Forever Loved Veterinary Hospice & In-Home Euthanasia

17/03/2025

This sounds like a wonderful session 💙

I wasn’t sure I was ready for another dog.

When we lost Nelly, our big, loving Bernese mix, the last of our three girls to pass on, my heart ached in a way I can’t even put into words.

A part of me longed to share our lives with another dog, but another part of me was still deep in grief.

And then along came W***y.

A was five-month-old ball of intensity that was supposed to be a temporary foster; just like Nelly was so many years before.

He came at a time where I longed for connection with a dog but also at at a time when I felt like I had nothing left to give.

I caught myself comparing him to her, wondering if I’d made a mistake, feeling guilty for struggling instead of instantly bonding with him.

What got me through? I let myself feel what I needed to feel. I continued to honour Nelly.

And most importantly, I didn’t force myself to “move on” or pretend the grief wasn’t there.

If you’ve ever experienced this push and pull—grief for one dog while trying to open your heart to another—you’re not alone and I'd love to support you.

That’s why I’m hosting Paws to Heal – A Journey from Love to Loss, a live masterclass for anyone navigating the loss (or impending loss) of a beloved dog or struggling to bond with a new one while still grieving.

We’ll explore:

💛 How grief can awaken a deeper understanding of why our dogs come into our lives
💛Unlocking your inner strengths so you feel less alone on this journey
💛Gentle exercises to shift the heaviness of grief, connect with the dog you lost and open your heart to connection once again

Here's all the details:
Paws to Heal | Journey from Loss to Love
Monday, March 25th
11:00 AM ET
Live on Zoom (link sent after registration)

If this speaks to your heart, I’d love for you to join me.
Register here: https://link.theviphub.ca/widget/form/LgZZSMYTynTEFnfysKSo
I can't wait to see you there!

P.S. You don't have to walk this road alone, it's easier to share the burden. Join us today by clicking this link to space your seat: https://link.theviphub.ca/widget/form/LgZZSMYTynTEFnfysKSoDrop ❤️

17/02/2025

During a stretch of cold and icy conditions, there's a few things you can do to keep your senior pet moving. Maintaining movement is crucial for pets with arthritis, but the key is low-impact, consistent activity!

~Start with light massage or gentle range of motion exercises to loosen those stiff joints.

~Encourage slow walking around the house for a few minutes before more active play.

~Walk laps around the house or up and down hallways.

~Slowly walking up and down stairs can build strength, but avoid if your pet struggles with mobility.

~Puzzle toys stimulate their mind and can involve light movement.

~Tug of war can engage muscles, but avoid harsh pulling. Use non-slip rugs to prevent slips on hardwood or tile floors.

Aim for 2-3 short sessions (5-15 minutes) throughout the day instead on one long session.

Stay warm out there! 🥰

11/02/2025

Did you know we also offer quality of life consultations? Our vet's can assess your pet’s comfort, mobility, and overall well-being, providing guidance and support tailored to your situation. You don’t have to make this decision alone—we’re here to help you navigate this difficult time with care and understanding 💜.

Deciding when to euthanize a beloved pet is one of the hardest things a person will ever do. So how do you know when to let go?

30/01/2025

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Rosetta Parker has joined our team! Dr. Parker is available to provide compassionate end of life services to pocket pets as well 🩷.

Rosetta grew up in rural Nova Scotia where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree at the Dalhousie Agricultural College. She graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island in 2014 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.

After graduation, Rosetta relocated to eastern Ontario where she worked at a couple small animal clinics both in Ottawa & rural towns. After practicing 11 years in Ontario, it was time to come back to her home province of Nova Scotia.

During her time working in small animal clinics, Rosetta developed a passion for working with her geriatric patients & ensuring their end of life comfort with palliative medicine . After losing her own beloved 17 year old dog Allie in 2023, she understands the need for gentle guidance & support during one of the toughest times. It is truly a gift that we can give our pets to not let them suffer and cross the rainbow bridge peacefully.

21/01/2025

Beautifully put, and so very true❤
Written by author, RM Drake

13/01/2025

Tender Tails is happy to announce a new service starting this March. They will be offering a Pet Caregiver Support Group for pet parents caring for companion animals who have chronic conditions being overseen by a veterinarian. Their Pet Caregiver Support Groups will be a comforting place for people in caregiving roles to come together regularly for mutual care and support. The virtual group will provide space to talk and listen while sharing information and strategies.

Tender Tails’ Kathleen Dunbar, who is a Veterinary Social Worker and Registered Veterinary Technician, will facilitate the group. We should note that the group will NOT provide veterinary advice or offer veterinary care. This group will provide emotional support.

Information can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=122188147808060218&set=a.122096616680060218&type=3¬if_id=1736787707398490¬if_t=feedback_reaction_generic&ref=notif

Tender Tails is happy to announce a new service starting this March. We will be offering a Pet Caregiver Support Group for pet parents caring for companion animals who have chronic conditions being overseen by a veterinarian. Our Pet Caregiver Support Groups will be a comforting place for people in caregiving roles to come together regularly for mutual care and support. The virtual group will provide space to talk and listen while sharing information and strategies.

