Melissa Shapiro, DVM

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Melissa Shapiro, DVM

Vet School for Kids! Small animal vet teaching kids (and adults) to care for and about their pets.

Co-creator of the Piglet Mindset Educational Program which is supported by the nonprofit Piglet International Inc. We teach children to be resilient, inclusive, and kind with free online educational materials that feature my dog Piglet, the deaf blind pink puppy. Piglet is a very positive dog who is an amazing growth mindset teaching model for children and adults! Piglet and our 7 other rescued do

gs set an example for being accepting, inclusive, and kind, which is why we call them Piglet's Inclusion Pack. Visit our website PigletMindset.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to learn more. My veterinary house call practice offers in home end of life veterinary care for dogs and cats in lower Fairfield County, CT. (FB page- Melissa Shapiro, DVM, website- visitingvetservice.com). I offer in home quality of life consulting, short and long term in home hospice care, and in home euthanasia services for dogs and cats. As animals near the end of their lives we provide families and their pets with comfort, palliative therapy, and if appropriate, euthanasia in their own homes. When possible, meeting with families and patients prior to a euthanasia visit allows for a smooth transition to the final visit. Assessment of older dogs and cats in their home gives a more realistic view of how they are doing and what they need than when they are brought in to an animal hospital. I am available to consult with families when they have questions about quality of life, keeping their pets comfortable and happy for as long as possible, and the timing of euthanasia for their geriatric or ill pets. I am sensitive to the concerns and emotions of the family during this difficult time and will work closely with the regular veterinarian as the need arises. For more information about our practice, visit our website, visitingvetservice.com or e-mail [email protected].

11/10/2025

I found this bird sitting on a sidewalk in Freeport Maine. He was obviously stunned from hitting a large glass window. He sat still as I picked him up and wrapped him in a tissue. I had three dogs on leashes and two in a stroller. I was worried about my prey driven crazy girls grabbing him but they actually were very considerate of my bird loving instincts to help this sweet adorable little guy.

I put him in my pocket and walked down the street to a nice wooded spot. When I took him out to check on him he was alert and looking around. He sat on my hand for a couple of minutes collecting himself before he felt ready to take off back into nature.

It was truly a magical moment to get to help such a beauty. Holding him perched on my finger was such a nice reward.

I was worried that if he fell to the ground my dogs might feel the need to grab him so I turned my camera off a second before he took off into the woods. I will just say that it was the sweetest release ever.

He flew so fast straight into the colorful leaves I lost sight of him immediately.

Would you have stopped to pick this bird up if you saw him on the sidewalk?

Cynical question- Would you have designed a whole shopping area and downtown filled with huge glass windows that invite birds to crash into them?

This was an amazing moment for me to get to help this bird but finding a bird that didn't survive a crash an hour earlier was ultra sad.

🩷🐦‍⬛🩷🐦‍⬛🩷

07/10/2025

Pictures of dogs and scenes from the past are triggers for warm and also sad feelings. This first one of our tiny deafblind dog Piglet with his favorite best friend ever Susie is one of those pics.

Susie was a true family dog. She wasn't any one person's dog. She loved everyone and was kind and generous to whoever she was with. She had no favorites bc she truly loved everyone with all her heart.

She came to us when we had two older dogs Wendy and Lucy. A few years later she found herself an only dog which made her very sad. So we had no choice but to get her a new puppy. That was Gina.

And then, Dean, Annie, Evie, and Zoey over only a few years. Each added dog was like a prize for her. The more the merrier. She is the reason we ended up with 6 and then 7 dogs.

Piglet was teeny and anxious. She couldn't get enough of him and he appreciated all of her love and attention. Their friendship was one to cherish and remember bc it had such an impact on little Piglet. But while she was everything to him, she maintained her sweet bond with Deanie and Annie who no doubt still miss her.

No earth-shattering message here other than to say that there's something so so special about having a group of dogs who truly love being part of their dog family. I would have been find to stop at 3 but there was such a draw to add more bc things were so amazing with each additional dog.

