The Dog Who Carried You Through the Hard Parts and What Happens When They're Gone | Pet Loss Grief

Have you ever loved a dog so deeply that losing them changed who you are? Not just sadness… but the quiet emptiness in the house, the missing routine, the way your body still listens for paws that aren’t there anymore. Losing a dog isn’t only grief — it’s a shift in identity, in daily life, in the way you move through the world. And yet, it’s something so many dog parents feel like they’re supposed to handle quietly. In this episode, Em sits down with therapist and author Douglas Green to talk about the life — and loss — of his heart dog, Shirelle. Together, they reflect on how dogs carry us through depression, loneliness, and life’s hardest seasons, and how grief, guilt, gratitude, and love often exist side by side. It’s an honest conversation about what it really means to bond with a dog so deeply that their absence still shapes you long after they’re gone. Press play if you need a gentle reminder that your grief makes sense — and you’re not alone in it. Guest Info: Order the book: The Teachings of Shirelle🐶 Ask Shirelle for advice: askshirelle.com Instagram: @douggreenauthor Free Resources & Support Dog Body Language Quiz Not sure what your dog’s behavior is communicating? Take the free quiz and get a resource matched to your results.👉 https://tinyurl.com/dogbodylanguagequiz Free 15-Minute Clarity Call Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? Book a short call, and we’ll talk through what’s going on. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow PetMatRx Supplements We Trust Support gut health and daily wellness. Use code FITZ20 to save. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm Email em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em This podcast explores real life with dogs — including dog behavior, reactivity, dog anxiety, stress in dogs, fearful dogs, and everyday training challenges. It’s for dog parents who are overwhelmed navigating life with dogs and want a clearer understanding of their dog, practical support, and a stronger bond while creating a calmer daily life with their dogs. Episodes cover canine nutrition, dog body language, dog communication, dog food and behavior, gut health, dog wellness, enrichment for dogs, dog enrichment activities, routines, dog lifestyle, and regulation — so life with your dog can feel calmer, more manageable, and more sustainable. Hosted by a dog trainer, canine nutrition coach, and retired vet tech, the show blends training, nutrition, and enrichment to support and bond with sensitive, anxious, pure-bred, and rescue dogs at home and in real life. Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