Am I Having a Grieving Issue?

Summary

The Dr. Laura Podcast
Episode: Am I Having a Grieving Issue?
Date: March 19, 2026

---

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. Laura takes a call from Anita, who is struggling with deep grief after the sudden disappearance of her dog. Together, they discuss the unique nature of grieving for a pet, how the lack of closure can intensify grief, and the detrimental habit of measuring or comparing one’s sorrow. Dr. Laura offers compassion, validation, and practical advice to Anita as she navigates this painful experience.

---

Key Discussion Points

1. Exploring the Caller’s Grief (01:25 – 03:07)

• Anita’s Situation:

  • Anita is calling because she is “having an issue grieving over a pet” and notes her grief is “worse than what I felt when I’ve lost some close people in my life over the last couple years.” (Anita, 01:59)
  • The pain is exacerbated by the uncertainty—her dog disappeared suddenly while on their farm, and she has no idea what happened.

• Dr. Laura’s Response:

  • Challenges the notion of there being an “issue” with grieving, positioning grief as a natural process and discouraging self-judgment:
    • “Grieving is a process. What issue can one have about grieving? … We don’t measure it and we don’t compare it. It’s what you feel for losing this dog. That’s huge.” (Dr. Laura, 01:46 & 02:26)
  • Empathizes with the deeper grief sometimes felt for pets due to their unconditional love and loyalty:
    • “There’s something unique about a human dog relationship… There is no human relationship which is as pure and clean as that.” (Dr. Laura, 02:11)
  • Counsels Anita to avoid comparing her sorrow to other losses or judging its depth:
    • “If you’re criticizing yourself because of the depth of your sorrow and missing, let me tell you, stop.” (Dr. Laura, 02:15)
    • “Just grieve without measuring it, please.” (Dr. Laura, 02:37)

---

2. The Impact of Uncertainty and Unresolved Loss (03:07 – 04:01; 06:39 – 07:14)

• Anita describes the circumstances:

  • The grief is compounded by a lack of closure—there’s uncertainty about whether the dog was taken or harmed by a predator.
  • “We live on a large farm, so we were by the grain bins and we have three dogs… we went to grab them to take them back up to the pond… if someone took her, oh God, maybe she’s safe. But… if we have predators here…” (Anita, 03:28)

• Dr. Laura’s Recommendations:

  • Suggests a practical step:
    • “You might want to have a tracking dog… if you have smells, clothes, games, stuff that that dog did all the time, you might want to get a tracking dog and see if that gives you any more.” (Dr. Laura, 06:42)
  • Reaffirms that not knowing what happened increases the pain:
    • “Grief is a sucker punch to the tummy and not knowing what the hell happened is very upsetting.” (Dr. Laura, 07:05)
  • Continues to remind Anita not to judge or quantify her grief.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dr. Laura on the uniqueness of pet loss:

  • “There’s something unique about a human dog relationship. They love us unconditionally. They’re adorable. They stand by us. There is no human relationship which is as pure and clean as that.” (02:11)

• On the futility of measuring grief:

  • “We don’t measure it and we don’t compare it. It’s what you feel for losing this dog. That’s huge.” (02:23)
  • “Just grieve without measuring it, please.” (02:37)

• Practical advice for unresolved disappearance:

  • “You might want to get a tracking dog and see if that gives you any more [answers].” (06:42)

• Validation of difficult, uncertain loss:

  • “Grief is a sucker punch to the tummy and not knowing what the hell happened is very upsetting.” (07:05)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:25] Anita’s call begins
• [01:46] Dr. Laura questions the idea of having a ‘grieving issue’
• [02:11] Dr. Laura discusses unique human-animal bonds and validates deep grief
• [02:37] Dr. Laura urges Anita not to compare or measure grief
• [03:07] Anita describes the circumstances of her dog’s disappearance
• [06:42] Dr. Laura suggests using a tracking dog for closure
• [07:05] Summary validation: Grief’s impact, especially with uncertainty

---

Summary

This concise but heartfelt call captures Dr. Laura’s characteristic mix of candidness and empathy. She challenges Anita to accept her grief in its entirety, without comparison or guilt, especially when it comes to the uniquely pure bond shared with animals. Dr. Laura validates the anguish that comes from unresolved disappearance and offers both emotional support and a possible actionable step toward finding closure. The episode serves as a gentle reminder that grief is personal, unquantifiable, and deserving of patience and understanding.

Transcript

[Home Depot Announcer]

Spring starts at the Home Depot and we are bringing the heat to your backyard this season. Fire up the flavor with our wide variety of grills for under $300 like the next grill 4 burner gas grill that's perfect for hosting your spring cookout. Then set the scene and turn your outdoor space into the go to spot the patio sets for every budget. Bring it this season with grills that deliver flavor and patios that set the vibe from the Home Depot. Start your spring with low prices guaranteed at the Home Depot. Exclusions applies to homeepo.com pricematch for details.

[Walmart Pharmacy Announcer]

Look, if you've got prescriptions, the Walmart app is your place to manage them. Transfer your scripts, refill them and have them delivered straight to you. Migraines, managed allergies, alleviated dermatology, derma delivered ding dong. Is that your pizza? Nope. Walmart Pharmacy delivery with a refill. Switch to Walmart and manage your prescriptions in the app. The Walmart you thought you knew is now new delivery not available for all prescription exclusions apply.

