being kind to yourselves and each other. Until we meet again, tell your dog I said hi.

Grief can bring with it periods of loneliness and isolation.

Some may choose to find comfort in messages, hugs and social interactions after their pet's death, while others may need solitude to process their emotions and memories.

Our founder, Angela Schneider of Big White Dog Photography in Spokane, Washington, has experienced both.

In today's episode she explores the deep emotional connection people have with their pets and how the grief of losing them can lead to isolation.

She dives into the way society often downplays the significance of pet loss grief and the impact of unsupportive reactions from others. She explains that isolation, whether self-imposed or societal, can affect the grieving process in both positive and negative ways.

For many, Angela says, the best path may be to find a balance of solitude with social interactions to navigate the grief journey in a healthy way. She encourages honoring your emotions while seeking support from friends, family and, when needed, professionals.

What to listen for

1:41 Why we develop such profound connections with our pets

2:45 How grief can be a very lonely journey

3:38 What happens if we withdraw too much

4:43 The benefits to finding time and space to yourself

7:07 When healing begins

Jessica Wasik is the top dog at Bark & Gold Pet Photography in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 

Jes is unabashedly in love with her 13-year-old boy, Hunter, a Siberian retriever and Bark & Gold Photography’s Frisbee-catching, bed-hogging Head of Shed. Hunter, her heart dog, is the reason why her home is a little hairier, her bed a little tighter, and her heart a lot fuller. He is the inspiration behind Bark & Gold Photography.

When Hunter turned 10 a few years, Jes had a moment. She was hit by the fact Hunter had turned from a bright, bouncy puppy to a gray-faced old man. In this  week's episode, we dig into that and how our lives might change as our dogs grow older. We slow down with them and we want to … because who wants to miss a single moment when there are fewer days ahead of us than behind us?

We also chat about photos … of course … and why we shouldn't just take all the photos we possibly can of our best fur friends but also get professional photos done with them.

November is National Senior Pet Month. Thanks to veterinary medicine and research, our pets are living longer and healthier lives but we do have to watch for those signs of aging and maybe take some slower steps with our sweet seniors.

Kait Dinunzio is a change expert with Helios Consulting Inc., based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She guides companies of all sizes through industry transitions to stay competitive. Sounds completely unrelated to pet loss grief, doesn't it? Not really. Kait takes what she knows about change management and applies to her family's day-to-day life. Kait and your host Angela Schneider are longtime friends and in this episode embark on a discussion about the dogs they've loved and lost and how their losses have impacted their lives. 

Find Kait:

Helios Consulting

LinkedIn

Her podcast, Pocket Change

Remy Bibaud is the co-founder of PetPerennials.com, an online resource of gifts for pet lovers that cover all the milestones of our pets' lives.

She and Lori Davidson started out eight years ago wanting to create a personalized way to bring comfort to families going through pet loss.

Because of Olive.

A beautiful yellow Labrador retriever mix, Olive loved to play fetch, go on long walks with Remy and sniffing out the deer in the backyard.

She went to work with Remy every day at her old business office and claimed her spot on the loveseat for seven years.

Olive became suddenly ill one day and was diagnosed with acute kidney failure. There was nothing that could be done.

Combining their experiences with love and loss, Lori and Remy came up with the Pet Perennials Kit, a do-it-yourself gardening kit that generates new life by sowing and growing perennial wildflower seed wafers.

Remy has some wonderful thoughts to share about the gifts we can send to our friends and family who are experiencing pet loss grief, and how the pet business industry can change to support pet guardians through all stages of their beloved companion animals' lives.

What to listen for

0:23 The beginning of PetPerennials.com

5:58 The most popular items at Pet Perennials

16:53 How ignoring pet loss grief is a disservice to mankind … and pets

32:18 How Remy gives space for people in grief to be heard

43:12 What to write in a sympathy card to a pet lover in grief

Find Remy

PetPerennials.com

Facebook Group: I'm Not Crazy Because I Talk to Animals

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Twitter

Pinterest

Things are going to change around here.

Said not in the tone my father used to say those words ...

The topics of grief, loss and pet loss grief are heavy, and I understand that not every episode is easy to listen to, especially if you're in grief.

It's taken its toll on me too.

To care better care of myself, we're rebranding from One Last Network to The Companions Collective and diversifying the content we're going to offer.

Look forward to discussions on a broader range of pet-related topics, including the profound connection between human and companion animal and the incredible projects my professional pet photographer friends are using to change the world.

Let's emBARK on this next stage of the journey!

Before becoming a professional psychic, Laurie Blomer spent 25 years working with Fortune 500 companies in employee relations, training and leadership development and performance management.

Today, she helps you talk with your animal friend, whether they are alive or deceased.

Laurie sees into a photo to read an animal's body language, intentions and desires.

LaurieBlomer.com

Facebook

Penny Layne, or Aunt Penny as she's also known, is the force behind Pittsburgh Pet Prayer Blankets. She also runs her own grief companion program and does a wonderful job helping those who have lost a beloved furkid manage their grief.

Penny also owns Aunt Penny's Professional Dog Training and is committed to providing the most effective, convenient force-free solutions for clients’ dog training needs, expectant families' dog challenges, shelter/rescue staff and volunteer safety education classes, children’s dog bite prevention programs as well as first responders challenges with dogs they encounter on the job.

She brings a diverse background in canines and training through her work with service dogs for people with physical challenges, working in a vet hospital, owning a boarding, grooming, and training kennel.

Penny is a National Speaker, licensed presenter for the International Family Paws Parent Education programs (Dogs and storks and Dogs and Toddlers), as well as an Advanced Certified Pet Tech, a Nationally Certified Professional Dog Trainer, an occupational dog bite prevention instructor, a media consultant, and the first certified fear-free dog professional in Western Pennsylvania.

Penny and her husband Shawn reside in Irwin, PA, and have four adult children and four grandchildren. When not educating humans about canines, Penny enjoys her husband, grandchildren, their own nine dogs, two pygmy goats, and two betta fish.

This week, Jessica Wasik of Bark and Gold Photography in Pittsburgh interviews Aunt Penny about the Pittsburgh Pet Prayer Blankets and how they are sending comfort to ill or injured animals and their humans all around the world.

Find Penny

Pet Prayer Blankets

Coleen Ellis understands and appreciates the depth of love pet guardians have for their companion animals.

She's felt it many times over.

Her dogs, her fur kids, are her world and as each one leaves her physical world she finds ways thoughtful, impactful ways to honor the lives they lived here on Earth with her.

Coleen started the nation’s first stand-alone pet funeral home, Pet Angel Memorial Center, which now has locations across the Midwest, southeast and Carolinas.

Coleen also recently released her first book, Pet Parents: A Journey Through Unconditional Love and Grief.

She also operates Two Hearts Pet Loss Center, an online resource for pet professionals to learn more about the grief journey pet parents endure. I am a certified pet loss grief companion under Two Hearts Pet Loss Center.

She is a student herself of Dr. Alan Wolfelt, who teaches that people in grief need a companion, someone to listen and be present, rather than treatment.

Because we are not broken. We simply need others to witness our pain and loss, and support us on our new paths.

Coleen is an incredibly engaging, dynamic interview and I am so proud to have my teacher, my mentor and my friend on the podcast today to talk about the ways we can keep our best fur friends alive in our hearts and in our stories.

And with that, we talk about how to make those final days with your pet peaceful, empowering and memorable.

Have a listen. It is a long one but Coleen gives us so much great information and advice.

What to listen for:

8:56: What will you do right now to make the end perfect?

11:30: The rules for pet loss are written by the 30% who don't get it.

31:24: How we can honor the memories of our pets through art.

43:05: Making the decision to attend -- or not -- your pet's euthanasia

Find Coleen:

Two Hearts Pet Loss Center

Pet Angel Memorial Center

Buy her book on Amazon:

Pet Parents: A Journey Through Unconditional Love and Grief

"If they love me that much, why can't I love me that much," Maureen Scanlon asked herself one day.

And it's true.

It's a very common story I see in not only my Big White Dog Photography clients, but also in my dog-loving friends and, of course, myself.

Maureen Scanlon is the founder and of Maureen Scanlon Life Coaching, an author, relationship expert, motivational speaker, positive change integrator and spiritual coach. From young professionals to middle-aged adults, Maureen has successfully helped many clients overcome past experiences and negative thinking.

In addition to her real-life experiences, Maureen has held group coaching sessions and retreats for mindful change, and created a five-step program for fostering meaningful relationships.

