Should I Put My Dogs Up for Adoption?

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dr. Laura Podcast

Episode: "Should I Put My Dogs Up for Adoption?"

Date: February 3, 2026
Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Platform: SiriusXM & podcast apps

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on a heartfelt call from a widower grappling with whether to keep or re-home his family dogs after the recent passing of his wife. Faced with the challenges of solitary life, changing routines, and the heavy responsibilities that come with pet ownership, the caller seeks Dr. Laura’s perspective on whether his current feelings are a part of normal grief or if rehoming the dogs is a reasonable choice. Dr. Laura provides empathetic, direct advice about pacing major life decisions after loss.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Caller’s Situation and Dilemma

• The caller, 58, recently lost his wife and is now considering downsizing and traveling in his approaching retirement.
• He and his wife had shared two older dogs, originally pets of their adult children.
• The dogs now present logistical and emotional challenges; they hinder the caller’s freedom to travel and participate in new activities.
• The caller feels attached but not deeply bonded, describing his relationship with the dogs as “love-hate.” (03:31)
• The adult children are unable or unwilling to take full responsibility for the pets.
• Caller’s dilemma: Would it be selfish or rash to re-home the dogs, or is this a normal reaction in the grieving process?

Dr. Laura’s Advice & Reflections

• Dr. Laura first probes the caller's motives and emotions, noting that grief can drive a desire for drastic changes.
• She questions why the adult children, whom the dogs originally belonged to, aren’t taking responsibility ("Why don't the kids take the dogs, since they were theirs in the first place?" – Dr. Laura, 03:48)
• The importance of not making big decisions shortly after a major loss is emphasized.
  • “You need to take more time. It's only been less than a handful of months.” (Dr. Laura, 08:26)
• Dr. Laura recommends a “cooling off” period:
  • “I think you ought to pace yourself a little. Think things through, take a whole year, then make decisions.” (08:34)
• Acknowledgement of Grief:
  • “Of course you’re emotional.” (08:02)
• Dr. Laura notes that wanting to “hit the eject button and just be free of everything” is a natural part of bereavement but urges caution to avoid future regret. (08:34–08:56)

Emotional & Practical Challenges

• The caller expresses that the dogs’ care is restrictive, preventing even short overnight trips.
• He invested heavily in the dogs’ health, citing a recent expensive surgery for one, but grapples with questioning whether his current emotions are impulsive or normal.
• “I don't know. Like I said, I might be emotional. I may be jumping the gun.” (Caller, 07:23)
• The caller's main fear is acting rashly and regretting the decision, paralleling his lack of regrets in his marriage.
  • “But I'd hate to put them up for adoption and then realize I was being rash.” (08:05)
  • “Yeah, I've got no regrets in my relationship with my wife. I don't want to have any afterwards, so.” (09:03)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the responsibility of pet ownership after loss:
  • “That's what these responsibilities are like.” (Dr. Laura, 07:17)
• On the pace of decisions during grief:
  • “I think you ought to pace yourself a little. Think things through, take a whole year, then make decisions.” (Dr. Laura, 08:34)
• On emotions in grief:
  • “Of course you’re emotional.” (Dr. Laura, 08:02)
• On wanting to avoid future regret:
  • “Just take the time so you won’t have regrets.” (Dr. Laura, 08:56)

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Important Timestamps

• 01:25 – Caller introduces his situation: recent widowhood, upcoming daughter’s wedding, plans to downsize/travel, and the dog dilemma.
• 03:31–03:48 – Caller describes emotional attachment level to the dogs and Dr. Laura questions why the children can’t take them.
• 06:24 – Further discussion on the children’s limited capacity and the younger son’s attempt to care for one dog.
• 07:17–07:23 – Caller and Dr. Laura discuss feeling “trapped” by the responsibility of pet care.
• 08:26–08:56 – Dr. Laura highlights the importance of not rushing decisions in grief; recommends a year-long period before making permanent changes.

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Tone & Takeaways

The conversation is empathetic and practical, balancing emotional support with actionable advice. Dr. Laura’s guidance is encouraging but firm: she validates the caller’s emotional turmoil and desire for change, while urging measured, deliberate decision-making to mitigate regret. The episode is relatable for anyone navigating loss or difficult responsibilities, underscoring the importance of time and reflection in periods of upheaval.

