Luis: Hey Joe, you got a minute? It’s been a rough week emotionally. Hannah—my black dog—died years ago now, but the anniversary always sneaks up on me. She was such a constant companion. Some days it feels like it just happened.
Joe: I remember Hannah. She had that gentle spirit. Time helps, but certain losses stay with you. How are you feeling about it these days?
Luis: It’s a quieter grief now, but it’s still there. Losing her made me think a lot about Churchill and his “black dog”—that phrase he used for his depression. He fought those dark moods his whole life while doing monumental things. When Hannah died, it felt like my own black dog showed up again. But music became a big part of working through it.
Joe: That connection makes sense. Grief doesn’t have an expiration date.
Luis: No, it doesn’t. I turned to Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog” a lot back then. I always pictured it being named after Churchill and his depressions—that powerful, restless energy in the song mirrored what I was feeling. The riff hits like a wave of emotion, but it also pulls you forward. Over time, it became part of my music therapy routine. Listening, even playing along on guitar a little, helped me process the sadness without getting stuck in it. Research shows music can reduce stress hormones and spark feel-good chemicals that ease grief. It gave me a way to honor Hannah instead of just missing her.
Joe: Music therapy is powerful for that reason. It meets you where you are—whether you need to feel the pain or move through it. Sounds like it helped transform that loss into something you could carry more lightly.
Luis: It really did. Years later, I can smile thinking about her while the song plays. Hannah was my antidote to the black dog. Now the music keeps some of that light alive. If you’re up for it, we should throw on some Zeppelin and reminisce. She’d approve.
Joe: I’m in. To Hannah, and to the healing power of a good riff. I’m always here if you want to talk more.