She is an award-winning author of two books called My Dog is More Enlightened Than I Am and My Dog is My Relationship Coach.

Maureen and I have a lively discussion about what our dogs teach us … in their time here with us and in the days after they leave us. Right before Christmas, Maureen's beloved Brodie died from osteosarcoma, the second-most common cancer that takes our best fur friends.

We explore that and how Brodie continues to show her the way, even making occasional appearances to let her know he's still around, looking out for her and the rest of the pack.

Have a listen.

What to listen for

7:59 The secret to happiness is easy, just ask your dog
19:06 How Maureen found peace after Brodie's death
26:41 Getting ready to say goodbye
41:05 Brodie continues to show up for Maureen

Find Maureen

Maureen Scanlon Life Coaching

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

My Dog is More Enlightened Than I Am on Amazon

My Dog is My Relationship Coach on Amazon

I Never Knew But My Dog Did on Apple Podcasts

I Never Knew But My Dog Did on Spotify

After the death of her son Jimmy in 2014, Margo Fowkes (Folks) created Salt Water, a blog and online community that provides a safe harbor for those who are grieving the death of someone dear to them. Inspired by Jimmy’s determination to live a rich, full life despite his cancer diagnosis, Salt Water’s articles and other resources focus on healing and building a new life in the aftermath of a devastating loss.

Margo is also the founder and president of OnTarget Consulting, Inc., a firm specializing in helping organizations and individuals act strategically, improve their performance and achieve their business goals. She works with clients to solve problems of productivity, morale and innovation. 

Margo recently released her first book, Leading Through Loss: How to Navigate Grief at Work, and she coaches leaders on how to create a more compassionate culture by acknowledging and speaking openly about grief and loss in the workplace.

That's what we're talking about today: how to navigate grief in the workplace, from the perspective of the person in grief to her coworkers and her management team.

But particularly from the context of pet loss grief. I remember at one of the newspapers I worked at decades ago, one of our graphic designers had to say goodbye to her horse. She took her year's worth of vacation, two weeks.

And I'll fully admit I didn't get it then. It took the pain of losing Shep for me to understand the depth of pain, and I wasn't working at the time. I was home alone and I remember yearning to have a job at the time -- not just to keep me busy but also to have a community around me, even if it might not have been as supportive as I needed it to be at the time. Because pet loss grief is disenfranchised and might not rank as worthy in the eyes of many who don't get it.

We talk about that, too.

What to listen for

3:10 What drove Margo into the grief business

7:32 How we carry our grief into the workplace

11:35 How we can create a more supportive workplace

15:41 What can management teams do to help employees in grief

28:24 The essential elements of providing support in the workplace

Where to find Margo

Salt Water: Find Your Safe Harbor

Salt Water on Facebook

Salt Water on Instagram

OnTarget Consulting

Margo's book, Leading Through Loss: How to Navigate Grief at Work, on Amazon

You're not weird if you see a dog in a muzzle and think, "He's so scary looking."

You're not weird if you see a dog in a muzzle, pick up your chihuahua and hurriedly cross the street.

But you might be wrong.

Kylee Doyle of Kylee Doyle Photography in Sacramento, California, has embarked on an incredibly meaningful personal project: photographing dogs in their muzzles.

She hopes to educate people that dogs wear muzzles for a variety of reasons, not just because they might be aggressive or reactive.

Kylee sits down with me today to tell me all about her project and what she hopes it can mean to the dog community, not just in Northern California but around the world.

Where to find Kylee

KyleeDoylePhotography.com

Instagram

Facebook

The big thing I love about today's guest is how she stresses the power of our relationships with our dogs.

Dr. Julie Buzby has been an integrative veterinarian for nearly 20 years. She earned her certification from the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association in 1998 and from the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 2002.

She blends traditional Western medicine with alternative therapies and creates out-of-the-box tools for pet guardians to understand and improve their dogs' health and quality of life.

She invented ToeGrips, synthetic sheaths that cover the dogs' toenails and assist with traction and mobility.

The blog on ToeGrips.com is an incredible resource for all pet guardians, but especially for us pet guardians whose companion animals are entering or have entered the senior stage.

Today, she guides us through the concerns we need to have as guardians of senior dogs and how to recognize the more telling signs that something might be wrong.

Make sure you stay tuned to the end for a special discount code from Dr. Buzby.

What to listen for

0:20 Dr. Buzby's passion for veterinary and holistic medicine

4:12 How ToeGrips can help your dog move around the house

9:31 The signs we need to watch for in our senior dogs

18:18 Changes we can make around the house to help our senior dogs

25:45 The factors that affect a dog's longevity

32:19 How to maintain our dogs' dignity in their golden years

Where to find Dr. Buzby

ToeGrips.com

Instagram

Facebook

Your discount codes

Dr. Buzby's Tip-to-Tail Health Scan: Use code ONELAST

Get $10 off your first 12 months of Help Texts

Donna Wilson is a professor in the Faculty of Nursing at University of Alberta in Edmonton. Her program of research focuses on health services and health policy, primarily in relation to aging and end-of-life care. She has conducted or been involved in studies on grief and bereavement, ageism, social isolation and many more topics.

This summer, she and her team released the results of a study that found humor to be both a grief trigger and a coping mechanism for grief. 

Have a listen as Donna and I dig into more subjects than grief and humor, including what a good death is and why it's OK if all you do for a grieving friend is show up with a casserole.

Donna Wilson

Humor: A Grief Trigger and Also a Way to Manage or Live With Your Grief

The best medicine? Humour can be a double-edged part of grieving

Lorem

Gayle King once introduced Carol Bryant as "a dog lover of the highest order."

Carol, whom I met in 2020 just weeks before the whole world shut down with the COVID-19 pandemic, has been on King's Oprah Radio to talk about the love of dogs.

Carol is so much into the dog business that she had her catchphrase "my heart beats dog" trademarked and tattooed on her left bicep.

She is the immediate past president of the Dog Writers Association of America, a member of the American Spaniel Club, founder of the Club Cocker Facebook group, and founder of Wigglebutt Warriors, a fundraising group that has raised over $80,000 to date for homeless Cockers and other dogs.

She's also the co-author of Pet Blogging for Love & Money and author of the DogMinder, a canine health and wellness journal.

That's not all. Carol is a very very busy woman.

In November last year, Carol's beloved boy, a Cocker Spaniel named Dexter, was diagnosed with and then very suddenly died from hermangiosarcoma.

Hermangiosarcoma is a highly malignant cancer that commonly attacks a dog's spleen, liver, heart and skin. Hermangiosarcoma's cause, according to NC State Veterinary Hospital, is in most cases unknown. There are options for surgery and chemotherapy but the Flint Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University says despite treatment, the long-term prognosis for dogs with hermangiosarcoma is generally poor.

Carol very publicly shared her pain on her Facebook profile.

Every post, every word she wrote on Facebook tore my heart apart. I could feel her panic and agony as Dexter was diagnosed and dying of hermangiosarcoma.

What she didn't realize at the time was how she helping other dog lovers recognize the signs of hermangiosarcoma and get their dogs to treatment. She was also able to bring comfort and learning to thousands by being very public about the trauma she experienced in losing her Dexter.

Join me and Carol as we look back on those days and discuss why she felt she needed to be so public with her pain and how the stories she and others have told about her beloved Dexter have brought her comfort in the days following his death.

Listen for:

• Why the Cocker Spaniel is Carol's special breed
• The sudden onset of the news that Dexter had hermangiosarcoma
• The lessons she learned from Dexter
• How Carol is learning to live with her grief, carrying her "grief suitcase" with her wherever she goes
• What not to say to a grieving dog owner

Find Carol:

Fidose of Reality

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Pinterest

Twitter

You might not want to believe what I'm about to tell you … brace yourself.

Running an animal rescue isn't all glamour, snuggles and magical puppy breath.

I know, right? Shocking.

Running an animal rescue can be incredibly challenging, logistically and emotionally. On one hand, there's an immense satisfaction and joy in providing a safe haven for animals in need, giving them a chance at a better life.

On the other hand, it comes with a heavy responsibility of making decisions to end an animal's life.

The simple reality is -- and it's going to be a tough one to hear -- not every life can be saved. There may be cases where euthanasia is the most humane option, whether due to illness, injury or behavioral issues.

These decisions weigh heavily on the shoulders of those running a sanctuary, as they must balance compassion with practicality and often limited resources.

Amy Castro of Starlight Outreach and Rescue in Friendswood, Texas, joins us today to talk about the ongoing burden of making those decisions.

