Home Vet NI

18/11/2024

RIP Tess ❤️ 🐾 🌈

17/11/2024

🖤In Loving memory🖤

🤍Pets are a privilege to own, they enrich our lives in so many ways. Their unconditional love, their trust and devotion and their loyalty and characters give us so much. Whether they are with us only a short time, or for what feels like a lifetime the memories we make with our pets will be cherished forever.

🖤You may not think about it, but veterinary professionals often experience some emotional burdens from the loss of pets too. Many will look back and remember numerous patients, who they cared for deeply. They may also experience burden transfer. This emerges from a wide range of different veterinarian-client interactions that occur when that client is providing care for a sick pet.

🤍These include situations like the veterinary professional needing to preform euthanasia, or working with clients who are experiencing anticipatory grief.

🖤There is an emotional paradox in the veterinary world. One we haven't quite got the hang of yet. A paradox that entails the need for emotional involvement with our patients, but at the same time we need the ability to detach in order to survive emotionally.

🤍This job is tough. We laugh with you at those silly characters, and we cry with you when we lose a patient. Sometimes we think about your pets all night and can’t sleep. Sometimes we run over cases again and again. And often we think about pets who we have brought into this world, and pets we have allowed to pass peacefully too.

🖤So here is a post to remember all those, whose owners and veterinary professionals alike look back on and smile, remembering all the happy times, all the love and memories.

🤍In loving memory🤍

17/11/2024

✨️SAVE THE DATE✨️

I know it's may seem ages away, but I'm excited to share the news. After a very successful event earlier this year, we have decided to do our Pet Memorial Walk again on 2025!

This year was our first time ever organising something like this, and I was absolutely blown away at the turnout.

Anyone who has experienced the loss of a pet, will understand how devastating and debilitating it can be. Grief from pet loss is very rarely talked about so it can feel lonely when going through it. Having so many people who understood this pain, come to the walk, really helped me personally with my grief, to know I wasn't alone. I know many others felt the same as we shared a few tears along with happy memories that day.

So we will do it all again on Saturday the 21st of June- put it in your diaries now. I want to make it even bigger and better than before!

We will again be raising money for a local charity, which will be announced very soon.

Will you be coming along?!

17/11/2024

Two tired girls today after an eventful day yesterday.

The terrible two decided to make a break for it and go for a visit to our neighbours across the field while we were out!!

After playing ball with our neighbours, they reluctantly came home, delighted with the adventure they had!

They are grounded for the foreseeable 🙈

Has your pet done anything mischievous? 🐾

13/11/2024

I am sure many of you have been eagerly awaiting for updates on little Chance. I am so glad to see some positive news about her recovery. Let hope she continues to get better each day. 🤞

Well done to everyone involved 👏 🐾

11/11/2024

It is about time I introduced our Dungannon based vet, Orla!

Since graduating from Glasgow vet school in 1998, Orla has worked in mixed practices in N. Ireland specialising in companion animal care. A love of sheep and cats inspired Orla to become a vet, and her flock of pedigree sheep and menagerie of pets provide ongoing companionship and plenty of drama! As a mother of 3 boys, life is busy, but Orla enjoys sewing & crafts, cooking, baking, and beachcombing in Donegal.

Orla believes Home Vet NI gives families choice at a difficult time, and it is a privilege to be part of the Home Vet NI team, allowing pets to pass away with dignity surrounded by home comforts.

Orla has been with us since May, so she has already helped many families to say goodbye to their pets with us. She has also been a great support to me in this time, especially when my own chickens decide to test my poultry disease knowledge.

I hope you will all join me in welcoming Orla to the Home Vet NI team 💙🐾🌈👏

10/11/2024

There's definitely no room for me this morning 🤣🐾🐶

09/11/2024

You can' leave your spot on our sofa for a minute without one of the dogs taking it.

This is Willow just after I came back from sticking on the kettle 🤣 I love how Summer is stopping me from getting her off, and Willow doesn't even lift her head like she can't hear me. Her waggy tail gives her away though!

Do any of you pets love the sofa? We have two big dog beds in this room, yet they much prefer the sofa.

