Melissa Shapiro, DVM

11/07/2025

We had a bit of a scare with our Baby Betty B the other night. As you might know, she is a double Merle Aussie which is why she is mostly white, deaf, and has very abnormal eyes. Her eyes are a very pretty icy blue but don't be fooled. They are an emergency waiting to happen.

I'm with this puppy literally all day long. So I noticed right away when her left eye was turning brown.

Since I have other double Merle dogs, unfortunately I am familiar with uveitis, inflammation in the eye. This is considered an emergency bc uveitis, inflammation, can lead to increased pressure in the eye, loss of sight, pain, and the need for enucleation.

Thankfully in our case, Betty was given an oral antiinflammatory medication which along with one drop of steroids for the eye, the inflammation subsided over about 5 hours.

You can see the progression in these pics and videos.

Normal, inflamed, then improvement, and clearing to show her pretty blue eyes again.

We'll be keeping a close eye on our Baby Betty.
Literally!

06/07/2025

Over my now long life with dogs, there have been well over 20 personal dogs.

Each one came at a certain time in a special way. There was a first dog who will forever be the most special for being my first. And our family dogs who our children will remember as their firsts.

There are the empty nest dogs who we added as our kids went off to college- 2 per kid. Who does that?

Then there are the disabled rescued dogs that somehow we were deemed the only ones who could care for- as if! Not true but let's face it, our little deafblind boys are not beginner dogs.

Gina was a particularly challenging white double merle Aussie Border Collie mix who I had to have, against our better judgement at the time. Why? The answer is in these pictures of my once in a million lifetimes dog Beautiful April, my vet school dog who was made diabetic in a research lab. If I could have kept only one dog for my whole life, she would have been the one. Sorry to the others that came after her but she satisfied all of my dog mom needs in the best ways possible. Her whole story is told in my Piglet memoir book.

But thanks to April, who lived to be 17 years old, I longed to have another white herding dog. Gina was not April but I found her bc of April. And Beautiful Gina was just as special in her own way.

One week ago I drove 16 hours in one day to bring home our next white herding dog Betty. She has no idea why she was chosen. We were set against adding any new dogs right now. But, when I saw her picture and heard her story all rational reasoning was lost.

Baby Betty is a wild and crazy girl but there are moments, more and more in only the first week, where I get a glimpse of the calm and grounded girl she probably will become. She won't be Jeannie or April, but she certainly she has their beauty white coat and herding dog personality that is distinct and special. If you've had a dog like this, you probably understand why we have allowed a puppy to turn our lives upside down, for now.

04/07/2025

After losing an older or terminally ill dog, many people say they'll never get another bc they can't imagine going through the heartache of losing them again. Understandable.

But most dog people end up with another dog at some point- some sooner than later.

When's the right time to add a new dog after a loss? And how do we choose which dog gets to have the very important special spot in our heart?

We made it just over two months before reluctantly bringing in another double Merle herding dog. This wasn't in our long term plan but once I saw her picture and heard her story, there was no turning back.

For good or bad, other than her size, our Baby Betty is so much like Baby Gina it's shocking.

What's the likelihood of two dogs hating a dog crate in the house but being ok in the car crate? Two dogs with similar mannerisms like the sweet turn at the top of the stairs, looking to their person, same positions when they sleep, counter surfing in the same exact spot, 14 years apart, same loving their big brother, and wanting to organize all dog pack activities.

Baby Betty isn't just a new addition. We have our dog preferences but in this case, she was chosen bc of the type of dog she is and her similarities to the dog we miss so deeply.

This may not be a good way to choose a new puppy. There are so many important factors to consider. But as big of a challenge as she is, her settled side is definitely comforting and helping fill the big gap left by our original Beauty.

BTW-Gina was deaf in one ear with mild vision issues. Betty is deaf with mild vision issues. They were bred and born in rural areas where backyard breeding is too common.

Here are pics of both girls. Can you tell who's who?

24/06/2025

Here's a question that comes up almost every time I go to a home for an old dog euthanasia appointment.

Where should the other dog or dogs be during the procedure and then after?

The answer, in my experience, depends on a few things- the dog's feeling towards a visitor, how in tune they are with the older dog at that time, if they voluntarily lay down nearby, or if they are completely oblivious to the overall emotions of the family.

