Grieving Our Dogs: Coping With Loss, End-of-Life Decisions, and When to Open Your Heart Again

In this heartfelt episode of the Dog Owners Podcast, Brent is joined by Vinnie Somma and his wife Francesca as they open up about the recent loss of their beloved St. Bernard, Xena, who was a cherished part of their family for nine years.Together, Brent and Vinnie share their personal experiences with grieving a dog, navigating the emotional challenges that come with end-of-life decisions, and coping with the pain of saying goodbye to a lifelong companion. This episode offers honest insight and practical guidance for dog owners facing the difficult reality of losing a dog.The conversation also explores how the loss of a dog can impact the pack dynamic in multi-dog households, what behaviors to watch for in surviving dogs, and how to support them through the grieving process. Finally, Brent and Vinnie discuss one of the hardest questions many dog owners face: when and if you’re ready to welcome a new dog into your life after loss.Whether you’re currently caring for a senior dog, grieving a recent loss, or preparing emotionally for the future, this episode provides compassion, clarity, and reassurance that you’re not alone.