Amy is a people management and communications expert who coaches organizations on leadership building. While volunteering at one of her local rescues, she felt prompted to start her own in 2017.

With upwards of 40 animals on her 7-acre property at any given time, Amy has developed a relatively thick skin when it comes to making end of life decisions.

But that doesn't always make it easy.

What to listen for

• Amy's inspiration for Starlight Outreach and Rescue
• The factors Amy considers before euthanizing a rescue animal
• The importance of making humane decisions for each animal
• The emotional impact of running a rescue and sanctuary
• How Amy strives to educate pet guardians about their responsibilities

Where to find Amy and Starlight Outreach

Starlight Outreach and Rescue

Starlight Pet Talk podcast

Starlight Pet Talk's Instagram

As a professional writer of 30-some years, words and phrases carry a lot of meaning for me. When I see one I don't know, I rush to look it up. Find out more about what it means, how it should be used.

My husband and I have an unending squabble. I say "six of one, half a dozen of another," while he claims to should be "six to one, half a dozen to another." Same difference, I say, but he insists on correcting me whenever I say my version.

(Feel free to let me know in the comments which one you think it is.)

In any case, I've been over the last year or so really wondering what the terms "soul dog" and "heart dog" mean. I knew Shep was my soulmate from that one very special moment we shared in the Rocky Mountains when he changed my life.

I called him my heart dog.

Then Bella came along and after nine years of being together I feel my heart growing bigger and bigger every time I look at her.

Is she my heart dog now? What happens to Shep?

Then I heard the term "soul dog," and I thought, "Well, maybe Shep is my soul dog and Bella is my heart dog."

But what happens when Bella is gone? Do I get a catchy new phrase for the next love of my life? Do we get to have two soul dogs or three heart dogs?

And what the hell does "soul dog" and "heart dog" mean anyway?

And … here's the big one … are we doing a disservice to our past loves and our future loves by latching onto these terms?

I knew precisely whom I needed to help me answer these questions: my friend and mentor, Coleen Ellis, founder of Two Hearts Pet Loss Center, which helps pet care-related professionals better support their clients in grief, and our guest on Episode 10, The Art of Making Memories.

What to Listen For

5:51 How many heart dogs can you have?

11:27 The power of reframing your thoughts

14:23 Guilt and grief often walk through the door together

22:34 Planning for the end gives us time to say "how can I make it perfect?"

31:40 We each have our own way of defining "heart dog"

Find Coleen

Two Hearts Pet Loss Center

Coleen Rocks

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

Twitter

The founder of One Last Network, Angela Schneider of Big White Dog Photography in Spokane, WA, fills you in on her inspiration behind our podcast, Shep, the rescue Maremma sheepdog who completely turned her world upside down. She also talks about the purpose of One Last Network: connecting pet guardians to the support and services they may need as their furbabies age and ultimately cross the Rainbow Bridge. 

Hand2Paw is a nonprofit that connects homeless youth with meaningful employment opportunities in animal shelters. In this week's episode, we chat with Penny Ellison, Hand2Paw’s leader and passionate animal advocate, about how this innovative program is changing lives and creating a brighter future for young people facing homelessness.

Penny shares her journey from a corporate law career to dedicating her life to animal advocacy, highlighting how her experiences shaped the mission of Hand2Paw. Learn how the organization provides essential job training and support to homeless youth while promoting the well-being of animals in shelters. Discover the transformative power of compassion and connection, and how caring for animals can foster personal growth, responsibility, and a sense of purpose.

We also discuss the challenges and successes of working with at-risk youth, the importance of community involvement, and how listeners can get involved to make a difference. Tune in to hear how Penny's vision is not just about saving animals, but about empowering youth to rise above their circumstances and build a brighter future.

Where to find Hand2Paw

Hand2Paw.org

Facebook

Instagram

Acupuncture is a practice originating from traditional Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body to stimulate natural healing processes.

I had it done on my right hand when I was healing from a broken Bennet's joint and on my shoulder when I was healing from a torn rotator cuff -- both epically stupid softball injuries.

I also had it done on Shep in Calgary when we couldn't get in to see his chiropractor.

That was in 2011 or 12. Over the last 20  years, acupuncture has picked up steam as a valuable therapeutic option for pets, especially senior cats and dogs. It helps with pain management, stress and anxiety reduction, mobility and flexibility and support for organ function. It has even been shown to improve weak immune systems.

Today, Lynn Sehnert of Lance and Lili Pet Photography in Loudon County, Virginia, whose story you heard last week, interviews the veterinarian who helps manage her two dogs' health and anxiety.

Dr. Kathleen Phillips owns the Franklin Farm Veterinary Clinic in Herndon, Virginia. She is originally from Buffalo, New York, and is the unfortunate fan of the NHL Sabres and the NFL Bills … as we say in the sports world, always a bridesmaid, never a bride.

Anyhow … Dr. Phillips shares with us how acupuncture works and how she has seen vast improvements in the health and quality of life of several patients.

There are dogs -- Belgian Malinois, German shepherds, pointers, retrievers -- who are shipped overseas to work in several different capacities.

Many of them are bite trained.

They live in kennels, their social interactions limited to what they gain from their handlers.

Then they lose their drive to work. They don’t get to punch the clock at 65 and say, "Yo, bro, I'm out. I'm going home to get my Social Security check."

They just have to lose their will to do the job.

Then they often get discarded. Much like a football or hockey player who blows his knee and can't play anymore.

Bob Bryant is the chief technology officer at Mission K9 Rescue, an animal welfare group that is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming these working dogs.

Today, Bob and I have a lively discussion about helping these dogs, how quickly they're willing to become couch potatoes and why you might want to adopt one of these dogs.

Since 2013, Mission K9 Rescue has helped working dogs find a comfortable, peaceful retirement.

I think you know by now that I believe every dog deserves the love of a good human and these retired working dogs, in particular, have given their lives to service.

They deserve all the scritches, snuggles and bacon.

Of course, bacon.

What to listen for

2:00 Mission K9's mission

7:23 When working dogs retire

14:01 Adopting a retired working dog

23:15 How this work has been life-changing for Bob

26:21 How to adopt a retired working dog

Where to find Mission K9 Rescue

MissionK9Rescue.org

Donate to Mission K9 Rescue

Facebook

Instagram

We spend a lot of time talking about the grief we experience as pet guardians whose companion animals have grown old or become terminally ill.

There are other types of loss and grief, though, that pet guardians can experience.

Many carry with them elevated levels of trauma -- sudden death, runaways, theft, loss of custody due to the end of a relationship -- and I would love to interview someone on those very subjects.

Today, though, we’re talking about behavioral issues in our companion animals, especially dogs, and the way we manage and treat reactivity or aggression.

Dr. Kyle Bohland of the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center joins me to talk about his work in behavioral studies and the intricacies around behavioral euthanasia.

Dr. Bohland was born and raised in Fremont, Ohio, and completed his undergraduate degree in economics at the University of Akron. After graduation, he earned his master's in science in agricultural, environmental and development economics from Ohio State University.

Along the way, he realized veterinary medicine was his true calling, a career he'd dreamed of since childhood. He graduated from the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018 and worked in general practice doing preventive medicine, general medicine, urgent care, surgery and dentistry.

All the while, he was working on his residency program in behavioral medicine at OSU and then joined the faculty full time.

His topics of interest lie in end of life care, pain management and the behavior of shelter-housed animals. He lives in Columbus, Ohio, with his wife, 6-year-old child, four senior dogs, one cat and a few fish.

What to listen for

2:42 Early socialization and its impact on dog behavior

8:29 The positive and negative impacts COVID-19 has had on dog behavior

13:27 Trauma and reactivity in shelter dogs

21:55 How the unregulated dog training industry affects dog behavior

Do you end up with a wooly ball of anxiety every time you have to go to the vet? I do. In fact, we've been having to go to a lot of appointments lately as arthritis has set in with the knee Bella had TPLO surgery on last year. Now … we adore our general practice vet here in Spokane Valley but if Latah Creek Animal Hospital was a little bit closer, I would be seriously considering a switch. Based right here in my town, Spokane, Washington, Latah Creek is a fear-free clinic. I've been following their Instagram account for a while and I just love the energy that comes out in their posts: informative, educational, kind … I reached out for a chance to interview the top dogs there and clinic owners Jessica Osborne and Dr. Megan Bauer couldn't wait to share the good word of fear-free veterinary practices. We talk about this innovative approach to reduce stress and anxiety for pets during vet visits and how Jessica and Dr. Megan create a calm environment for both stressed-out animal and stressed-out human guardian.

