Pet Loss, Part 2: Working Through the Grief & Guilt of Losing a Beloved Pet with Beth Bigler of Honoring Our Animals

For the 152nd episode of Private Parts Unknown, host Courtney Kocak welcomes Beth Bigler, pet loss grief counselor and founder of Honoring Our Animals, for part two in a three-part series on pet loss.

Have you ever lost a beloved pet? It’s the worst. Scientifically, it can be as hard to grieve a pet as a parent or a partner. I lost my beloved dog, Georgia, in early December, and it was so hard for me to process — that experience inspired this series. (If you missed part one with Cherie Doyen, listen here.)

One of the things that really helped me shortly after Georgia passed away was discovering an Instagram account, @honoringouranimals. I got so much reassurance and validation just from following the account, so I knew I wanted to interview its creator, Beth Bigler, for this series on pet loss. And she did not disappoint.

Beth is a double-certified pet loss grief counselor, certified end-of-life animal companion doula, and pet chaplain. She works with individuals and families before, during, and after the loss of their beloved animal companion. We had a super in-depth conversation. It was not a counseling session, but Beth is clearly really good at her job, and just talking to her for this interview helped me get over a big hump in my Georgia grief. I hope it helps you too. 

We discuss:

• What does pet loss counseling actually entail?
• The definition of disenfranchised grief
• Beth’s #1 euthanasia tip
• How to talk to your kids about pet loss
• How to know if you’re ready for a new pet
• The spiritual questions that death can bring up
• Navigating the lexicon of pet grief, including the Rainbow Bridge
• How to be a good ally to others experiencing pet loss
• How you can keep your deceased pet alive in your life

For more Beth Bigler:

• Follow Beth on Instagram @honoringouranimals
• Check out the Honoring Our Animals website honoringouranimals.com

(Pictured with Beth is her soul cat, Arnie.)

Psst, Courtney has an 0nIyFan$, which is a horny way to support the show: https://linktr.ee/cocopeepshow

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