Serenity Vet Services

12/08/2024

MOVING FORWARD, NOT MOVING ON

“Moving forward” or “moving on”. They sound like such similar phrases, don’t they? But in the context of grief the difference between “on” or “forward” is huge.

When you’re grieving for a precious pet – or indeed a person who you love – people will often say things like, “Isn’t it time you moved on?” or “You’ll move on eventually” or even, “I’m glad to see you’ve moved on”.

But the idea of moving on from a loved one can be incredibly distressing.

Moving on implies leaving something behind. It suggests that the animal, for example, was a moment or place that you can put behind you when, in fact, he or she was a member of your family and you’ll never get over that loss – not in the way that moving on implies, anyway.

Read more: http://theralphsiteshop.com/moving-forward-not-moving-on/

10/08/2024

A lovely review from Louis family

28/07/2024

DEALING WITH THE LOSS OF MULTIPLE PETS IN A BRIEF PERIOD

If you’ve experienced the loss of multiple pets within a relatively brief period, you may be feeling overwhelmed.

It’s a surprisingly common scenario because many people have pets who are siblings or similar ages because of the companionship they provide to each other throughout their lives. Sadly, this means the pets reach old age together.

Accidents and even unrelated events and coincidences can also take our animal companions from us in one fell swoop or one after the other.

Dealing with multiple pet losses in quick succession is often confusing and distressing. You may feel like it’s hard to recognise which parts of your grief belong to which animal companion or that you’re doing a disservice to each pet because you can’t focus exclusively on mourning them.

This type of grief even has its own name (or several, in fact); it’s known as “cumulative grief”, “compounded grief”, or “grief overload”.

Read more: https://theralphsiteshop.com/dealing-with-the-loss-of-multiple-pets-in-a-brief-period/

24/07/2024

In shadows long and days so bright,
My loyal friend stays in my sight.
Through joy and sorrow, tears and glee,
Your steadfast heart beats close to me.

A wagging tail, a knowing gaze,
You’ve walked with me through life's dark maze.
No word you speak, yet much you say,
In quiet love, you guide my way.

Your loyalty, a constant flame,
A bond unbroken, ever the same.
In every step and every sigh,
You're by my side, my friend for life.

And though the years may take their toll,
Your faithful spirit warms my soul.
In every bark and gentle paw,
I find the truest love I saw.

So here’s to you, my canine friend,
A loyalty that knows no end.
With every breath, in every part,
You live forever in my heart.

www.oldflattsfarm.co.uk

20/07/2024

SAYING GOODBYE AT HOME - Is this what you do?

As with every aspect of caring for pets, the decision you make should be right for you and your companion – don’t be swayed by other people telling you what’s ‘right’. In our experience, there are a number of considerations to bear in mind if you are thinking about saying goodbye to your pet at home when the time comes.

Read more here:

http://theralphsiteshop.com/pet-euthanasia-at-home/

10/07/2024

A lovely message from Chase’s family

Thankyou for taking such good care of our beloved boy Chase.
Your service was kind and compassionate, making a hard time so much easier.
Vicki was so professional and caring.
Chase was a very loved boy and we all will miss him so very much 💔

07/07/2024

A lovely message from Otto’s family

We just wanted to say thankyou once again for your compassion and care with our Otto last week. He was such a precious soul but it was his time to go with dignity with his head on his mums knee. Thankyou for helping us for the 3rd time

06/07/2024

A lovely message from Marley’s family

Hello.

I just wanted to thank you for the incredible service we received for our late labrador Marely.

Vicki was so caring and compassionate and made the experience as good as it could be. Our wish was for Marley to be at home and it was so peaceful and everything we wanted for him.

The service you provide is impeccable and the speedy return of his ashes was just amazing. we are so glad yo have him home.

I will always recommend you guys.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

05/07/2024

A lovely card from Barrett’s family

05/07/2024

04/07/2024

A lovely card from Frank and Mabel’s family

03/07/2024

A lovely message from Alfie’s family

I would like to thank the staff for their kindness when enquiring about their services.
Most of all a special thank you to Helen when she came to Alfie. Her kindness and empathy was valued at such a sad time especially as Alfie was a troubled boy.
Thank you and we highly recommend you.

24/06/2024

A lovely message from Charlie’s family

Thank you so much to serenity and the lady vet who came out to Charlie.
It was a day I'd been dreading for a long time but the professionalism and the care and compassion we received before during and after made it a little bit easier to deal with.

20/06/2024

A lovely message from Ella’s family

Thankyou for giving us the opportunity to say our final goodbye in the serene way at her home. Our beautiful girl Ella she slipped away peacefully in her favourite spot in the garden with the sun shining on her. Forever in our hearts 🐾

17/06/2024

A lovely message from Max’s family

I just wanted to thank you for your guidance and support through the most difficult decision for our fur baby boy Max. It has and still is the most difficult decision we have ever had to make but we will never forget your kindness. From the initial telephone call to Karen, not knowing what to say, through to Vicki’s home visit, we felt like we had made the right decision for our boy. You are both so kind, professional and human.
As our boy was 14, struggled to walk, was blind & deaf, our wish for him was to go at home, in his favourite room (his dad's garage office) with his family, familiar environment and without causing unnecessary stress. We got our wish.
Max fell asleep peacefully, after a ponder around the garden, in his garage, surrounded by our love. Vicky was so professional, kind and supportive. I am so pleased we found you and our boy went to doggy heaven in the best way possible. Thank you all so much ###

16/06/2024

A lovely message from Milly’s family

We would just like to thank you for the service we received. Absolutely brilliant from start to finish. From the questions regarding the service to the peaceful passing of our beloved dog Milly. The utmost respect was shown throughout space and time was given where needed without the need to ask. A speedy delivery of Milly's ashes gave us great comfort with the added extras of her paw prints for us to treasure forever. Again thanks for the support in an extremely difficult time.