Where to find Latah Creek Animal Hospital

LatahCreekAH.com

Instagram

Facebook

Welcome to One Last Network and The Art of Finding the Love We Deserve.

Julie Schurr has been a member of the LGBTQ2S+ community for more than 25 years. She has served the queer community in a number of ways, including educator, entertainer and advocate.

An expat American living in Spain, Julie seeks to continue uplifting her chosen family through mindset and growth coaching, with a focus on grief. Along with her certification in coaching, she is accredited in cognitive behavioral therapy and rational emotive behavioral therapy. She also holds a master's in linguistics.

The queer community is drastically underserved in so many ways. Its members face experiences that those who identify as nonqueer will never understand. Those experiences -- often coupled with profound loss -- can bring stress, grief and lack of focus.

Julie wants to help her community overcome those feelings and remind her family members that they have the strength to do so.

I reached out to Julie because I have so many friends in the queer community, friends who have endured loss … friends who have endured the loss of pets.

And I know from my own perspective how isolating grief and loss can be but I wanted us to better understand the loneliness and isolation that our queer brothers and sisters experience when they say goodbye to their best fur friend.

Have a listen.

What to listen for

6:36 How Julie fought for LGBTQ2S+ students as a teacher

11:48 The microaggressions and discrimination Julie faces daily

24:03 When Julie met Avery, the love she deserves

34:07 How the love of pets can fill the void of loss

47:10 How health care practitioners and allies can do better

Where to find Julie

Coach Julie Schurr

LinkedIn

Instagram

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I know you know what I'm talking about when I say sometimes our veterinarians aren't the best communicators.

Hell's bells, Dani McVety told us as much on the podcast last fall. They're introverts. They'd rather be dealing with our animals, not us.

So sometimes they tell us a lot of words that go in one ear and out the other. Or we run home and start Googling, doing our best to remember the words and take our best shot at spelling them.

Enter Tyler Sugerman.

An emergency vet in Tacoma, Washington, Tyler bridges the gap between vet jargon and pet guardians on his podcast Vetsplanation.

With a goal to help pet guardians keep their animals happy, healthy and safe, Tyler breaks the science of vet care down into simple, understandable terms.

Today, he shares that journey with us.

Where to Find Tyler

Vetsplanation website

YouTube

Facebook

Instagram

Rev. Jennifer Cormier is a grief coach and earth-based ceremonial artist who brings 20 years of experience in the healing arts to help her clients move through life transitions and grief. 

She is committed to the revolution of how we view death and walk with grief. The creator of a program called Walk Through Grief with Grace, she wants us all to shift our perspective to include our body in our grieving processes and see grief as a creative collaborator in our lives. 

That's when we open the door to healing and peace. 

Jenn joins me today to discuss grief and grace and how we can use creative writing, nature, movement and more to release the pain of grief and bring us closer to healing.  

What to listen for 

1:44 Jenn's personal journey with grief and her dad's cancer 

13:46 The difference between running away and questing 

17:36 Finding comfort in movement and activity 

22:25 Jenn's emotional attachment to a car 

27:50 How to allow grief to move through the body and mind 

31:55 Why creative expression can facilitate healing from grief and loss 

Where to find Jenn 

Walk Through Grief with Grace 

The WTGWG podcast on Spotify 

The WTGWG podcast on Apple 

Grief and Grace Facebook Group 

Fall Healing Retreat: A Sacred Journey to Reclaim Joy After Loss, Nov. 12-18, in Teotihuacan, Mexico 

Don't forget 

Get $10 off your first 12 months of Help Texts

Welcome to One Last Network and The Art of Joy and Pain.

One Last Network has a mission to provide you with the support and services you may need as your pets enter their twilight years and ultimately leave our physical world.  

We are all pet photographers, and we are one of the services we encourage you to find so that you create beautiful, everlasting memories of the love you have for your best fur friend.

Many of us, too, have become educated in what grief means and how we can best support you as you walk a path with your pet which can be overwhelming, confusing and emotional.

I became a pet loss grief companion through Two Hearts Pet Loss Center and a grief educator through David Kessler and Grief.com so I could teach my fellow pet photographers to do just that.

We have a profound appreciation for the love you have for your pets. Many of us have loved and lost.

And we can play a unique role in your support system as you're taking these last adventures with your beloved pet. We can be your shoulder to cry on when it feels like you have no one else in your life to understand.  

At your photo shoot, too, we know how to strike a balance between all the things you're feeling -- the sorrow, the pain, the confusion -- and how to celebrate the life of your pet and the deep bond you've created with that being. 

That's what we're talking about today. That delicate balance.  

I've gathered some of the photographers of One Last Network -- and many of them are now pet loss grief specialists -- together to chat about how we approach our end of life photography sessions so that you have beautiful artwork and images and support in your grief.

You will hear from:

Kylee Doyle of Kylee Doyle Photography in Sacramento, California

Courtney Bryson of CM Bryson Photography in Atlanta, Georgia

Jessica Wasik of Bark and Gold Photography in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Chris Miller of MIL Pet Photography in Berkshire, United Kingdom

Jenn Wilson of Jenn Wilson Pet Portraiture in Kitchener, Ontario

Nicole Hrustyk of Pawtraits by Nicole in Las Vegas, Nevada

Darlene Woodward of Pant the Town Photography in Georgetown, Massachusetts

Lynn Sehnert of Lance and Lili Photography in Loudon County, Virginia

and our newest pet loss grief specialist …

Lisa Peterson of Pawsh Photos in Minneapolis, Minnesota

What to listen for

3:55 Jessica and Chris discuss how their businesses have changed since learning about grief

6:58 Kylee has become a more active listener to support her clients

11:28 Courtney strives to find that balance between joy and pain at her sessions

30:39 Nicole adjusts her sessions depending on the dog's mobility

35:54 Lynn gives her clients space to be who they are in the moment

Spray-dried plasma is the new kid on the scene of pet health supplements.

What is it?

It's a powder formed by exposing the liquid part of blood to high heat. The process preserves the bioactive components of plasma that offering numerous benefits for our companion animals, from joint health to immune function.

And it's the key active ingredient in WinProPet products.

Tim Mitchum, president and CEO of WinProPet, joins us this week to break it all down for us.

When his own chihuahua stopped jumping onto the couch for cuddles, he tried WinProPet's hip and joint chews and became inspired by Roxy's transformation. That's when he joined the company, bringing his business acumen and deep love of dogs to the table.

Tim shares his expertise on the benefits of supplements for our pets and the testimonials that undergird his belief in the product.

And if you're a cat person, fear not! WinProPet just launched its line of feline-dedicated products.

If you'd like to give WinProPet supplements a try with your pet, go to WinProPet.com and type ONE20 in the discount code box on the checkout page for 20% off a one-time purchase or your first order of a subscription.

What to listen for

5:46 How plasma is the "natural enemy" of inflammation

9:02 Scientists discover its spray-dried form reduced mortality rate from 20% to 1% in piglets

17:21 Spray-dried plasma can improve a cat's oral health

21:27 How to look for pet supplements that can help your cat or dog

Where to find WinProPet

WinProPet.com

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

Other questions you might have

Are WinProPet supplements suitable for all dog breeds?

While WinProPet supplements are generally well-tolerated by most dogs, individual preferences and health conditions may vary. It's recommended to consult with your veterinarian before introducing any new supplements to your pet's diet.

How long does it take to see results with WinProPet supplements?

Results may vary depending on factors such as the pet's age, health status, and the specific supplement being used. Some pet owners report seeing improvements within a few weeks, while others may require longer-term supplementation for noticeable benefits.

Are WinProPet supplements safe for long-term use?

Yes, WinProPet supplements are formulated with high-quality, natural ingredients and are designed for long-term use to support ongoing pet health and wellness. However, it's advisable to follow recommended dosage guidelines and monitor your pet's response over time.

Can WinProPet supplements be used alongside other medications or treatments?

WinProPet supplements are generally safe to use alongside other medications or treatments, but it's essential to consult with your veterinarian to ensure compatibility and avoid potential interactions.

Do WinProPet supplements require refrigeration?

WinProPet supplements are shelf-stable and do not require refrigeration. However, it's recommended to store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight for optimal freshness and efficacy.

Izzie was a French bulldog whom Victoria lifted up into the next realm in February 2021 after a protracted battle with pulmonary hypertension.

Izzie was the perfect mix of sweet and sass and resolved Victoria's fear of big dogs. They found love at first smooch.