Experiencing dogs who get along and are into doing things together is awesome. It doesn't happen all the time. I've had multi dog packs where the dogs are good with each other but would prefer to be alone.

This group that we have had ongoing for almost 15 years is one of those that makes having dogs such a wonderful way to live.

03/10/2025

I never wanted a large group of dogs. Over the years, as our dog pack number grew I always said that 6, then 7, and then 8 dogs was too much. I still tell myself that we need to have less dogs bc it takes so much time and energy to give each dog what they need. I'm getting older, we can only take so many dogs into a hotel or a school, and people think we are crazy.

All that said, today, I finally came to the realization that the reason I have 7 dogs is that I want 7 dogs. When I had 8 dogs I said it was too much. We got Georgie as our number 8 and initially I was against it. But- he is the most awesome little guy. I can't imagine not wanting him.

When I see my dogs getting older, one of the things I thought I would welcome, despite the devastation of losing them, is having less dogs. But the reality is that each dog brings so much into the family and into my own life that from this point on I'm going to be really honest with myself and anyone who questions or makes some kind of comment about how crazy it is to have so many dogs.

I love having a group of dogs. I would keep this group forever if I could but the reality is that they are getting old and we are going to face some big losses in the next couple of years.

I'm not saying that I'm looking to replace my current dogs. But I need to stop putting pressure on myself to feel like I have to fit into someone else's definition of what the right number of dogs is. Some people have lots of shoes, cars, skis, houses, and go on lots of vacations. I don't make judgements about others doing things I wouldn't want to do.

I don't want to go to the movies or go out to eat. I am here most of the time for the dogs to walk them and give them my time, love, and energy. Going to the beach with a at full of dogs like I did today was refreshing and just what I needed. (Finally the beaches here are open to dogs.)

Would it be nice to go out here and there without having to worry about leaving them? Yes. And that's why we have good reliable pet sitters for when we're out for a long time and we can't take our dogs with us.

So- there. Now I've said it. Having lots of dogs is awesome.🩷

29/09/2025

Saying "At least you have a bunch of other dogs to keep you company" to someone who has lost a beloved dog is not helpful. In fact, contrary to what would seem logical, at least for me, losing a dog that is part of the fabric of a beautifully woven dog pack is exponentially more difficult to process and manage than if they were an only dog.

When our little Susie died 4 1/2 years ago I couldn't figure out how I could be so so sad. But after a while, I realized that seeing my other 6 dogs without her there with them was a constant reminder of the loss. It took years after Susie left for me not to cry when I did certain key activities with the dogs throughout the day.

Losing my beautiful Gina this past April was even worse. Now two are missing and it is unbearable even 5 months later. The sadness comes in waves but every time I go out of the house, take the dogs for walks, go upstairs to bed at night, or give the dogs cookies, there she isn't.

I really am dreading the next loss which is likely to be Dean. So in addition to missing Gina and Susie too, I'm now looking forward to what it's going to be like without Deanie, and then Annie and Evie...

Why do I need to do this to myself? I have no idea. I think I need to look further than my own experiences and guidelines for managing pet loss. I think I'm helpful to my clients and friends but I'm not doing a good job with myself.

The point here is that even though there is no empty house or lack of dog after losing my Gina, the empty space is gaping with only small steps being made towards it filling in any time soon.

I'm wondering how others feel on this issue.

23/09/2025

Yes that's me holding my little Deafblind dog Georgie.

Not much of a picture for Instagram, right?

But there's a lot of background here that makes me feel good, emotional, and vulnerable.

Good-bc I am so lucky to have Georgie, Piglet, and a whole group of rescued dogs who can't get enough of being with me. They provide such comfort and bring such joy to my life. I can't imagine being anywhere without at least one or a few of them.

Emotional- bc I was at my ... year vet school reunion which brought back some very special and deep emotions. Becoming a veterinarian was my main life goal from the time I was 6. There was no backup plan so thankfully I was able to fulfill my dream at Purdue. No regrets and still mostly enjoying my vet work.

