Mark The Home Vet

21/12/2024

Yuletide blessings and Merry Christmas from the team. Sadly, Shelley was unwell and couldn't join us to celebrate the festivities last night, we wish her a speedy recovery! Some friends luckily could join us in her place. Friends who are like family!

We would like to say a huge THANK YOU to Sarah, the Vet that supported the practice whilst we had annual leave this year. Those of you that met her loved her, naturally, as we do! We really appreciated knowing that our clients were in Sarah and Shelley capable hands whilst we had some family time.

As a small business family time is important for us and we strongly believe that working people should be able to have time for both. We both love what we do and love our family.

Thank you to Miss MoneyPenny PA Services for your help this year as well. Excellent, professional services that we also know has family at it's heart, in business. Thank you Penny x

From our family to yours may you have some peace and rest during this festive period.

Photos of Mark, Rebecca, Sarah and special friends.

Lots of love, Mark and Rebecca x

11/12/2024

To Mark,

Thank you ever so much for today, you were amazing despite the sad circumstances.

I wasn’t sure how you wanted the photos for your memorial wall. I have a few photos here of Lindy over the years and a little statement to go with them.

‘Lindy had been with us for 12 years, initially serving as a gun dog for my grandad before we lost him and eventually she retired and became a companion for my nan. Although everyone says their dogs are the best but Lindy was and will always be the most well behaved and loving companion we could have had and today the world has lost another great soul. She will be sorely missed.’

Yours H

18/11/2024

Our thoughts go out to Ruby's family;

'Our very loyal Golden Retriever, Ruby, joined our family nearly 13 years ago at 8 weeks old. From day 1, she was totally spoilt and loved by her human Dad, Mum, brother and sister. She was always there to greet us when we came in the front door, always looking at us in disgust when leaving through the front door and always by our sides whenever she could smell our food! Ruby holds a very special place in our family hearts. She was always such a big part of our daily lives and will be missed forever! RIP beautiful girl! ♥️

When our Ruby suddenly became very unwell, we knew it was the right time to have to say goodbye. After having such a horrific time saying goodbye to our previous dog, Mark was recommended to us by friends. Mark is a truly compassionate guy, who guided and supported us through the whole process, step by step in our own time. Our sincere thanks to Mark, Rebecca and the team. '

13/11/2024

Thank you to our lovely clients who have accepted rearranged appointments over the last couple of days as we mourned.

Sadly, we lost our beautiful Magena on Monday evening. Magena was our beloved 6 year old Springer Spaniel and his death has been a great and unexpected shock for the whole family.

Magena, your time on this earth was cut far too short. There were many more walks and beaches that we wanted to share with you. Too many adventures that we will take your memories to, but where we will miss your vibrant energy. We miss your morning cuddles and the children miss you flopping onto them for tummy rubs. Your friend described you as a "firework on a string".

Magena, your memories will forever live on as pawprints in the hearts of all those that you touched with your amazing energy. To all of Rebecca's Reiki students you were the best teacher.

Rest In Peace our beautiful boy x

11/11/2024

We are home and back in the swing of things after our trip. Thank you to Sarah and Shelley for holding the fort!

Whilst abroad we checked in with the charity Rebecca used to work closely with and rekindled our support. We enjoyed beach walks with the dogs, cuddles and plays with the dogs and cats of Barbados.

But there is a serious side to animal rescue. There are a lot of animals in need (in every country) and Barbados is no different. This charity Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary is doing a tireless job to not only rescue but enrich the lives and re-home dogs and cats. We were privileged to be able to offer Mark's veterinary knowledge and Rebecca's behaviour, rescue experience and Reiki to this charity during our stay.

It won't be the last visit and we will continue to help from the UK.

Please follow them, share their work and donate where you can.

We can all do that little bit to make the world a brighter place.

To Karen of Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary you are an angel in this world. Thank you for all you do, Mark and Rebecca x

11/11/2024

Sadly last week we had to say goodbye to Candy, such a happy soul. This is what her owners said afterwards;

'Just wanted to say a huge thank you x

Yesterday was a day we’ve been dreading for a while but with Mark by our side we had nothing to fear.
Mark you made us all feel calm at a very sad moment in our lives.
Candy knew she was in safe caring hands and slowly slipped away.
You gave us your love and expertise which is priceless.

All our love'

21/10/2024

Annual leave at MTHV.

Mark and Rebecca are having a holiday to celebrate their 10th Wedding anniversary!

If MTHV registered clients need an appointment on 24th/25/28th October Medivet Bretton are covering for us, please call Medivet Bretton on 01733 333444.
Please note there will be no home visit euthansia appointments available during these dates.

From Tuesday 29th October until Wednesday 6th November we have a locum vet, Sarah covering both our clients and the non registered client home visit euthansia requests. Please call our normal number 01780 678 876.

We are delighted that Sarah is covering our anniversary as she was our Bridesmaid all those years ago and so it seems apt she should be looking after our clients now.

Medication requests can still be processed for clients as normal but there may be a slight delay in comparison to normal services.

Thank you for your understanding, Mark and Rebecca x

17/10/2024

I know that we often post about pets that we have helped have a dignified last moment with their family. We feel that as a veterinary practice, these our our most important appointments and we wish to honour the beautiful pets that we have the pleasure of meeting, even if only for the briefest of moments....