When Izzie was diagnosed, Victoria and her husband did everything they could. They spared no expense to ensure Izzie fought her terrible diagnoses and that she was comfortable and happy.

After Izzie left Victoria's physical world, Victoria was left with the feeling she had to do something, anything.

She knew that she and her husband were fortunate to make the choices they made for Izzie while other families are left wondering what to do, thanks to the financial burden some veterinary care can bring.

Together, they started the Izzie Fund which helps keep those families from having to make difficult decisions like leaving their beloved pets at shelters and rescues or lifting them up because that may be their only affordable option.

Victoria shares that journey and what the Izzie Fund is all about today with Jessica Wasik of Bark & Gold Photography in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

What to Listen For

2:36 Izzie becomes Victoria's soulmate

5:17 Izzie's diagnosis with pulmonary hypertension

10:10 Victoria starts to manage her grief

16:38 Victoria embraces her grief

19:56 The Izzie Fund is born

Find the Izzie Fund

The Izzie Fund

Instagram

Facebook

Your host, Angela Schneider, brings together another roundtable of our member photographers.

While the podcast is designed to connect you with resources to support you as your pet ages and you face those last walks together, our website supports a directory to help you find a professional pet photographer in your area.

We had our first roundtable for Episode 7: The Art of End of Life Pet Photography, when several of us gathered to chat about why memorial sessions are such an important part of our businesses.

Today, we're discussing how we create memories for you, our listeners, our clients, the memories of our own pets that are so important to us, and how you can have beautiful artwork made with just your cellphone shots.

What to listen for

4:03 How we have created memorials for our own pets

14:53 Why it's important for pet lovers to have professional artwork

28:30 The love – not the devil – is in the details

40:03 What you can do if you haven't had a professional photo shoot

The photographers who joined us

Jessica Wasik of Bark & Gold Photography

Sharon Canovas of Sharon Canovas Photography

Kylee Doyle of Kylee Doyle Photography

Kirsten Hough of Wort & Flea Photography

Nancy Kieffer of Nancy Kieffer Photography

Lynn Sehnert of Lance & Lili Photography

Nicole Hrustyk of Pawtraits by Nicole

Angela Schneider of Big White Dog Photography

Darlene Woodward of Pant the Town Photography

Our guest today talks to animals.

And they talk back to her.

Nancy Mello learned early in her life that she was able to hear what animals are trying to tell us all. Their likes, their dislikes, their wants, their needs … and when they feel it's time to go.

Nancy reached out to be a guest on the podcast and share her abilities as an animal communicator and evidential medium. I told her in full disclosure that I'm a skeptic, that I may not fully believe what she does is real.

She said that was OK, that she relished the challenge.

Nancy connects with her clients over the phone or on Zoom, so she's able to help and comfort pet parents all over the world. Her readings range from 15 minutes to two hours and, like our friend Laurie Blomer who was featured in Episode 4: The Art of Seeing into a Photo, she uses a photo to hear the animal talk.

Nancy's been featured in the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Tribune, Cosmopolitan UK and Dogster magazine. Since 2020, she has worked with almost a thousand animals and helped owners find dozens of lost pets. She also helps rescues understand what kind of family an animal in shelter may need to thrive in its furever home.

She has a special passion for end of life sessions, in which she talks to animals about how they want their last days to look.

Nancy and I have a lively discussion about her abilities, how they work and what it all means to her.

What to listen for

4:56 What are the most common things animals talk about?

10:30 How the world reacted to Nancy's abilities

20:07 What is faith? What does it mean?

26:31 Working with rescues to find the right home for animals

41:12 How learning to communicate with animals creates a better world for every species

50:31 Nancy's one piece of advice

Find Nancy

NancyMello.com

TikTok

Facebook

Instagram

Pinterest

YouTube

Dennis Wormald loves to find creative ways to educate dog owners on the misconceptions of dog behavior.

Based in Melbourne, Australia, Dennis has a Ph.D. in veterinary medicine, focused on canine anxiety. As a vet, he exclusively treats dogs with mental health conditions and come to him with a wide range of behavior issues, such as aggression or separation anxiety.

He recently published his first book titled "A Dedication to Difficult Dogs," which gives a fresh perspective on canine mental health, covering common misconceptions of dog behavior, punishment versus training, and ownership vs. guardianship of dogs.

I reached out to Dennis to talk about the mental health conditions that can become present in our dogs as they age, wanting to learn more about cognitive decline and how we as pet guardians can allow our dogs to age gracefully.

What to listen for

3:25 How Dennis defines "reactivity" in dogs

6:45 Why a dog's first few vet visits can affect the rest of her life

18:13 How to identify cognitive decline and other medical conditions

24:06 The importance of consistently interacting with your dog

31:25 Treatment options for dogs with cognitive decline

36:16 Changes you can make in your home to help your senior dog

Where to find Dennis

A Dedication to Difficult Dogs

ABADog

Twitter

ABAdog on YouTube

ABAdog on Facebook

Resources mentioned

Senior Canine Cognitive Assessment by Purina

If there's one topic that sets my heart soaring, it's adventure.

Both of my dogs, Shep and Bella, have helped me realize the art of the adventurous life and my work at Big White Dog Photography is a tribute to every step I've taken with them.

To see dogs exploring the great outdoors is to see their most core instincts at play, to see them sniff and watch and claim their territory with their pee is to see thousands of years of coded behavior at work.

Our guest today, Britt Kascjak (KAZ-YAK), is a 30-something pet mum to three dogs -- Daviana, Indiana, Lucifer – and two cats, Pippen and Jinx.

She works from home as a digital marketer, freelance writer and professional blogger. She's the director of content and SEO at BlogPaws, an organization I follow as a dog blogger, and she runs two revenue-generating blogs, Shed Happens, a space for pet parents of rescues, and The Kas Pack, a diary of the adventures she takes with her husband John and their pack.

The Kas Pack struck me as a great reason to chat with Britt, because both Daviana and Indiana are in their senior years so I hoped to pick Britt's brain about how our adventures have to change as our dogs approach their golden years.

What to listen for

4:48 Time to meet Britt's pack

14:21 How Britt's adventures have changed with her senior dogs
18:10 Britt's favorite adventure with Daviana

25:46 Rating Ontario's provincial parks for dog-friendliness

32:10 Beer … because, well, beer

Where to find Britt

BrittKascjak.com

Shed Happens

Shed Happens on Instagram

TheKasPack.com

The Kas Pack on Instagram

The Kas Pack on YouTube

Nancy Kieffer of Nancy Kieffer Photography in Syracuse, New York, interviews Linda Colletti of the Pet Loss Resource Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

Linda recently took the reins of the Pet Loss Resource Center, after acting as the director of support services for several years. She launched her grief career in the late '80s after experiencing the loss of several pregnancies.

She chose to live her life in grief, becoming a grief counselor and working for Hospice Care Inc. for 21 years, facilitating support groups, individual counseling and other presentations.

She has authored 101 Rainbow Ribbons: Helping Children Understand Basic Concepts of Dying and Death and she now dedicates her life to guiding pet guardians on their grief journeys.

At the Pet Loss Resource Center, she provides a safe place for pet parents to express their grief over the tremendous loss they endure after their pets have been lifted up.

She holds a Bachelor's of Science in individualized grief counseling and social work and she has completed course study at American Pet Loss and Bereavement.

The Pet Loss Resource Center, founded in 2009 by Mark Meinholz, provides free support to the pet loving community. It is dedicated to providing pet parents with supportive resources as they face the hardest part of loving a companion animal -- the last goodbye.

What to Listen For

6:08 Why pet parents may have a bigger need for grief support

8:18 The pets that stole Linda's heart

13:36 Why anticipatory grief can be part of our healing

22:00 How guilt shows up for almost every one of Linda's clients

Where to Find Linda

Pet Loss Resource Center

Instagram

Facebook Support Group

LinkedIn

Facing the holidays while grieving the loss of your pet can be an emotionally challenging experience.

Our companion animals hold a special place in our hearts, serving as best friends, the most important member of our support network and a huge source of unconditional love.

During the holiday season, traditions and celebrations may trigger memories of shared moments with our pets, intensifying the sense of loss.

Their absence can create a profound void, making it difficult to fully engage in festive activities. The holiday spirit, typically associated with joy and togetherness, can feel tinged with sadness.

The holidays can also amplify feelings of loneliness and isolation. The companionship and comfort our pets provide are irreplaceable, and the void left by their absence can be acutely felt during a time when the emphasis is on connection and togetherness.