Vulnerable-bc I actually rely on having my dogs with me for support. I admit it. If I can't bring them, I don't want to go. No, I don't mean everywhere, but almost, and especially when we travel.

When I was in vet school, my dog April was with me all the time. Even when it wasn't allowed, no one bothered to call me out bc she was such an exceptional dog. And I must have seemed like I needed her.

So there I was at my vet school with a different dog, but still a dog. In fact, I was there with 3 dogs in a stroller- Piglet, Lucy, and Georgie. We kept a low profile bc while the dogs are always open to being the stars of the show, ironically, bc we were at a vet school, this really wasn't their type of venue.

Most everyone there left dogs at home. I'm the only nut case who couldn't leave home without them. That's ok with me bc if I hadn't brought then I would have stayed home and would have missed out on a really nice reunion with some very special old friends.🩷

21/09/2025

Reminder that tomorrow night is our Deaf, Blind, and Deafblind dog Zoom webinar.

Highly recommended! Sign up on the events page of Pigletmindset.org. Or on the link in our stories!

13/09/2025

As I'm trying to get used to not having a big white deaf herding dog for the second time in a few months, I can't help but reflect back on the many dogs who have led me to the extremely amazing place I am now, at least in regards to my dogs and my work life.

When I met my once in a million lifetimes dog April at Purdue before I got into vet school, the last thing I would have ever guessed is that her beautiful white coat would hook me into wanting another, which led me to my beautiful Gina. (Run on sentence, I know and don't care!)

Adopting Gina brought me directly to Piglet, the deaf blind pink puppy bc he came from the same rescue. By the time Piggy came along we had 6 dogs and did not want or need anymore. Although we actually did bc if we hadn't adopted Piglet, I would not be posting on Instagram every day and we would not know each other!

We also wouldn't have touched the lives of thousands of children each year through Piglet's Piglet Mindset Ed Program, and we wouldn't be advocating for and fundraising for disabled dogs.

We would be happy bc the dogs we had and still have are awesome. They didn't need public life to make them awesome, but I thoroughly enjoy sharing them and info about dogs through my social media accounts.

This is an abbreviated version of the impact dogs of the past continue to have on my present life.

Reflecting back is a good healthy thing to do. It ties things together in the most satisfying heartwarming way.🩷🐾🩷🐾🩷🐾🩷

Note- I don't usually post so many pics of me like this but the post is about me and my dogs so there you have it.

12/09/2025

If you have a dog, this webinar is for you.
Sign up here.

https://pigletinternational.networkforgood.com/events/90252-deaf-blind-and-deafblind-dogs-young-and-old-differences-in-care

10/09/2025

I've always loved dogs. There have been many over my lifetime. Probably way more than the average person gets to experience and enjoy.

There have been life changing dogs and moments I cherish forever. And there has been heartbreak that's hard to endure. Loss and grief are part of the game of dogs and while we accept that it is inevitable, we dread it, worry about it, and lose sleep over it far and above what seems normal.

Yet, we come back for more, at least I do, because life with dogs is so much better than without.

I never intended to have more than 2-3 dogs. Somehow, between Warren and me, we've maintained a pack of 7-8 dogs for a long time. It is too many dogs for most, but in our case, the many dogs we've adopted melt together like a well oiled machine. They love each other and they enjoy being together. They are well behaved when necessary and they bring exponential love and fun to our lives.

Having one special dog was wonderful but I have no regrets about ending up with 8. I've gotten to save and love so many more than if I had stuck to my/our original plan.

10 weeks ago I drove to and from Ohio to bring home Baby Betty, a deaf Aussie puppy after the loss of my Gina. Long story told in earlier posts, the puppy's instincts and needs were so far from what we could provide that we came to the crushing decision to rehome her.

The rational objective veterinarian me has no regrets about the course of Baby B in our family, but the emotional dog mom me is truly devastated. I'm happy I was able to pull her from a very poor situation in MI. I poured every ounce of me into caring for her for 9 weeks, eventually realizing the stress for her and me was an indicator that while we love each other, the match is too far off.