Tender Tails’ Kathleen Dunbar, who is a Veterinary Social Worker and Registered Veterinary Technician, will facilitate the group. We should note that the group will NOT provide veterinary advice or offer veterinary care. This group will provide emotional support.

This group is for you if you feel:
🐾Overwhelmed by the duties associated with caring for your companion animal
🐾Feel like you spend a lot of your time in a veterinary hospital with your companion animal
🐾Feel anxious and worried about your companion animal a lot

The fee for the whole program is $50 (no tax). This includes five one-hour sessions. There is a limit of six participants and members must be over the age of 19 and living in one of the Atlantic provinces.

Tender Tails is eligible for reimbursement with most extended health care plan providers, including MedaVie Blue Cross. Limited pro bono offerings are available for those who are unable to pay.
Email [email protected] to register.

17/12/2024

❤️💚Holiday Hours💚❤️

Dear clients, please be advised that we will be closed for the holidays from December 24th-January 2nd. The email will be monitored periodically during that time. We will resume regular correspondence (phone/email) on January 3rd, and will resume housecalls on January 4th. It's important for us to take time to rest and recoup so we can continue to serve you well in the new year.

If your pet is in urgent need and you cannot get into your regular clinic, there are several options available to help you and your pet over the holidays: MAEC (Metro Animal Emergency Clinic), Coastal Care, Martime Emergency, 4Paws and Penhorn Animal Hospital.

In veterinary medicine, it's not uncommon to hear "I just want to get them through one more holiday". We completely understand how difficult it is to let go and not wanting to associate the holidays with loss, but please keep their quality of life in mind. "Getting them through" is for us, not for them. Our pets see us through every high and every low, it's only fair we do the same for them.

Wishing you all a beautiful holiday season❤💚❤️💚

21/11/2024

From Metro Pet Crematory:

Please note that while staff negotiate a fair contract there will be delays with some of our customer orders. Unfortunately this is beyond our control and we will be in contact with those impacted.

13/11/2024

Another absolutely perfect portrait done by Amissa.K.S watercolours. Rosie was deeply loved, and is terribly missed. So much love to Rosie's mom for allowing us to share 🩷🌈

12/11/2024

Our pets have such a profound impact on our lives, in ways we never thought possible. I saw this and thought it was too beautiful not to share.

02/11/2024

1 year, how has one year gone by so fast, one year without you.

1 year ago today, I said goodbye to my best friend of 13.5 years. She was the dog who helped heal my heart after the loss of my childhood dog. She was MY “first” born, my confidant, my shadow (or hemorrhoid, as my husband would call her) and my rock. She helped me through numerous losses, she was the flower girl at my wedding and the best big sister, my son could ever ask for. I never thought I could live without her and at a time I needed her the most, is when I had to say goodbye.

6 months it took for me to look at a photo of Pandy, I always looked at the photos and filled myself with guilt followed by a night of crying myself to sleep. I couldn’t even talk about her. During these 6months, I started talking to a therapist (Kathleen, Tender Tails), participated in a pet loss support group and met with my colleague who euthanized her. It wasn’t until then, I was able to remember my girl as who she was and start my healing journey.

I still have periods where I break down, or I “forget” thinking she is going to be meeting me at the door when I return home…but the time in between is getting more and more distant. I am beginning to heal.

I wanted to share my journey with pet loss to let you all know, you are not alone and we do heal. It is not easy and will never be linear…but we do survive and the days get a little easier to face.

We have since opened our hearts and home to another pup, Luna, but Pandy will always have a piece of my heart and she will never be forgotten.

Rest easy my beautiful girl, mommy loves you.

💞 Sabrina

08/10/2024

To help with some frequently asked questions, and to clarify some misconceptions, I thought I would share a few details about our services.

1. The pre-euthanasia consult is done at the same visit as the euthanasia. We do the consult because our doctors need to feel comfortable with the decision to euthanize. It is also required by the NSVMA (Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association) to have a relationship with the pet in order to prescribe or administer medications. This includes sedatives and the drug we use to euthanize.

2. You can submit a question or consultation request via our website- foreverlovedvet.ca. By selecting "Schedule a Consultation", you are giving us the information needed to start a file. It doesn't mean you are obligated to use our services. It just allows us to have your file ready when/if you need us, and hopefully make you feel less flustered when the time comes. With both options, please feel free to provide us with a little bit of history.

3. We offer quality-of-life consults in situations where you may want a second opinion, or feel like the time is getting close but need some help. Sometimes it's a matter of prescribing a medication to help with pain, inflammation, or infection. Or it could simply be a conversation to help guide you when the time comes. At any visit, if the pet is suffering, our vets are prepared to proceed with euthanasia. If you'd like us to send you a QOL scale that you can fill out at home, you can submit a question via our website.