We're releasing this episode a couple of days early in case you need to hear it on Thanksgiving morning.

Our host and pet loss grief educator Angela Schneider shares 10 strategies you might want to try to get survive these next few weeks.

What to listen for

00:43 Angela's struggles with the holidays
3:13 10 strategies for coping with the holidays
5:11 Where to look for support
7:53 Why it's OK to cry during the holidays

Your discount codes

Dr. Buzby's Tip-to-Tail Health Scan: Use code ONELAST

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Julie Gass of MSPCA-Angell in Boston is a veterinary social worker, who started her career in human medicine, working with serious illness and grief. She provided end of life and bereavement support to patients and their families at Mount Auburn Hospital but then turned to end of life care for pets and their families.

She's combined her love of animals and her passion for helping people to heal from loss and trauma.

With Darlene, Julie sheds light on the crucial yet often overlooked field of pet hospice care. With deep empathy and compassion, Julie helps pet owners navigate the painful process of saying goodbye to their beloved animal companions.

And through her insights and experiences, she illuminates the profound bond between humans and their pets and the importance of providing support during the final stages of a pet's life.

Julie breaks down the emotional challenges faced by pet owners as they prepare to say goodbye and emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and validating the grief experienced by these individuals.

All while guiding these humans to make one of the hardest decisions we have to make as pet parents.

Find Julie and MSCPA

MSCPA-Angell

Instagram

Facebook

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, your pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water, and sunshine, and friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and strength, those who were hurt are made better and strong again, like we remember them before they go to heaven. They are happy and content except for one small thing—they each miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are shining, his body shakes. Suddenly he begins to run from the herd, rushing over the grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cuddle in a happy hug never to be apart again. You and your pet are in tears. Your hands again cuddle his head and you look again into his trusting eyes, so long gone from life, but never absent from your heart, and then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.

The Rainbow Bridge has long been a comfort to many whose pets have gone onto the next world.

The Facebook photos that get shared whenever someone posts about their loss usually list the author as "unknown." It was recently discovered, though, that it was written by a Scottish artist and animal lover, Edna Clyne-Rekhy.

She was 19 at the time -- more than 60 years ago -- and grieving the loss of her Labrador retriever, Major. Her mother suggested she write how she was feeling.

She showed it to friends. They wanted their own copies. It got passed around. It got changed over time.

Sixty years later, the sentiment remains the same. Our pets are waiting in some supernatural field of flowers and rainbows.

Waiting for us.

And many who are raised to belief in an afterlife find the words soothing, a promise that we'll see our beloved fur friends again.

Others find it off-putting. What if there's no afterlife? Why does my dog have to just sit there and wait for me until I die? What if … how does … and why …

As a recovering Catholic and an atheist, I wanted to dig deeper into this. Is the Rainbow Bridge the right piece of prose to share to someone whose pet just died? Is it meaningful, hurtful or an empty gesture like "thoughts and prayers"?

I put my friend Beth Bigler, a pet loss grief counsellor and the mastermind behind @honoringouranimals, on the hot seat.

What to listen for

4:46 Why we must be inclusive with beliefs in pet loss grief

12:39 How we maintain our connection after our pets have died

16:02 The confusion Beth experienced after Arne died

22:25 Why we must mirror a griever's language to provide support

27:30 How we can show up for people experiencing pet loss grief

36:59 Coping with the uncertainty of death, loss and grief

Her first spoken word was "cat."

Even before she said "mama" and "dada."

And the cat didn't even like her.

Today's guest is Tracy Munson, my good friend from lower shebobia New Brunswick. Lower shebobia … ha … it's technically Hillsborough, New Brunswick, a small community about a half hour south of Moncton and right on the Petitcodiac River.

About a three-hour drive from the little town in Nova Scotia where I grew up.

But she's not from there. She's a Toronto girl, from the Big Smoke, where she plied her trade as a veterinary technician.

The work got to her, though.

Being in veterinary medicine is hard. It may be the only industry we know where it is a responsibility to end life.

Tracy recognized she was in burnout mode and started planning her escape … to becoming a pet photographer. She's now a recognized leader in Canadian pet photography and an award winner in both pet photography and landscape photography.

Today, we have a discussion about careers in vet medicine and the trials and tribulations that lie within.

What to listen for

5:23 Vicarious trauma and its impact on animal shelter workers

11:53 The emotional toll of euthanizing sick and injured animals

17:53 How support in the field is improving for animal shelter workers

28:28 Compounding trauma with the grief from her own loss

40:00 How the COVID-19 pandemic took its toll

41:50 Why prioritizing your exit plan can make all the difference

Resources mentioned

Dr. Faith Banks on TikTok

Compassion Fatigue in Animal Shelter/Rescue Workers

Practice Compassionate Badassery with Jessica Dolce

The Art of Being Kind to Your Vet

We've spent a lot of time on this podcast talking about grief over the loss of our beloved companion animals.

Much of the content has revolved around anticipatory grief and the loss of a pet due to a terminal illness or old age.

But there are many more types of loss pet guardians can face.

Runaways.

Accidents.

Surrenders.

Custody battles.

Behavioral euthanasia.

And they all carry with them trauma and nuanced, complex emotions.

My dear friend Coleen Ellis of Two Hearts Pet Loss Center joins me to unravel those emotions and how guilt and grief intertwine.

Where to Find Coleen

Two Hearts Pet Loss Center

Facebook

Instagram

The business of pet photography draws many people who have experienced loss, the kind of loss that leaves a hole that often feels like it can never be filled.

We may come from other genres of photography, landscape or wedding and family portraiture. We look at our cameras and know it's the tool that gave us so many great images of our own dogs.

But we never turned the cameras on ourselves.

We never got the great portraits of us and our dogs together.

Then they were gone. Our best fur friends posed for our cameras no more. And we were left with silly selfies, digital dust in the bottomless ocean of our social media feeds.

And then we decide to change that for other people. We make a conscious decision to ensure humans have amazing portraits of themselves with their best fur friends.

Printed on their walls or in beautiful photo albums.

My guest today, Nancy Kieffer, is no different.

When her Midnight died of lymphoma at 4, she realized there was more than landscapes that she had to do with her camera.

She started volunteering for rescues in Syracuse, New York, and then Nancy Kieffer Photography was born.

She shares that journey with us today.

What to Listen For

4:58 The event that kept Nancy from being a veterinarian

9:05 Midnight's devastating diagnosis

10:39 The guilt Nancy felt from thinking she didn't do enough

13:45 Finding comfort and laughter in Midnight's memories

19:42 Becoming a pet loss grief specialist with One Last Network

24:20 How Nancy brings meaning to her work

Where to Find Nancy

Nancy Kieffer Photography

Instagram

Many dogs come to Dr. Masami Seplow after injury or when age is starting to attack their old bones and muscles.

She gets them walking again.

Dr. Seplow was born and raised in Japan where she earned her bachelor's degree in sociology and then moved to Miami, Florida, where she was working on her master's in Hospitality Management.

Then she heard the call of the wild.

Or rather the howl of a dog. Maybe the mew of a kitten.

She decided to be a veterinarian before receiving her degree. She turned her attention and got her degree as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine.

While working as a general practitioner at a 24-hour hospital, Dr. Seplow decided to become certified in acupuncture and Chinese medicine, which she has been practicing for more than 15 years. She received another certification in canine rehabilitation in 2015.

She is particularly interested in geriatric medicine and food therapy, in addition to rehab and Chinese medicine, because all of these modalities are positive and gentle.

Dr. Seplow describes herself as the Crazy Chihuahua Lady. She has rescued five: Ellie, Lucas, Romeo, Juliet and Millie.

This week, Kylee Doyle of Kylee Doyle Photography in Sacramento interviews Dr. Seplow about rehab, Chinese medicine and her work at the Sierra Ranch Veterinary Clinic and Pet Rehabilitation Center in Roseville, California.

What to listen for

4:14 When it's time to see a rehab vet like Dr. Seplow

7:14 Get the most out of your dog's rehab plan

13:24 Acupuncture can benefit your dog's recovery

18:26 Why you should always be touching your pet

20:44 How to check for changes in your dog's physical condition

Resources

Sierra Ranch Veterinary Clinic and Pet Rehabilitation Center

Instagram: @sierraranchpetrehab

Kylee Doyle Photography

A few weeks ago, I drove out to the northwest side of Spokane, so far northwest I was at the tip of the beautiful Riverside State Park.

