What My Dog Taught Me About Loss, Grief and Life Insurance
My spouse, Jorvany, and I have two dogs: Max, a Terrier mix, and Nani, a Chihuahua. On July 4th, Jorvany left for a month-long trip to visit his family in Veracruz, Mexico. He took Nani with him, thinking it would be easier for me to care for just one dog while he was away.
The very next day, I noticed that Max was deeply depressed. He wasn’t eating, refused to go to the bathroom, and showed no interest in playing with his Beagle buddy, Ugo, or howling along with the neighborhood dogs like he usually does. I told Jorvany that taking Nani may not have been the best idea—Maxis clearly grieving the absence of both his companion and his caretaker. He doesn’t understand that they’ll be back on August 1st; to him, they’re just gone.
Jorvany is a very hands-on dog parent—he walks and feeds both dogs daily. Max and Nani are inseparable. They spend warm days together on the back patio in their doghouse and cold days cuddled on the couch. Without them, Max’s entire world feels like it has disappeared.
Over the past two weeks, I’ve watched Max move through the stages of grief. At first, he was in denial—rushing out of the house to stand on his hind legs and peer into the car windows, hoping to find Jorvany and Nani. Then came pain and guilt, as he began hiding behind the kitchen island. When I would leave the house, he’d become angry and stubborn, even blocking the door to stop me from leaving. Soon after came depression. He cried when I returned home—even if I had only stepped out to take out the trash—and he stopped eating altogether. Eventually, with the help of some roast beef and rotisserie chicken, he started eating again.
Now, Max spends his days in the chair in my office. We go for walks and take car rides. Slowly, he’s finding his new normal—an acceptance of a loss he doesn’t yet know is temporary.
What continues to amaze me is how complex Max’s emotions are—how closely they mirror those of humans experiencing real, permanent loss. And for many of us, grief isn’t just emotional—it’s financial. Alongside mourning, we often face the added weight of questions like: How will I pay the mortgage? Will I still be able to retire as planned? How will I afford college for my kids?
This is where life insurance plays a critical role. It brings financial certainty during a time of emotional uncertainty, giving you and your loved ones the space to grieve without added stress.
Yet, many advisors and clients feel intimidated by the life insurance application process. For years, the industry had a reputation for long, confusing paperwork and lengthy underwriting timelines. Thankfully, that has changed. With the rise of internet-based applications and secure e-signatures, applying for life insurance has never been easier—or safer. Today, an application can be completed, signed, and submitted entirely online. Insurance carriers can now use tools like prescription databases, the Medical Information Bureau, credit reports, and other electronic sources to make accelerated underwriting decisions—often within days.
If accelerated approval isn’t possible, the application moves to traditional underwriting. Typically, accelerated underwriting is available for individuals ages 18 to 60, with face amounts ranging from $1 million to $3 million, depending on the carrier.
The bottom line: the complexity of the life insurance process no longer needs to be a barrier. With today’s tools, getting the protection you or your client needs is simpler than ever—so you can focus on what matters most during times of loss.
Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. LPL Tracking Number: 771950 Investment advice offered through WCG Wealth Advisors, a registered investment advisor. WCG Wealth Advisors and The Wealth Consulting Group are separate entities from LPL Financial.
Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
