Barn & Soul Podcast: Episode 10 - Love, Loss, and Legacy... Grieving Our Animals

🎙️ Barn & Soul – Where farming meets heart, history, and a mission to preserve the past for a more sustainable future. Episode 10: Love, Loss, and Legacy: Grieving Our Animals 🚨 Disclaimer: This episode discusses the emotional topic of animal loss and may be difficult for some listeners.

 🕊️Grieving an animal is a deep and powerful experience—yet so often, it’s minimized or misunderstood. In this episode, I open up about the reality of losing beloved farm companions, from goats to doves, and how these losses have shaped both my life and the philosophy of Dalby Farm.
We’ll explore real psychological research that explains why animal grief feels just as profound as human grief, and we’ll reflect on how moving forward with love honors the animals we’ve lost. Whether your bond was with a dog, a pig, a duck, or a turtle—this space is for you.💛

🚨 Disclaimer: This episode discusses the emotional topic of animal loss and may be difficult for some listeners.
🔹 In This Episode:
-The story of Nate, our beloved Mini-Nubian goat, and his quiet impact
-Why a goat kid's loss changed Dalby Farm’s breeding philosophy for two decades
-The unexpected heartbreak of losing a rescued dove to a rare predator
-Psychological research on pet loss, grief symptoms, and societal stigma
-How continuing to care for rare and endangered animals honors those we’ve lost
-Why resilience, hope, and compassion are essential to farming and life

📚 Key References:
-American Psychological Association (APA): Pet loss and grief comparable to human bereavement (Quackenbush & Glickman, 2021)
-Anthrozoös Journal: "Pet Owner Grief Study," showing 72% experienced grief symptoms for 6+ months (2020)
-Dalby Farm Rare Breeds Program: Arapawa Island Goats, Ossabaw Island Hogs, Shetland Sheep, Royal Palm Turkeys, American Blue and Chinchilla Rabbits
-University of California, Davis: Studies on rumen stasis and goat digestive emergencies
-Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Insights into weasel predation patterns in New England

✨ If you're healing from the loss of an animal today, you are not alone. Your love mattered—and still does.
🐐 Subscribe for more reflections on farm life, conservation, and the bond between humans and animals.
🎧 Listen to the full Barn & Soul podcast series here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX9sUsZxbT39khhG3Geol6ZON7FzyO4iG
🌻 Learn more about Dalby Farm’s endangered breed mission: DalbyFarm.com
#BarnAndSoul #PetLoss #AnimalGrief #FarmLife #DalbyFarm #Conservation #GriefHealing #AnimalLove

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💛 If you’re grieving an animal right now, know you’re not alone. Their lives mattered. Your love matters. And continuing to love and protect the lives still in our care is one of the greatest honors we can give.
🎧 Subscribe to Barn & Soul for more reflections on animals, nature, and the human spirit.
🌾 Learn more about Dalby Farm and our conservation work: 
🔔 Subscribe for more farm life insights, rare breed conservation, and the behind-the-scenes of running a small farm! Remember, all the animals on our farm our PETS! They live out their days as educational ambassadors to our community far & wide! Please follow us here on Youtube!
Find us on Instagram & Facebook @DalbyFarm
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At least 50% of all shop revenue directly helps fund the care & upkeep of our 160 year old educational family farm and all the endangered breeds who live there.