15/06/2024

A lovely review from Prince’s family

Absolutely fantastic. I can't thank them enough for helping Prince pass peacefully at home. It was one of the hardest decisions we've had to make, and thease ladies are so caring. Prince could be funny with strangers trying to mess with him, vicky was fantastic, Prince didn't even know she was there. I just like to say a big thank you, for everything, and for caring for him in his last hours. I definitely recommend them, the highest level of care and understanding to what your going through, even dropped him back off once he'd been cremated, no waiting around, a big thank you to the crematorium for getting me the paw prints and getting my boy home so fast, thank you all, it was a great service ❤️ ###

08/06/2024

THE RIGHT TIME? ASSESSING QUALITY OF LIFE

As pet carers, the decision about whether or not to have a precious animal companion euthanised (or ‘put to sleep’) is one that many of us will have to face. If you have a pet that’s terminally ill or very old, the chances are that the topic of euthanasia will be on your mind.

You may have a lot of questions.

Should you let nature take its course? Is euthanasia preferable to a ‘natural’ death? Will you know when it’s the right time?

The question of timing can be one of the most daunting – we don’t want to let go too soon but what if we leave it too late?

People will often tell you that you’ll know when it’s the ‘right’ time to euthanise a pet but the reality is that it isn’t always obvious, especially if your pet is experiencing a slow decline.

Read more about assessing quality of life here:

http://theralphsiteshop.com/the-right-time-measuring-your-dying-pets-quality-of-life/

07/06/2024

A lovely message from Max’s family

Thank you so much for your kindness and support in giving our beloved Max the most dignified end of life, and for your kindness and reassurance to Max’s family too. You made this difficult process so much easier for us all and was thankfully available at short notice. It’s very much appreciated by us all.

06/06/2024

A lovely message from Jessie’s family

Just a wee note to say a huge thank you for your love, time and care given to help the most precious of souls to pass on yesterday. The fact she was at her home, surrounded by love and peace has been of comfort to us as we grieve. Jessie was our happiest of hellos and our saddest of goodbyes. She lived her best life and loved her life especially when surrounded by her family. Her favourite call was, everyone come sit with Jessie. We will forever miss her but its been a privilege to have her in our lives. Massive thanks Helen for your sweetness. God bless x

05/06/2024

A lovely message from Skye’s family

Thank you for yesterday, Helen was very caring towards me, my partner and Skye.
We was dreading this day but Helen helped us through it and gave us as much time as we needed.
Our lives and hearts are broken but she is with us in our hearts and minds. Out little angel, our world, Skye ❤️

04/06/2024

A lovely message from Charlie’s family

Life just won't be the same without my Charlie boy. By my side for 18 years we're going to miss his demands for food and treats. What I would give to hear him now. My heart is broken but I'm so thankful to have had him in my life for 18 years. Thank you to Vicki who explained everything to us and came to our house to let him pass by our side 🐾🌈

03/06/2024

A lovely message from Bella’s family

I just want to thank you all for such a professional and caring service. From the first message to Helen coming to our house to help us say goodbye to my precious girl and to the lovely lady who bought Bella’s ashes back to us. Such caring ladies. I always knew when the day came it would be horrendous but although I am more heartbroken than I ever thought possible serenity made it just that little bit bearable and gave my beautiful baby girl the dignified goodbye she deserved. My heart will be forever broken but I am so grateful for the most loved filled 13 and half years ❤️

01/06/2024

A lovely message from Rocky’s family

I just want to say a huge thank you for the kindness/compassion shown to me and my family on the passing of my best boy.
From the initial message contact to the lovely lady who delivered his ashes.
Thank you so much for making it so peaceful for us/him, from Rocky’s family x

24/05/2024

A lovely message from Tia’s family

Hi Vicki, I just want to say thank you again for coming to help tia when she needed it. No time is ever right, but time isn’t in our favour. 15 short years I had her, it breaks my heart but I knew it was her time. I can’t say how grateful I am that she passed at home with me in her own surroundings and not a vets room. My heart breaks and I think it always will 💔 also want to say a Thankyou to the lady that I seen today when I collected tia’s ashes, she was lovely and she gives a lovely hug when in need ❤️

23/05/2024

A lovely message from Tia’s family

Hi , I want to say a huge thank you for your professional service last week for my girl Tia.
We miss her dearly but know it was the right time for us to say goodbye.
Thank you Vicki for your time and patience. We appreciate it. Tia was in her own bed surrounded by family and passed away peacefully.

22/05/2024

A lovely message from Fudge’s family

Thank you so much to everyone at Serenity Vets As much as we all miss fudge we know it was the right time for him, we received his ashes back so he’s finally back with Poppy. ❤️ x

21/05/2024

A lovely message from Alfie’s family

Hi we'd just like to thank you all for the lovely service that we received. It's the hardest thing we'll ever have to do. Vicki was lovely, showing empathy and kept the situation light which helped immensely. The house feels empty but our hearts are full of memories of our little man ❤️💔❤️🌈🐶

20/05/2024

A lovely review from Albi’s family

I cannot recommend enough. Vicki came out to put our 15 year old dog to sleep. It was carried out in a such a professional and caring way. Whilst upsetting, the fact that it was in our own garden and Albi was not stressed out at the vets was comforting for both us and more importantly our dog.

19/05/2024

Our dogs Lily and Loki enjoying their first swimming lesson ❤️