In this high-emotion episode, Dr Marcus and Charlie take a walk (not literally this time) into the emotional world of our pets.

We break down what makes our relationships with animals so powerful, and why saying goodbye can feel like losing a family member.

We’re reflecting on:

🐾 The science behind pets and mood

🐾 How they reduce stress and improve connection

🐾 The deep grief of pet loss, and how to navigate it

🐾 Whether pets make us more emotionally intelligent

This one’s warm, funny, emotional, and healing, a celebration of our four-legged companions and what they give us.

💡 Advice in this episode includes:

• Making time and intentionality to connect with your pet

• Rituals for grief and letting go

• The idea of continued bonds with animals who’ve passed

• Creative ways to experience pet connection without ownership

• How pets help regulate our nervous systems and foster empathy

📚 References:

Adrian, J. a. L., & Stitt, A. (2017). Pet loss, complicated grief, and Post-Traumatic stress disorder in Hawaii. Anthrozoös, 30(1), 123–133. https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2017...

Ainsworth, M. D. S., Blehar, M. C., Waters, E., & Wall, S. (1978). Patterns of attachment: A psychological study of the strange situation. Lawrence Erlbaum.  Beetz, A., Uvnäs-Moberg, K., Julius, H., & Kotrschal, K. (2012). Psychosocial and Psychophysiological effects of Human-Animal Interactions: The possible role of Oxytocin. Frontiers in Psychology, 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00234

Hawkins, R. D., Ellis, A., & Robinson, C. (2024). Exploring the connection between pet attachment and owner mental health: the roles of Owner-Pet compatibility, perceived pet welfare, and behavioral issues. medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory). https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.11.20.24...

Loftus, E. F., & Pickrell, J. E. (1995). The formation of false memories. Psychiatric Annals, 25(12), 720-725. psycnet.apa.org  Wilson, E. O. (1984). Biophilia. Harvard University Press