Forever Loved Veterinary Hospice & In-Home Euthanasia

03/12/2024

❤️💚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.

13/08/2024

For many of us, the emotional attachment we share with our pets is intense. However, it can sometimes blur the illness or suffering happening right in front of us. It's not done out of malice, but in order to spare ourselves having to acknowledge that the time has come to let go. To avoid this, and to do right by our pets, it's important to look at things obectively, even when it hurts. If you or a loved one is questioning your pet's quality of life, we would encourage you to take a look at this scale. It may help put things into perspective and offer you peace of mind when trying to make such an impossible decision.

18/07/2024

Grief is hard and can hit like a ton of bricks, weeks, months, even years after a loss. Finding ways to honour our pets will help to keep their memory alive, gently guiding us through our grief .

Some things things you might consider doing:

• Write a letter to your pet expressing what the meant to you
• Plant a tree in their name
• Frame a special photo
• Paint a rock for the garden
• Print photos for an album
• Write an obituary
• Create an ornament or keepsake. BBD Etching has beautiful options. I've including a link to their FB page in the comments below.
• Have an area in your house, either inside or out, that is designated to them and where you can go and talk to them when you’re missing them most. Fill it with their belongings- blankets, beds, collars, leashes, toys, pictures, etc
• Take any opportunity to share stories about your pet
• Have a painting commissioned by a local artist. Amissa does lovely work. I've also put her link in the comments
• Write a poem
• Have a memorial service or celebration of life (with or without other people)

We all grieve in different ways, which means we cope in different ways. What’s comforting to some, may not feel right for you, but we hope this list will give you options on where to start.

16/07/2024

Copied from our friends at Maritime Veterinary Emergency.

Today is (July 15th)! It's the perfect time to plan ahead on how to keep your pets safe in case of a fire. 🐶🐱

🔥 Keep pets away from fireplaces, firepits, and candles
🔥 Have a rescue plan and practice with your family
🔥 Keep leashes, crates, and carriers accessible
🔥 Inform rescuers of your pets and their hiding places
🔥 Make sure your pets are wearing ID tags and are microchipped in case they escape

If you experience a fire related emergency with your pet, contact Maritime at (902) 932-0838

20/06/2024

A friendly reminder from our friends at Penhorn Animal Hospital.

Friends, the next few days are going to be HOT! And that means we need to be especially careful that our pets are kept cool and comfortable.

Pets can easily become overheated on hot humid days, potentially leading to heat stroke or heat exhaustion. The good news is heat stroke is often simple to prevent!

Walks or other exercise should be limited to the cool mornings or evenings. Not only will this help with overheating but it will also help prevent contact burns from very hot pavement, sand or boardwalks.

General cooling measures on a warm day (for dogs) can include a gentle swim, a bit of hose or water play ( don't overdo it if your dog gulps water), frozen or chilled treats, a cooling mat, and of course simply staying indoors with a fan or air conditioning.

But what about cats? Even though cats love the sun, most have the sense to move if they begin to be seriously overheated. Make sure your kitty has access to space with shade, a fan or air conditioning as well as cool, fresh drinking water.

As always, if your pet seems unwell or if you are concerned they may have heat stroke or heat exhaustion, veterinary care is in order. For an appointment or question call Penhorn Animal Hospital at 902-444-1644 and our staff can assist you!

07/06/2024

Join us tomorrow at the Doggie Expo! We will be there to answer questions and provide information on our services 💙. 10am-4pm.

While we all wish our dogs could live forever; an option for some of us when the time comes is at home care, including: quality of life consultations, palliative care and in-home euthanasia 💔💔 In HRM Forever Loved Veterinary Hospice & In-Home Euthanasia provides this incredibly wonderfully compassionate service. They will have an exhibit at 2024 Maritime Doggie EXPO 🐾

30/04/2024

The wonderful Kathleen Dunbar will be offering an 8 week Pet Loss Support Group beginning May 14th. For those interested, see the link below.

🐾Our next Tender Tails Pet Loss Group starts in May.

💻The group meets virtually and is available to anyone over the age of 18 living in an Atlantic Canadian province.
💻The group meets 6:30 to 8 pm AT on May 14, May 21, May 28, June 4, June 11, June 18, and June 25 and July 2.

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. The group is facilitated by Kathleen Dunbar, a veterinary social worker and registered veterinary technician.

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.

07/04/2024

It is with a heavy heart that I share news of my own dear Holly's passing. Holly crossed the rainbow bridge on Thursday morning, surrounded by love and family.

Holly was a loyal companion, a source of great joy, and an integral part of my children's lives. From a playful puppy to her mature years, we shared so many adventures. Holly's favorite place to be was in the woods.

I understand first hand the pain of saying goodbye to a beloved pet. The decision to let go is never easy, but it's a compassionate act of love to end suffering and ensure their dignity and peace.

In Holly's final moments, we were surrounded by the compassionate care and support that we strive to provide to all families facing this difficult journey. It's a reminder of the importance of empathy, understanding, and love.

To all of those who have entrusted us with the care of your friend, thank you for allowing us to be a part of their journey. We are here to support you every step of the way, just as I have been supported during this time of loss.

While Holly is no longer by my side, she will live in the hearts of my family forever. I find solace in knowing she is running forever free in the forest.

💙
Emily H