Dr. Meredith Galbraith House Calls for Pets

09/12/2021

A worthy read for those who struggle with "when"

A good death. That is our responsibility to the animals under our care, if we can possibly give them one. It isn't always possible - they get lost, hit by a car, burned by a fire, swept away in a

21/08/2021

This resonates deeply

I’ve been working in the veterinary field since I was 15 years old. I witnessed my first euthanasia just two hours into the job.  It struck me in

09/07/2021

Supporting a pet through the end of life is like caring for a baby. Relentless needs are constantly evolving, feeding and pooping take front and center, and sleep is disrupted. Both situations are heavy with love and sacrifice, but they move our hearts in opposite directions. While a newborn promise...

01/06/2021

Safe journey Rumble

Even as you were dying, you were perfect. The way you politely paced in the middle of the night to see if one of us might be sleeping…

17/10/2020

The loss of a pet can be a profound experience for some people. But there are some things you can do to emotionally prepare.

17/10/2020

Deciding to put down your best mate is never easy. But there are helpful considerations that can provide guidance during this emotional time.

28/09/2020

Without inadvertently causing more pain or minimizing their loss.

08/09/2020

What a true statement . . .

(Photo courtesy of I ❤️ Dogs)

28/06/2020

Please remember that this is a time to be kind to yourself.

Grieving for our companion animals is hard, here are seven strategies to help.

10/06/2020

My years as an emergency veterinarian have shown me the relief that assisted death can bring.

21/05/2020

Navigating the loss of a companion animal is a challenging and painful experience on it’s own, however when grief is interrupted a painful experience can be intensified. As the pandemic of COVID-19…

13/05/2020

Ben

25/04/2020

♥️

24/03/2020

Telehealth is a safe option for help with end-of-life decision-making, especially at times like this when physical distancing is so vital.

The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) has published a list of recommended telehealth providers. PetHospice has been offering families virtual consults focused on quality of life for 3 years now, and we are grateful to be included!

Learn about our services here: https://www.pethospice.com/virtual-care

17/03/2020

Grief is just love with no place to go.

Every Monday night around the world people light a candle in memory of pet’s they’ve lost. Please light a candle and remember. Share a photo of a pet you’re missing
Rainbowbridge.com @ 9 PM
Mondaycandleceremony.com @ 10 PM

26/01/2020

Choosing when is the hardest part. But choosing when gives us a say in how - safely, peacefully, intimately connected. Think about what truly matters and trust yourself to get this right - a life well-lived all the way to the end.

A good death. That is our responsibility to the animals under our care, if we can possibly give them one. It isn't always possible - they get lost, hit by a car, burned by a fire, swept away in a

18/01/2020

With so much love and friendship along the way... 💗

31/10/2019

Thank you Dale. So well said.

pet euthanasia

03/10/2019

I wish I knew you Gus. In a way I think I do. Dogs like you fill my heart to bursting.

IN MEMORIAM: We do not generally share these but this one moved us so...

Gustavo, "Gus," Klinkner passed peacefully after a courageous battle with trying to be a good boy.

Born pure bread and all weim, he spent his first few years in and out of foster care as he simply outgrew the hearts of well-meaning humans.

In 2011, he met the Klinkners and knew that finally someone understood: he wasn't a bad dog, he was just really hungry.

Proving an old dog actually can learn new tricks, Gus spent the better half of his life exploring the joys of being canine. He mastered total pillow domination, and the art of morphing to the exact dimensions of a king-sized bed. He learned to take the lid off the food bin, the lid off the garbage can, and the lid off the Tupperware container with the cinnamon rolls inside. He helped around the house by clearing and washing the dishes, even when people weren't done eating. And he helped his owners with their weight-loss journey by clearing the counter of a pizza, an entire chicken, a pan of enchiladas, and a half-sheet birthday cake (it was not his birthday.) He couldn't sit, shake, speak, or roll over . . . but he could lap whipped cream straight from the can and had a masterful disappearing act whenever he heard the bath water running.

Gus took seriously his call to protect and serve. He never let a doorbell ring without his direct intervention, always warned the neighborhood when the winds were high, and restricted the squirrels to a designated tree line. He knew to never trust a solicitor in a suit or people who exercise in padded spandex. He daily inspected the foundation of the house by digging a six foot hole, and protected his family from any potential suffocation by removing the stuffing from every comforter they ever owned.

Gus loved deeply, snored loudly, and always let you know exactly what he was thinking. His affection for his people was as intense as his affection for their hamburgers.

Gus is survived by a headless stuffed bunny, a rattle snake sans squeakers, a de-stuffed fox, and a heartbroken family that just wishes they would have remembered to give him the last piece of bacon this morning.

The day Gus's former owner handed him off to the Klinkners, she sighed deeply and said, "I think I told you all the bad things about him." However, she failed to mention that he was in fact the very best bad dog to ever have lived.

In lieu of flowers, Gus's family is requesting that you spend this week eating the donuts, sharing the bacon, and making room on the bed. And most importantly, spend all of your days giving second chances. Because two-legged or four everyone deserves to be loved to their fullest potential.

31/08/2019

(Courtesy of Jaymi Heimbuch)

11/08/2019

💓💯💓

08/07/2019

Creating an emotional environment of peace and acceptance can be a beautiful way to part and to honor your bond.

01/07/2019

Many pet owners understand this but not everybody does. That is why it is so important to seek comfort and understanding from people who get this, and to eschew the uninformed opinions of those who just don't. As you feel these feelings (that need to be felt) recognize that you are not alone. So many people have been where you are now and they understand if you feel your heart is permanently broken. Many who initially felt overwhelmed by grief found things that helped them cope. Now is a time to be kind to yourself, and take care of yourself, and let in those whom you trust to take care with your wounded heart.

Ask any pet owner about their pet and theyll say how amazing and awesome having a new best friend is. Pets are the perfect company. Theyre always happy to see their owners. Whether theyre gone for five minutes or five hours, their pets will be waiting eagerly at the door to welcome them home. They.....

20/06/2019

Deciding to put your pet down is an incredibly difficult decision to make. Dr. Andy Roark offers advice on when to euthanize a pet and what's best for them.

09/06/2019

💖💖

09/06/2019

Rayner-Shine, my all-weather friend, Houston-van Berkel the First, “Rain” for short By Dr. Doreen Houston, DVM, OVC 1980 I still remember the phone call one day in December 1999 when I was away from home on business. A veterinary colleague called me with a plea to adopt a rescued four-month-old ...

08/06/2019

He did his greatest educating in old age, showing our family how to live with infirmities and without self-pity, and in the end, how dying and dead are different things.

05/06/2019

By Dr. Renee Fleming, DVM, OVC Class of 2004 I remember the day we brought Emma home. I was in my first year of veterinary school at the Ontario Veterinary College when my husband John and I welcomed our beautiful, wrinkly, snorting (and sometimes stinky!) English Bull-dog into our home and hearts.....

25/05/2019

On this Memorial Weekend, remember the moments that you once shared. Embrace the memories, whether they be happy or sad, funny or painful, serious or just plain goofy. They are what you have now, always keep them close to your heart. Blessings from our family to you and your family ❣️

23/04/2019