I met with Kit and Pete Jagoda, the founders of River's Wish Animal Sanctuary. River's Wish saves animal lives through rescue, education and advocacy. Kit and Pete strive to treat animals as individuals and to express their wonder and plight through visual art forms, from painting to jewelry-making.

The sanctuary is named for River, a dog who inspired Kit and Pete to do more for animals. River left their physical world in 1999 but he left an indelible stamp on their hearts, moving them to dream for a world in which every creature is able to live a full and joyful life.

Kit and I have a terrific discussion about the motivation she found in her grief for River, the constant state of anticipatory grief in which she exists, and why we must learn to see each animal's spirit and personality.

What to listen for

2:18 The year Kit's eyes were opened to animal care

6:34 How a rescue dog became the center of her life

14:58 The devastation of losing River to cancer

25:28 How Kit lives in a state of anticipatory grief

33:19 Why we must see animals as individuals

Where to find River's Wish

River's Wish Animal Sanctuary

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

How to help

Find more information on how to help Kit and Pete pursue their mission to give all animals a safe haven. You can donate, sponsor individual residents, bequeath your estate in your will or, if you're in the Spokane area, volunteer.

The Dog Aging Project is a groundbreaking initiative that seeks to unravel the mysteries of aging in dogs and, by extension, gain insights into the aging process in humans. Launched in 2018, this collaborative effort involves researchers from various institutions, including the University of Washington School of Medicine and Texas A&M University. The project is designed to be the most extensive study of canine aging, with the aim of improving the health and well-being of both dogs and humans.

At the heart of the Dog Aging Project is a longitudinal study that follows the lives of thousands of dogs over several years. By collecting comprehensive data on various aspects of a dog's life, including genetics, lifestyle and environment, researchers hope to identify factors that contribute to longevity and healthy aging. The ultimate goal is to develop interventions and treatments that can enhance the quality of life for both aging dogs and aging humans.

One key aspect of the project is the inclusion of citizen scientists—dog owners who actively participate by providing information about their pets. This crowdsourced approach not only facilitates data collection on a massive scale but also fosters a sense of community among dog owners who share a common interest in understanding and improving the aging process for their furry companions.

Dr. Kate Illing, one of the research veterinarians with the project—and who hails from my favorite city in the whole wide world, Calgary, Alberta—joins us today to chat about the Dog Aging Project and in particular the research she's doing on rapamycin.

What to Listen For

4:24 Kate's journey from engineering to veterinary medicine

7:51 The mission behind the Dog Aging Project

15:06 Kate's research into anti-aging drug rapamyacin

19:01 Who can enroll in the Dog Aging Project

Sign Up for the Dog Aging Project

Enroll Your Dog

Find DAP on Instagram

Crates can be … ah … not the most attractive piece of furniture in your home.

But some people find them quite useful in training and containing their dogs. So why not have a crate that becomes a part of your décor?

That's where Danny Nathan comes in.

He's the founder and CEO of Apollo 21, a company that sits at the intersection of a business consultancy, a product design studio and a venture studio.

Essentially, he designs cool shit.

Like a sleep platform to overland in his SUV.

And more recently, dog crates.

But you don't just buy the crate. Oh no, my friends. Danny designs cool shit then creates design manuals so you can do it yourself.

I think it sounds like fun, and Danny fills us in on the how and why in this episode.

Where to find Stay. Good Dog crates

StayGoodDog.com

Instagram

The name of today's episode, The Art of the Human-Animal Connection, comes from the book written by and the organization led by my guest today, Genie Joseph.

Genie is a Ph.D., certified in the Trust Technique practice and the creator of the Act Resilient method, which combines drama and improv comedy to help lower stress and improve mental health in military personnel and their families.

President Barack Obama presented her with the Silver Volunteer Service award for this work.

Genie believes resilience can be learned, not just in humans but also in animals who have experienced trauma. She has rescued two badly abused dogs -- Oscar and Sophia -- and turned them into therapy dogs.

She has over 2,000 hours of volunteer work in animal shelters, rescue centers, and sanctuaries.  She does private consultations, conducts workshops and classes, and speaks to groups on communication, healing, and the human-animal connection.

Her recently released book, The Human-Animal Connection, explores that deep emotional bond we build with our companion animals.

The book is divided into three parts: How to Be a Better Human For Your Animal, What Animals Can Teach Us About Being a Happier Human and The Spiritual Connection: How Humans Can Be of Service to Animals.

Each part features a series of principles that teach us how our animals are trying to communicate with us and how we can open ourselves up to listen to them.

Today, Genie and I talk about her work, the book and the ways we as pet guardians can be better humans for their comfort, happiness and health … which leads to us doing better for our own comfort, happiness and health.

What to Listen For

4:02 How an abused dog helped soldiers manage their PTSD

11:32 Getting an animal to trust

14:59 How animals use their senses to overcome trauma

20:30 Learning to communicate better with our pets

26:10 A horse teaches Genie to find her higher self

38:11 How learning to communicate with our animals can bring us comfort after they're gone

Where to Find Genie

The Human-Animal Connection

The Human-Animal Connection on Amazon

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Twitter

Welcome to One Last Network and The Art of Shuffling the Deck.  

Erica Messer encountered tragedy in 2020. Just months after finding her soul cat, Wolfgang, he had an accident and left her physical world.  

Her grief was overwhelming, especially since it was complicated with mental health issues. 

Wolfgang's death broke her in many ways. 

But like kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing ceramics with gold, she put herself back together and found her way down a new path, helping others see light through the darkness of their grief. 

In her own grief, she went searching for something simple that would help her focus on her healing.  

She found nothing suitable. 

In consultation with her mum, Bonnie, Erica put her whole heart in developing Wolfie's Wish, her own simple product, a deck of pet loss grieving cards. Each card carries a message, an instruction, an affirmation for dealing specifically with pet loss and the grief that accompanies it. 

The cards were first runner-up in the Accessories and Gifts category for the Best New Product awards at Superzoo, a large pet industry trade show, in 2022. 

The cards are just the beginning of the empire Erica wants to build as she steps forward into this new life of pet loss grief and being of service to pet guardians around the world.  

What to listen for 

4:06 Why Erica sought professional help for her own grief 

12:20 Erica's mission to help others in their grief 

21:25 Learning to talk to people in a more empathetic way 

32:01 How Erica finds new ways to support people in grief 

37:29 How to give someone grieving space to feel 

Where to find Erica 

Wolfie's Wish 

Instagram 

Facebook: Wolfie's Wish Pet Loss Support Group 

YouTube 

Other resources mentioned in this episode 

David Kessler's Healing Grief Card Deck 

You may have heard of animal chaplains.

They are spiritual caregivers who provide support and comfort to individuals who are grieving the loss of a beloved companion animal or who are facing difficult decisions related to their pets' health and wellbeing.

And then there's Scott Campbell, veterinary chaplain.

Veterinary chaplains are rare in the United States. Scott is one of just a handful of these trained professionals who provide emotional and spiritual support to veterinary staff, in addition to pet guardians and the animals in veterinary settings.

There are even fewer of them affiliated with a university, and Scott practices his craft at Washington State University, just down the road from me in Pullman, Washington.

A veterinary chaplain's role may seem similar to that of a chaplain in human healthcare but individuals like Scott focus specifically on the unique challenges and emotional experiences within the veterinary medicine realm.

Scott joins me on the podcast today to share his journey into veterinary chaplaincy and his passion for supporting the emotional well-being of pets, pet guardians and the world-class team at WSU, affectionately known in these parts as WAZZU.

We talk about the challenges faced by the veterinary profession, including its high suicide rates, and how his own experiences are motivating him to establish the American Association for Veterinary Chaplains.

Have a listen as Scott shares how he aims to alleviate the emotional burdens of the veterinary community and foster healing for those of us who suffer as our companion animals need care.

What to listen for

• How Scott ensures WSU clients feel comfortable and heard
• Why a veterinary chaplain must be prepared to address a variety of belief structures
• The evolution of companion animals as family members in society
• What Scott finds more rewarding about veterinary chaplaincy

Scott hosts a series of events called Celebration of Life and Remembrance for our Animal Companions for pet guardians to grieve and honor the lives of their precious babes. The event will feature a Remembrance Garland Ceremony, during which participants write messages on ribbons and attach them to a garland that's hung outside the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at WSU in Pullman.

The next one is set for Saturday, April 13, at the Elson S. Floyd Cultural Center. It starts at 10:30 a.m., doors open at 10 a.m. and Scott suggests it's a good idea to arrive early to prepare a ribbon for the garland.

A social hour follows from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Many people have never heard the term "anticipatory grief" even though you've probably experienced it.