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Transcript

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[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Thanks for listening to my call of the day sponsored by Vibriant Super C Serum, my personal solution for smoother, more hydrated skin. Super C Serum is a full line of skin care products all in one bottle. Get 37% off plus free shipping by going to vibrance.com DrLora Remember, you can hear my radio program daily on Sirius XM Triumph. And connect with me 24 [e-mail] Jimmy.

Welcome to the program.

[Caller]

Hi, Dr. Laura.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Hi.

[Caller]

Hi. My wife was a big listener, big fan, so I figured I probably have to ask your opinion on this. My wife passed away five months ago and I'm doing okay with the grief. I mean, no regrets in our relationship. And my kids are all grown and out of the house. And now I'm just trying to figure out what my path is going to be. I'm 58, so I'm getting ready for retirement.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

You are?

I'm 79.

I'm not retiring well.

[Caller]

I mean, you know, it's. It's a thought. We're not happy. It wasn't happening, but we're gonna do that together. But at this point, my daughter's gonna get married in the backyard this year. And then possibly after that, I might sell the house and downsize. But the other thing that my wife and I were also, when we were thinking about retirement was that, you know, we do have two dogs. They're older, but we realized we can't travel like we had planned with our dogs. And so we decided, you've got an.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Rv.

[Caller]

That, that's true. That's true. But they're not, they're not, they don't play that, play that well with others. One of them, the older one, is that way. So we had figured, well, when the dogs pass, we won't get any other ones and we would travel when we retire in a few years. And now I'm kind of stuck for myself because now I'd like to just get out of the house and be with friends and maybe visit some friends and family across the country. And I really can't do that with my dogs. So I've talked to the kids about it and you know, they're like, well, we should put them up for adoption if we can. And I mean, I know I have them here to keep me company right now.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

And I mean, that would be devastating for them. That's. That would be devastating for the dogs.

[Caller]

It's a love hate we've, I've had with the dogs for a while. Like, I, I love them. I'm not in love with them. They're more like the kids dogs that we were just continuing on with after they moved away from us. So I. Oh, really? I don't know if I'm being irrational.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Why don't the kids take the dogs.

Since they were theirs in the first place?

[Rich Gannon]

This is Rich Gannon from Sirius XM NFL Radio reminding you that Sirius XM is the place to hear every NFL playoff game from the wild card round all the way through the Super Bowl. Plus, you get to decide how you want to listen to the game. We'll have the hometown announcers for each game and the national broadcasters on your radio and on the SiriusXM app. And if it's football talk that you want, just search for NFL Radio on the app or tune to Sirius XM channel 88 in your car.

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[Caller]

Well, you know, some of them live in apartments. Actually my youngest son took the younger dog, who's eight, with him yesterday to be with him for a couple months. I think he's gonna see how it works out. But although he is saying it's going to be maybe till they can get fostered, I'm just feeling like I, I want to leave some options open. I don't, I don't want to feel trapped like even just going to visit a friend for, you know, the day I have to make sure I'm back to let them in out of the house. And you know, I can't spend the night anywhere even if I were to go to a friend's house and spend the evening.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Mm.

[Caller]

So I just don't want to make any. I want to make sure I'm not overreacting anything but I feel a little trapped in that way.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Yeah, you are a little trapped in that way. That's what these responsibilities are like.

[Caller]

So, and, and also last year I think, you know, both of I've never had a dog with past nine and my because I've always had purebreds. My one purebred is eight and the other one is a mutt and he's 11 and I just had, like, a. He had a spleen removed last year. He had a ruptured tumor. I invested, you know, trying to keep him alive, and. And then, I don't know, just. I have all kinds of thoughts going through my head, like, because I lost my wife, you know, my best friend, and it's. I don't know. Like I said, I might be emotional. I may be jumping the gun.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Of course you're emotional.

[Caller]

But I'd hate to put them up for adoption and then realize I was being rash. It could be months away still, you know, But I don't know. I just was seeking your advice. Am I being stupid? Is this part of a regular grieving process?

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

You need to take more time. It's only been less than a handful.

Of months.

And you're wanting to hit the eject button and just be free of everything. And I think you ought to pace yourself a little. Think things through, take a whole year, then make decisions.

[Caller]

Okay. Thank you.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Just take the time so you won't have regrets.

[Caller]

Yeah, I've got no regrets in my relationship with my wife. I don't want to have any afterwards, so.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

I know. I understand that.

[Caller]

Thank you. Thank you, doctor.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

You take care. My number, 1-800-375-2872.

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.

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