The Quiet Ones Hurt the Most: ADHD & Pet Grief

Host: Christine Dunning, Master Certified Life Coach & founder of Two Cats Coaching
Guest: Stacy Collins, hospice chaplain & fellow late-diagnosed ADHDer

For many single adults (and plenty of partnered folks, too), pets are family—routine-keepers, comfort-bringers, and steady companions. In this episode, Christine and Stacy talk about pet loss: anticipatory grief, saying goodbye, and rebuilding daily life when the house suddenly sounds too quiet.

What We Cover

• Pet grief is real grief: Why the bond can feel as strong (or stronger) than human relationships.
• ADHD layers: How loss disrupts structure, routines, executive function, and emotional regulation.
• Anticipatory grief: Knowing goodbye is coming—crying before the loss, noticing decline, making compassionate choices.
• A kind goodbye: What a supportive vet experience can look like (quiet room, time, separate exit), cremation options, paw-print keepsakes.
• Memorials & meaning: Urns or boxes, paw prints, portraits/illustrations, and the comfort of “Rainbow Bridge” imagery—whatever fits your beliefs.
• Life after a pet: Rebuilding morning rituals, navigating a surviving pet’s behavior, and naming what you miss most.
• Should I get another pet? ADHD-friendly questions to ask yourself; low-commitment options like fostering; choosing travel or flexibility.
• Preparing for inevitability: Remembering that we usually outlive our pets; choosing presence over fear.

Favorite Lines

“It’s not just a pet. It’s a being that let you love them—and loved you back.”
“When my routine was ‘we cuddle while I drink coffee,’ the silence wasn’t just quiet—it was missing.”

Gentle Ideas to Try

• Create a small ritual (light a candle, place a photo, write a letter, plant a flower).
• Keep a “morning anchor” to replace the old routine (cozy slippers + coffee + 10 minutes of journaling).
• If you’re considering a new pet, try fostering first to check energy, time, and readiness.

Next in the Series

• Ep 13: What Is Grief? (ADHD & Big Feelings)
• Ep 14: Why Goodbye Doesn’t Come Easily
• Ep 15: Pet Grief — The Quiet Ones Hurt the Most (this episode)
• Ep 16: Grieving Lost Dreams — The Life I Didn’t Live
• Ep 17: Rituals & Real Talk — ADHD-Friendly Grief Rituals

Resources & Support

• U.S. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7)
• 911 for emergencies
• Local pet-loss support groups and hotlines (often offered by humane societies or vets)

Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and support. It is not medical or mental-health advice. If you’re struggling to function or feel unsafe, please seek professional help (U.S.: 988 or 911).

Connect

• Website & show hub: TwoCatsCoaching.com
• IG/FB: @TwoCatsCoaching
• Please subscribe, rate, and share if this helped you. 🐾