If you've had a family member fade in front of your eyes with cancer or another debilitating disease, you've experienced anticipatory grief. If you've watched your cat or pet slow down, struggle to rise to his feet and take his last walks toward the proverbial rainbow bridge, you've experienced anticipatory grief.

I didn't have a name for it until I started studying grief, so it's OK if you're unfamiliar with the term. Clinically speaking, it's the grief we experience in advance of a loss. It's often associated with the death of a loved one -- or pet -- who is terminally ill or facing a life-limiting illness.

It's different because the loss has yet to occur but the grief can be just as intense, if not more so, because there's an extended period of uncertainty, fear and anxiety. Our minds build up the stories around the impending death and we can be wracked with feelings of guilt, anger and sadness.

While we still have our loved one or pet right here in front of us.

Nancy Gordon wants to change the experience of anticipatory grief and shift our perception of dread to one of a gift.

To experience anticipatory grief, she says, is to see an opportunity to live more in the moment and enjoy every last moment possible with our loved one.

Nancy is a No. 1 international bestselling author, speaker and an expert in how to manage life-changing loss. A car accident upended everything about her life -- her practice in social work and her health. Today, she combines her personal experiences with fibromyalgia, a mild traumatic brain injury and loss -- loss of her both her parents and her two loves, Toaster and Pink -- to offer not only a clinical perspective on loss and grief but also a personal one.

I think, after listening to today's episode, you might start to see loss and anticipatory grief in a new light, too.

What to listen for

5:30 The emotional, mental and spiritual impact of chronic illness and disability

12:40 The healing power of Toaster

30:20 The cancer diagnosis that transformed Nancy's life

49:30 How anticipatory grief is different

56:00 Staying present with our pets in their last days

Find Nancy

Nancy Gordon Global

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

This week, I'm chatting with my good friend Stephanie Nilles of Pawsitive Connection Dog Training in Spokane, Washington.

I first met Stephanie two years ago when I wanted to spotlight local dogpreneurs on my Big White Dog Photography blog. She was just about to embark on a new branch to her business: hydrotherapy for dogs.

She has since completed construction of a hydrotherapy spa for dogs on her property and she's using the pool to help physically compromised dogs get some gentle water activity.

There's so much more to the story, though, including how one white boxer with degenerative myelopathy drives Stephanie's soul every day and what it's been like to carry on since Bam left our physical world.

Let's walk with Stephanie on her journey.

But maybe grab a pint of Ben & Jerry's.

Because ice cream.

Find Stephanie

Find Stephanie

Pawsitive Connection Dog Training and Hydrotherapy

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

I get so fired up when I connect with someone who wants to talk about the deeper meaning for dogs in our lives.

Like when I chat with a fellow believer that dogs teach us who we are and who we need to be.

It didn't take long before I was mesmerized with Saro Boghozian's words.

After becoming a certified dog trainer through The College of Canine Behavioral Science, Saro quickly recognized he also needed learn about human psychology so that he could help his two-legged clients understand the root causes of their dogs' behavior.

Together, we explore the profound impact dogs have on our personal growth and well-being.

Where to find Saro

Saro Dog Training

YouTube

Instagram

In a world that often feels fast-paced and impersonal, dealing with grief can be an isolating and challenging experience. Go back to episode 49, The Art of Exploring the Loneliness Within, to hear my thoughts on why that isolation becomes compounded when we lose our beloved pets.

When a companion animal leaves our physical world, our grief is profound and often misunderstood by people who haven't experienced such a bond, including those who may be closest to us.

Recognizing this need for specialized support, Help Texts -- an innovative SMS-based grief support service -- recently released a segment dedicated to help individuals like us manage our pain and sorrow.

Help Texts makes a significant impact in the realm of grief support, providing a confidential and accessible platform for us to find solace and guidance during such a difficult time. It uses the simplicity and ubiquity of text messaging to deliver timely and empathetic support to people like us who may be struggling to find inclusive support or an appropriate outlet for our grief.

The pet loss grief segment demonstrates the organization's commitment to addressing diverse forms to grief and fostering a compassionate and understanding community.

Melissa Lunardini, head of clinical at Help Texts, and Lianna Titcombe, a certified hospice and palliative care veterinarian out of Ottawa, Ontario, and one of Help Texts' expert contributors, join me today to fill us in on all the details.

What to listen for

4:48 The beginning and intention of Help Texts

10:07 How Help Texts tailors messages to grief stages

19:58 The importance of grief support, especially in anticipatory grief stages

22:39 Why pet loss grief must be normalized and validated

27:57 The differences between generations and cultures when grief strikes

40:08 How Help Texts is changing the way grief is perceived

Where to find Help Texts

Help Texts
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
TikTok

Other resources

Get $10 off your first 12 months of Help Texts

One day, Sheryl Green realized people-pleasing was getting her nowhere.

She had trouble saying no to friends and family, until she hit the old metaphorical brick wall.

That's when she discovered what a boundary is.

When Sheryl was growing up, she dreamed of becoming an FBI profiler and hunting down serial killers. A wicked cool job that would have been, if you ask me … I mean, I've seen almost every episode of Criminal Minds … at least until Shemar Moore left the show.

She earned a master's in forensic psychology until she realized she'd rather not spend her days inside the minds of criminals.

Her path took her instead to mental health, customer service, public relations, education and the nonprofit world, including animal rescue.

As a relationship expert, she has now authored six books, including "Surviving to Thriving: How to Overcome Setbacks and Rock Your Life," "A Pet Parent's Guide to First Aid and Prevention" and "You Had Me at No: How Setting Healthy Boundaries Helps You Banish Burnout, Repair Relationships and Save Your Sanity."

I brought Sheryl on to the podcast to talk about exactly that. Boundaries. Especially the boundaries we need to set and maintain when we're facing or healing from the loss of our best fur friends.

What to listen for

4:19 How others can be inappropriate with our grief

9:30 What boundaries are and why they matter

15:01 How to assert your boundaries

21:10 Why having a "boundary buddy" can help

35:04 How standing up for ourselves maintains our self-worth

Where to find Sheryl

Sheryl Green Speaks

You Had Me at No on Amazon

Sheryl's books on Amazon

Facebook

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You were my favorite hello and my hardest goodbye.

Every time I see that meme shared on Facebook, it pinches a corner of my heart.

The day we bring our puppies home is the day we start preparing to say goodbye. No, we don't live our lives like that. That would suck, wouldn't it? Constantly thinking about the day we have to say goodbye.

Instead, we revel in the in-between. The glorious time filled with adventure and snuggles and scritches and laughs and smooches.

And then comes the silence. The time after the day we say goodbye.

The sorrow. The pain. The grief.

You listen to this podcast because you are an animal lover, and when your beloved companion animal leaves your physical world, you feel lost. You desperately cling to the memories, cry into his pillow, stare at the leash hanging by the door.

I know. I did all that.

And you wonder … should I get another dog? How soon is too soon? How could I do that to the memory of my beautiful boy? How could I possibly replace him?

What you will hear on this episode is an informal conversation between two women who endured that conversation with themselves.

My good friend Darlene Woodward of Pant the Town Photography in Georgetown, Massachusetts, and I share our stories about bringing home a puppy after the loves of our lives had to leave us.

This is a subject of much debate. Some say wait, others say don't wait. And of course grief experts say we shouldn't make any life-changing decisions for six months to a year after an important loss.

Six months? Or nine days? Or four months?

Nine days is my story. Four months is mine. Have a listen.

Sometimes, it's our grandparents who make the most impact on personalities, our growth, our development.

Courtney Bryson spent childhood weekends on her grandparents' farm and developed a love for animals and photography because of her gramma and grampa.

Today, she is the mastermind behind CM Bryson Photography in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Rescue Ranch, a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing special needs Boston terriers.

She's also one of the founding members of One Last Network and a graduate of our pet loss grief certification program in which she learned how to be a better support for her clients who come to her for end of life pet photography.

Courtney has endured more than her fair share of loss since right before the pandemic, including her beloved horse Ginger and both of those amazing grandparents who helped her become who she is.

In this episode, Courtney and I talk about that grief journey and how it has made her a better photographer, allowing her to find the perfect in the imperfect.

What to listen for:

• How Courtney became a pet and equine photographer
• The special relationship she had with Ginger
• Why getting her own portraits with Ginger was so important
• Courtney's experience with loss and grief
• And how that all changed her approach to end of life pet photography

Connect with Courtney

cmbryson.com

Facebook

Instagram

The Rescue Ranch