4. We deal with the wonderful people at Metro Pet Crematory, however, we are not the same company. That is why it is important to know your aftercare wishes, including the urn and inscription, by the time of the appointment. Once your pet is released from our care, we cannot update the physical tag, only the digital tag. It's much less confusing for the crematory if both the physical and the digital tag match. They do check in when it's unclear, but it's best to have that information prior to the appointment to alleviate all confusion.

08/10/2024

****Telephone difficulties****

We have switched phone companies, however, we are still having difficulties with people getting through. If you have trouble reaching us via phone, please submit a question or request for consultation via our website at: https://foreverlovedvet.ca

Thank you for your patience.

Our veterinary team is dedicated to making the last moments of each pet’s life as fear-free and comfortable as possible by allowing them to stay in their own, familiar home, surrounded by their loving family.

03/10/2024

If you're struggling in your grief, Kathleen Dunbar is hosting another Pet Loss Support Group. The virtual group starts Oct 22nd and costs $200 (no tax) for the whole eight-week program. To learn more about it, you can click the link below. I will also include it in the comments. if you want to copy and paste it directly.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02t5S3C3MCTZXAvQfWaXH1A3bsVD6Kn1qsuQhT7FA9TAJ2okQsw3Qq9Vos5hwKUUJAl&id=61551806551908

🐾Our next Tender Tails Pet Loss Group starts this October.

💻The group meets virtually and is available to anyone over the age of 19 living in an Atlantic Canadian province.

💻The group meets 6:30 to 8 pm AT on Oct 29, Nov 5, Nov 12, Nov 19, Nov 26, Dec 3, Dec 10, and Dec 17.

In this eight-week program, you will meet others who are going through similar pain. Your feelings, thoughts, questions, and worries will be supported and honoured. You’ll find compassion and comfort for the journey ahead. Kathleen Dunbar, a veterinary social worker and registered veterinary technician, facilitates the group.

This group is for you if you are experiencing:

🐾guilt in the face of your heartbreaking loss

🐾 a flooding of painful feelings and thoughts

🐾a sense of emptiness

The fee is $200 (no tax) for eight sessions. There is a limit of ten participants.

Tender Tails is eligible for reimbursement with most extended health care plan providers, including MedaVie Blue Cross. Limited pro bono offerings are available for those who are unable to pay.
Email [email protected] to register.

11/09/2024

Kathleen is offering a wonderful rock painting workshop to individuals over 16 who are struggling with pet loss. Please reach out to her if you'd like to take part. Enrollment is limited so early registration is recommended. Thank you for all you do Kathleen!

Tender Tails will be offering a FREE in-person Memory Rock Painting Workshop on Saturday, September 28th, 10:00 am - 11:30 am for anyone grieving their beloved companion animal. The event will take place in Halifax. The event is part of Grief Gatherings, a week-long grief festival to support and nurture grief literacy in communities across the province of Nova Scotia – and beyond.

Doing something creative can be a helpful way to process the grief associated with losing your companion animal. At this workshop, participants will be encouraged and guided through the process of painting a memory rock using acrylic paint markers. Kathleen Dunbar, the Veterinary Social Worker of the Tender Tails program, will facilitate the event.

No art skill is necessary! The loss of your companion animal may be recent or may have occurred a while ago. Anyone over the age of 16 is welcome to join.

Early registration is recommended as enrolment is limited to ten participants. To register and get more details, please email Kathleen at [email protected].

31/08/2024

This really resonated with me and I wanted to share.

I've wanted to save animals in one sense or another since I was 4 years old and pleaded with my mother to let me bury a dead chipmunk we saw on our walk. Which of course she obliged.

I have always felt more comfortable when animals are around. As a kid, or as an adult, when visiting family or friends, I always migrate to the animal(s) in the house. They'd save me from feeling awkward and allowed me to be me.

All my pets have been rescues, with the exception of P-Rabbit. Even though I rescued them, they saved me over and over again. Sometimes we don't fully appreciate how much they save us until they're gone.

Working in clinic for 19 years, I have devoted my life to caring for other people's pets and doing what I can to save them. On the other side of that, working with Forever Loved, I still get to save pets, but in a different way. Being there for our pets in end-of-life is equally as important as when they are puppies and kittens. While there's nothing harder than letting go, I truly believe we are doing them a kindness. People tend to think of euthanasia as an ugly word, but I choose to see it as one final act of love. And in that way, we are saving them from suffering.

Regardless of why you save animals, I hope they always bring you peace.
-Tricia

19/08/2024

We have unfortunately been dealing with some telephone issues these past few days, and as a result, many clients have been unable to get through.
As we navigate a permanent fix with our phone system, please send inquires though our "new contact form" on our website

Our veterinary team is dedicated to making the last moments of each pet’s life as fear-free and comfortable as possible by allowing them to stay in their own, familiar home, surrounded by their loving family.