[Dr. Laura Announcer]

Thanks for listening to my Call of the Day brought to you by Ghostbed Sleep matters to your mood, your health, your whole day. That's why I recommend Comfy American made Ghostbed mattress. Visit ghostbed.com DrLora and use the code DrLaura to save 10%. Remember, you can hear my radio program daily on SiriusXM Triumph and connect with

[Dr. Laura]

me 24 [e-mail] Anita welcome to the program.

[Anita (Caller)]

Hello Dr. Laura. It's a pleasure to speak with you today. Thank you. The reason I'm calling is, you know, I'm having an issue grieving over a pet and just kind of give it a little background.

[Dr. Laura]

May I just ask you what that sentence means? I have an issue grieving. Grieving is a process. What issue can one have about grieving? I don't understand.

[Anita (Caller)]

It's a real deep grief. It's worse than what I felt when I've lost some close people in my life over the last couple years.

[Dr. Laura]

Yeah, Anita, Anita, a lot of people experience that. There's something unique about a human dog relationship. They love us unconditionally. They're adorable. They stand by us. There is no human relationship which is as pure and clean as that. So if you're criticizing yourself because of the depth of your sorrow and missing, let me tell you, stop. Judging is what it is. We don't measure it and we don't compare it. It's what you feel for losing this dog. That's huge. So I don't need to hear what happened. It's unnecessary. The problem is that you think you're grieving is not enough or too much. Just grieve without measuring it, please.

[Anita (Caller)]

I kind of think it was because I didn't know what had happened. We live on a large farm. She was standing next to my husband and we turned around, she's gone, she's gone. So I think that part of it is not knowing what happened. If someone took her, oh God, maybe she's safe. But if we have predators here, I'm

[Dr. Laura]

sorry, I don't understand. The dog is standing next to you and it disappears. I would think if something happened next to you, you'd notice it. I'm confused by that.

[Anita (Caller)]

Yeah, we live on a large farm, so we were by the grain bins and we have three dogs and they're running around in that area and we went to grab them to take them back up to the pond.

[Dr. Laura]

Well, this is an entirely different subject. If you don't know what happened to your dog, that's very upsetting. You're right. Still, I urge you not to measure your grief.

[Anita (Caller)]

Okay,

[Blue Buffalo Dog Food Announcer]

My dog Max loves chewing on my favorite pair of shoes almost as much as he loves his Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry dog food. Seriously, he never leaves a crumb. And I love it too because it's made with high quality protein, antioxidant packed fruits and nutrient rich veggies. Blue Buffalo foods are made with the superior ingredients your dog needs to thrive. Can your dog food say that? Visit feedbluefood.com to learn more.

[Home Depot Announcer]

Spring starts at the Home Depot and we are bringing the heat to your backyard this season. Fire up the flavor with our wide variety of grills under $300 like the next grill four burner gas grill that's perfect for hosting your spring cookout. Then set the scene and turn your outdoor space into the go to spot the patio sets for every budget. Bring it this season with grills that deliver flavor and patios that set the vibe from the Home Depot. Start your spring with low prices guaranteed at the Home Depot exclusion supplies. See homedepot.com pricematch for details.

[VRBO Announcer]

You know what they say. Early bird gets the ultimate vacation home. Book early and save over $120 with RO because early gets you closer to the action, whether it's waves lapping at the shore or snoozing in a hammock that overlooks. Well, whatever you want it to so you can all enjoy the payoff come summer with VRBO's early booking deals rise and shine. Average savings $141 select homes only look

[Walmart Pharmacy Announcer]

if you've got prescriptions, the Walmart app is your place to manage them. Transfer your scripts, refill them and have them delivered straight to you. Migraines managed allergies, alleviated dermatology Derma delivered Ding dong, is that your pizza? Nope. Walmart Pharmacy delivery with a refill. Switch to Walmart and manage your prescriptions in the app. The Walmart you thought you knew is now new delivery. Not available for all prescriptions.

[Eggland's Best Announcer]

Exclusions apply for my family, I'm always at my best. That's why I also want the best in my kitchen. And that means only Egglund's best eggs. They're always so fresh tasting and delicious with 6 times more vitamin D, 10 times more vitamin E, and 25% less saturated fat than ordinary eggs. So why give your family less when they can have the best Egglands best Better taste, better nutrition, better eggs. For added convenience, look for our hard cooked peeled egg.

[Anita (Caller)]

Just go through it.

[Dr. Laura]

You might want to have. Let's see, there are tracking dogs. You might want to have a tracking dog. If you have smells, clothes, games, stuff that that dog did all the time, you might want to get a tracking dog and see if that gives you any more. But don't measure grief. I'm not doing it enough. I'm doing it. Too much grief is a sucker punch to the tummy and not knowing what the hell happened is very upsetting. My number 1-800-375-2872.

[Dr. Laura Announcer]

If you like this podcast, be sure to rate it on Apple Podcasts or your favorite place to listen to my podcast. Of course, I'd love if you gave me five stars. And be sure to share this podcast with a friend on Facebook or your preferred social media platform.

[Walmart Pharmacy Announcer]

Oh no, my coffee brawny here.

[Brawny Paper Towels Announcer]

New brawny 3 ply is now more absorbent.

[Dr. Laura]

Wow, got a clean shirt.

[Brawny Paper Towels Announcer]

Do you wear plaid?

Summon the strongest.