Some family members feel it is important for the other dog to be present during euthanasia for their dog sib, and others insist that the other dogs be removed from the area, sometimes to come back at the end, and other times not.

I don't have a hard and fast rule. I have observed dogs genuinely concerned, supporting the older dog by snuggling with them or positioning themselves to support their older friend. And other playfully stepping all over the older dog.

At the end, when we are removing the dog who has been euthanized, some of the other dogs will come over to sniff, walk out to the car, and comfort and be comforted by their human family. It can be very moving to experience this kind of participation of other dogs. It can't be controlled or planned. Sometimes it just happens and that's what makes it so special.

That said, if your dog doesn't show up for all of this, it's really ok. Just like their human counterparts, some dogs are just more emotional and connected to this kind of activity in their home.

And by the way, while the option for in home euthanasia is a blessing for many who can't imagine leaving tbeir home to bring their older pets to a vet hospital at the end, there are many people who could never be in their house comfortably again after having their pets euthanized there. Some of my very long term house call clients who haven't taken their pets out of the house for any vet care, decide to bring them in for their pet's end of life care.

No judgements. Everyone does what they need do to provide the best care possible for their pet's whole life. It may look different than what you decide for your own but everyone does their best for their pets and their family.

23/06/2025

I never could have predicted or imagined how much I would miss this dog.

It's been 9 weeks since I said goodbye to my Beautiful Gina. The empty spaces in the house, on the bathmat in the morning, on her bed in our bedroom, in the kitchen when we are sharing cookies, in my car, when we go out in the backyard, when we come up the stairs, when we take our walks, at the front door when I get home, when I lay down on the floor to stretch my legs, and on the couch behind me when I'm working on my computer- all reminders of her absence.

Making matters worse, and this has never been an issue in my many decades of being a veterinarian, when I euthanize an old dog or cat, it reopens the wound, nice and fresh and raw.

I'm perfectly functional but I am sad at certain points of every day. There was nothing more to do for Gina. She was very sick with no hope of feeling better. But the reality of making a decision to euthanize my dog reality hit me hard this time.

I had been preparing for the day for a while. It wasn't a surprise. But the anxiety and buildup leading to the final day really was overwhelming. I don't share these feelings with many bc I feel like I'm just supposed to be used to it. But that is not the case at all.

I'm not used to it with my patients and I'm not used to it with my own dogs. And as I've gotten older, seeing my clients in such devastating pain is hitting me in a much more upsetting way.

I'm happy I care and feel compassion for people in the worst pet parent situation there is. I couldn't be a vet without caring. But with the loss of my own dog only 2 months ago, I really am feeling the emotional drain many other vets describe. I really never felt it but now I understand.

I'll keep on doing what I'm doing. I am able to stay calm and help people through their own loss. But I do have to figure out how to manage my own situation here with losing Gina and currently watching my dog Dean's progressive decline. I don't know how I'm going to manage the next few dogs hitting their final phase in the next year or so. I guess we all get through it but it is not easy with so many at once.

🩷🐾🩷🐾🩷🐾🩷🐾🩷🐾🩷🐾🩷🐾🩷

10/06/2025

Let's be clear, these are not "just" dogs and birds. When we lose them for whatever reason, we don't "just" get over it. In fact, we feel our loss deeply and even kind words don't relieve the pain so quickly. But that phrase, "he's just a dog" is like throwing salt in a wound.

I'm fortunate that my circles of family and friends are mostly on the same page as me when it comes to my dogs and birds, ferret, and fish too. Generally, I don't have to worry about being triggered and insulted by such insensitive callous responses. My people understand and share the emotions and natural love I feel for my dogs, birds, and other animals I care for personally and in my veterinary job.

Only once did I have a close relative burden me with the comment, "he's only a bird"- literal quote- when my tiny house sparrow Bobby was terminally ill. The comment was so hurtful and I was so disappointed, it has stuck with me for decades. It's not that I cared what that person thought about my relationship with my little bird. I did feel bad that they were missing out on the feelings I was lucky to have towards my precious little bird. The comment really took me by surprise.