I think I'll have to sit in the dog bed myself 😬🤣🐾

Let's see your 'sofa' pets ⬇️

06/11/2024

For my beautiful boy Dodi, I miss you. I shared this poem on this day last year as he was really slowing down. I think I knew we didn't have long left together 💙🐾

You’ve been my faithful friend for years
Through joy and sorrow, love and tears
You’ve shared my life, my home, my heart
And I can’t imagine us apart

But time has changed your fur to gray
And slowed your steps along the way
You’re not as young as you once were
And sometimes you may need a nudge

But don’t you worry, my dear pup
I’ll always be here to lift you up
I’ll cherish every moment we spend
And love you till the very end

You’re still my precious, loyal mate
And age can never change our fate
You’re more than just a dog to me
You’re part of my family

04/11/2024

Look what I spotted in M&S this evening 😍

This would be a great present for anyone who loves dogs or cats (hint hint Barry 😉)

Have you spotted anything similar in the shops? I'm always looking out for animal themed gifts 🎁

03/11/2024

RIP Alfie 💙🐾🌈

03/11/2024

I still hear your feet on the floor and look for you in the empty bed 💔

They saw you watching over them
As they finally closed their eyes
They smelt your scent as they breathed
In and out for the last time

They heard the way your voice broke
As you told them they were loved
They felt you as you held them
With your gentle, farewell touch

And now they watch each morning
As you pass their empty bed
They watch you lose composure
And they see the tears you shed

They hear you bear the silence
Of the footsteps that are gone
That walk across your heart each day
Like echoes of a song

They feel the pang of emptiness
You get when you’re alone
In moments when you realise
That they’re never coming home

But in their darkest moment
You were there to hold them tight
And they just want the same for you
So you can feel alright

So they’re sewing you a rainbow,
Weaving ribbons through the sky
So they can let you know
That life is good beyond goodbye

So next time it is raining
And the sun appears as well
Just feel and look and listen
To what they are trying to tell

They’re telling you it’s spring there
With its showers and its sun
Where there are endless fields for them
To play and stretch and run

They’re telling you they sleep upon
The biggest, softest beds
That they have stitched from all the clouds
That float above your head

They’re telling you they’re not alone
For there are many others
And they’ve been reunited
With their parents, sisters, brothers

They’re showing you their rainbow
So you know they won’t forget you
And to tell you they will always be
So happy that they met you

And they’re telling you they love you
And though they’ll be dearly missed,
Not to worry, ‘cause it’s beautiful
Beyond the rainbow bridge

******

Becky Hemsley 2022
I simply never tire of these beautiful illustrations by lucyclaireillustration

Sending love to you if you are missing a beloved pet today. They love us purely and unconditionally and to have known that feeling is quite simply beautiful 🐾🌈

This poem is in my book for grief and loss:
https://amzn.eu/d/cTbydMN

31/10/2024

Halloween can be a fun time for many, but for our pets, it can be very scary! I've put together some tips for keeping our pets happy and healthy at this time of year:

1. Hide the treats! Chocolate and sugar free sweets containing xylitol can be toxic to our pets so make sure they are kept out of reach.

2. Be considerate with costumes. Some pets like dressing up but it can cause stress for others. If your pet seems uncomfortable or stressed in a costume, it may be better to let them wear their 'birthday suit'.

3. Use elecric candles in pumpkins instead of real ones. Cats and dogs could knock these over and burn themselves or cause a fire.

4. Keep pets away from trick or treaters. Having lots of strangers in costumes come to the front door can make even the most social dogs and cats anxious.

5. Make sure your pet is microchipped and the details are up to date. Scared pets sometimes get out and run away. Microchips give your pet the best chance of being reunited with their owner.

6. Walk your dog in the daytime before any fireworks start.

7. Pull the curtains and put the TV or radio on to drown out the noise of fireworks.

8. Make sure your pet has a quiet space where they feel safe. They may choose to hide behind a sofa or under a table, leave them here if that's what they choose.

9. If your pet has severe anxiety with fireworks, seek advice from your vet. There are treatments to help, some of which need to be started before Halloween night. So the sooner you seek advice, the better for your pet.

Hope you and your pets have a Happy Halloween 🎃

PS how cool is my pumpkin made by my husband??

31/10/2024

Happy Halloween from my little witch and vampire 🧙‍♀️ 👻 🎃

Don't forget that Halloween can be difficult for pets. People coming to the door in costumes and loud fireworks can be scary for them. Also, lots of the treats we enjoy at this time of year are toxic for our four legged friends, so keep these out of reach!

We hope you all have a happy Halloween 🎃👻 🧙‍♀️

30/10/2024

RIP Bruno 💙🐾🌈

29/10/2024

Today is National Cat day 🐱🐈‍⬛

I dont have many photos of our girl Inca as she is very shy. She has been with me since university when she was found as a tiny kitten, only a few weeks old, abandoned and very sick. Thankfully, she pulled through and came to live with us. She is about 12 now.

Let's celebrate our feline friends below by putting their picture in the comments 🐾❤️

27/10/2024

RIP Jessie 🩷🐾🌈