I have seen dogs who were kept despite a very poor fit. Everyone suffers. I couldn't do that long term to my puppy, my other dogs, my husband, or me. And that is why even tho I'm crying bc I miss her, I'm standing by my decision to have her move her on.

Indicators that it was for the best- she is happy where she's living, my little dogs are happily back to themselves, and I'm feeling more relief than I thought possible.🩷🐾🩷

01/08/2025

Baby Betty is a handful of dog. There is nothing small about her. At 17 weeks she is 23 pounds with big feet and a long tail to grow into. She has her moments of calm but she doesn't miss a thing- everything goes into her mouth so she can experience textures and tastes. This includes her older brother and sister dogs.

Baby B runs like a big dog but her joints are still lax bc she's still a very young puppy. We encourage her to keep her feet on the ground rather than jumping like an Aussie.

She IS settling down- she doesn't bark as much in our small kitchen when we walk away to do laundry or take the garbage out. The house crate is still an issue but needed at times bc she chews everything in sight. She's been good with the car crate from the very beginning. She is a very observant smart dog.

Her separation issues are rooted in anxiety but I also think she's a control freak due to her herding dog nature. She would organize my file cabinet by color folders if she could. She wants her soccer balls to be together so she has me kick them to her so she can organize them!

I lost my Beautiful Gina 3 months ago. I had no intention of adding another like her this soon. I thought it would help in the healing process but truthfully, while this puppy does provide some comfort, she actually makes me more sad at times as she reminds me so much of what I lost.

Looking back, when I saw Betty's picture on a text, the decision to bring her home was really an isolated lapse of judgement that was not related to my grief. I try to keep my relationship with the two dogs separate in my mind. But there are so many distinct similarities it's hard not to compare in a good way.

It's all very confusing at times. On one level getting a new dog too soon really clouds the grieving process. When I realized that could be happening I moved my grief for my Gina to a different place. I can be sad and miss her deeply while still being present and enjoying my new puppy. Of course there are moments when I have buyers remorse bc taking care of this puppy is a full time job and there are other dogs who are also so important in my life!

Yes, random thoughts.🩷🐾🩷

24/07/2025

My new deaf double merle Aussie puppy is strikingly beautiful. I have been asked by more than one person how much I paid for her, insinuating that I bought her from a breeder. It's kind of cringy that people automatically assume that bc she is such a good looking white/merle dog that she isn't a rescue dog.

The truth is that I don't think she was physically abused. She wasn't starved or dumped out in a field. There are no dramatic rescue videos for little Betty. Her story won't be told by the Dodo bc thankfully, there was no drama.

But- and it's a big but, make no mistake about her rescue status. The guy that bred her litter sold her to someone who returned her when they realized she was deaf. The "breeder" had already surrendered Betty's blind sister to rescue. Thankfully he contacted the foster in MI and told her that if they didn't take Betty too he would "just sho0t her".

Thank you to Michelle and Alyssa in MI and Allison from a pawsavers for saving our deaf puppy Betty. The people who were willing to toss her bc of her disability, being deaf, have missed out on a precious sweet dog.

Yes- she is a challenging handful right now bc she is an active large herding breed puppy. But the deaf part? Eh. She is ready and waiting to learn her hand signals and everything else a dog like her is into.

When I walk her down the street she reminds me of my last beautiful double merle Aussie Gina who was dumped when she was 10 weeks old bc she was deaf in one ear. I miss her so deeply that even tho I wasn't really ready for another one like her, this baby is bringing some relief from the pain of losing Gina.

My point is that while none of my deaf and blind dogs have rescue drama, they have back stories of cruelty that is hard to fathom, starting from the idiots who chose to breed their dogs to create disabled dogs that can't see and hear.

My Betty, Piglet, Georgie, and Gina didn't need to be deaf and blind. Spay and neuter is the number one way to prevent double merle disabled puppies.

But once they are here, a little kindness and compassion from people who were responsible for bringing them into the world wouldn't have been a big stretch.

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https://www.visitingvetservice.com/vet-school-for-kids

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