So I do know what it feels like to have my deep upset mocked. I feel sad for those who have a disconnect to animals that they would even think to say "it's just a dog". They have missed out on such an important part of life. Loving a pet shapes children's compassion and makes our lives whole.

If you choose not to bring animal love into your life, please don't denigrate others who are going through pet loss with hurtful insensitive comments. Instead, offer support and understanding. It feel much better to be kind.🩷🐾🩷🐾🩷🐾🩷🐾🩷🐾🩷🐾🩷🐾🩷

07/06/2025

Today marks 6 weeks since I said goodbye to my beautiful Gina. This has been the hardest dog loss I've ever had. It doesn't even compare to when I lost my vet school, heart dog, April, 31 years ago. I've never felt this empty, emotionally drained, or sad. I usually find the way out of the pain after a little while.

My job as a vet is in home euthanasia for dogs and cats. In the past, I was able to separate the emotions of my own loss from my work. I still do, but inside I am thinking about every word I say to the families I am helping with their own dogs. I want my words to be meaningful for their individual situations with their dogs and cats. Having just been through a major loss myself, I know what words were not helpful even though they were well intended.

Mostly, and the point of this post, is that I never felt the dread of having to experience the loss of my other dogs like I do right now. When people say that they aren't getting a new dog bc they can't go through another loss, I never understood like I do now. It is excruciating.

I will always have a couple of dogs, but having 4 dogs over 10 right now is weighing heavy on my every day interactions with my 7 dogs. And I'm reminded of it every time I go do my job. It's especially intense right now bc our Deanie is looking so so old and having progressive mobility issues.

Just some thoughts. The sadness always lifts but going thought it is not easy.

24/05/2025

20/05/2025

Here are some dogs in my life from when I was in vet school and on to today.

Over a month ago we said goodbye to our big white fluffy dog Gina. Making the decision about euthanasia was not so difficult bc she was so so sick and felt so awful. But finding the exact right time was more challenging.

For me, as a veterinarian, I always have done the euthanasia procedure for my own dogs. I never questioned who would do the final kindness to my own beloved dogs. Of course I would be the one.

Recently I've been rethinking this approach. This last one with Gina was almost too much for me. I felt so upset that it was hard to fill both roles of vet and mom to my beautiful sweet Jeannie in that final moment.

Each dog and circumstance is different. I never felt the need or desire to share the end and have no regrets about the way it all went this time. But I'm definitely considering a change in protocol for the next one(s).

In the meantime, while tough not to let our minds fast forward to the inevitable, it's so important to try hard to enjoy each dog or other pet without allowing worries and anxiety to cloud over the time we do have.🩷

10/05/2025

Happy Dog Mom's Day to everyone who is lucky enough to have one or many dogs in their life.🩷

03/05/2025

Is it easier to lose a beloved dog when there are 7 other dogs left in the family, compared to when losing an only dog and being left with an empty house?

Off the cuff, one would think the "obvious" answer is yes. After all, when there are so many dogs they might actually dilute out the grief. And maybe with so many, the total dog love is divided up so the pain of the loss might be lessened.?.?

I can tell you first hand that this is not the case. My current pain is related to the loss of one of my dogs who I absolutely adored, loved deeply, and had a very close relationship with. She was special to me for a number of reasons that I haven't shared with many.

On top of my own grief, witnessing the remaining dogs go through the loss of one of their dog family adds a layer of sorrow that isn't acknowledged in discussions of pet loss. I'm not talking about the dogs experiencing loss. I mean the people having to watch their other dogs' confusion and distress, as they also adjust to missing their friend.

To the point- I think that grief is fluid. Each situation is different. For me, I have shocked myself at how much easier and harder losing certain of my dogs and birds have been compared to what I would have predicted.

Personally, I find the initial reaction and recovery depend a lot on the illness and prep I've had as we head towards the actual loss, as well as where we are in our own life at any particular time.

I'm wondering how others feel about this important sub-topic of pet loss.

06/04/2025

This is going to be a much different format than our previous zoom webinars and parties. It will be very interactive and hopefully a lot of fun. I hope to see lots of our dog loving Piglet friends later! It's at 7:30 PM eastern time. Sign up is on our website events page!