'Thankyou for your email and for helping us all say good bye to our Roly boxer mastiff cross he was from wansford dog rescue we took him in from ross to train and decided to keep him so glad we did he became such a awesome dog and a exception to his breeds, he's left an empty spot as he had such a character kept us all in check even his brother Champ who has been soo quiet since . Thankyou for the card and kind words .We will recommend you all.'

03/10/2024

It's and so Rebecca has written us a poem:

Our Pets: moments that matter.

by B Westwood

From the lark to the nightingale,
Moments of calm expansive love
Cascade from furred feet,

Momentous waggy tails
Touch our hearts with soft paws,

Only this moment matters.

Our hearts can remember how to land
In cushions of love in the moment of ‘now’.

Much have we have to learn from these
our furry teachers.

They do not judge, or anger,
nor do they not hold onto delusions of fear.

They do they cease their love because we faltered
Nor do they question what we hold dear.

Instead, blessed are we to see these truths
with four feet, sunshine and wet noses,
Happiness and smells of roses.

Our pets are life’s precious gifts.

They see the dew on morning grass,
The sun kissed leaves on trees,
The muddy puddles, evening snuggles:

Cherishing those moments that matter.

May we remember
each animal teacher we have been touched by
had the same message:

Only this moment matters.

Let’s honour them by
Open heartedly

stepping

into

that.

24/09/2024

We made the difficult decision to let Alfie go on the 27th August and I can’t thank Mark enough for guiding us through step by step. Our beautiful boy passed away peacefully and calmly knowing we were with him and whilst he was having a little snore.

Our home misses Alfie’s impatient and mischievous ways. We keep looking for him. To not have Alfie around after 14 yrs is something I don’t think we will get used to. Our hearts are broken and we are forever grateful to have had him in our lives. We miss him so much. Although we do have some comfort now that he’s home with us.

Thank you Mark for the card, paw print ( that started me crying again) and seedlings.

Forever grateful

Tina,Ben & Gracie xx

31/07/2024

Mark, Rebecca and family are having a few days break next week. Mark will be "out of the office!"and unavailable via phone or email from Tuesday 6th August and is back at work on Monday 12th August.

If you are running low on prescriptions please order them today to ensure you do not run out.

During this time our out of hours services will be covering any urgent cases. Please call the work number for more information or

Medivet Bretton will cover urgent day patients.
01733 333444

Our out of hours services is provided by
Vets Now Peterborough.
01733 601514

Thank you for your understanding!

Enjoy the sunshine!

Mark and Rebecca

01/07/2024

A simple yet heartfelt comment after a recent goodbye

"Jess you were our favourite Hello and our hardest goodbye"

23/06/2024

https://moonsuncreatives.etsy.com
Our Son and Daughter have launched a little business. (They are 7 and 8 years old). They are harvesting, drying and packing the rose petals from our garden (we have alot!) and selling them.

If anybody is going to a wedding or would like a bag for other reasons Mark will have some in his car for purchasing. The little entrepreneurs are asking for £3.50 for a 5g colourful, organza bag.

Here is the link to their Etsy shop, if you get a sec please look at their shop to boost their rating and support them.

Many thanks, Mark and Rebecca

Shop items by MoonSunCreatives located in Langtoft, United Kingdom.

29/05/2024

Such lovely words that we received from a very loving and caring owner:

Rewind 13 years and picture a 5 month old, gangly tan and brown lurcher jumping between sofas whilst peeing like a crazy kangaroo - that's the day Lazer came home and my life was changed for the better..... The best.

They say that a dog is a man's best friend and it could not be more true. Lazer was my partner in crime, my companion, confidant and my boy. He was my centre of gravity and my focus from that crazy day was to give him the best, comfiest and most loving life possible.

It's hard to describe the connection we had, but our souls were intertwined, his character was unmissable, a huge personality and the biggest heart. We went through all sorts and he was always by my side, ready to cuddle and just show unconditional love. I think it's fair to say I might not be here today if it wasn't for him, I'm grateful for everyday I got to spend with him, every goofy thing he did that will forever be in my memory and all the joy he brought to my life. I will miss the zoomies, the roaching, the bed hogging and even the begging. He taught me patience, love and kindness and although it breaks my heart that I'll never get another greeting from him or get to give him a cuddle, or smooch his snoot whilst he sleeps, I know he's at peace and comfortable.

Lazers illness came on unexpected and swift, he sadly struggled to walk and was in tremendous pain. Making the decision to let him go over the rainbow bridge is probably the hardest one I've had to make but he deserved to not have to suffer and to go whilst he could still enjoy some of the finer things in life, comfortable at home with his dad.

Mark and the team were excellent from the very offset from the initial call for help to every step along the way. When mark arrived I could instantly sense his compassion and empathy. Mark provided me and Lazer with a safe space to embrace the loss we were both suffering, he was kind and calm, he helped me understand what to expect and helped me make sure that my boys last moments were at home where we have so many memories, where he could be comfortable on his dad's bed, wrapped in my arms on my lap. He passed hearing my voice and feeling my strokes and I can't thank mark and the team enough for taking away his pain and helping him cross the rainbow bridge to peace and happiness.

I feel eternally blessed and lucky to have shared so much of my life with my boy and grateful for all of the joyous memories he's given me. He will always be loved and never forgotten .

Thank you.
Liam and Laze

12/05/2024

We were so pleased that we could help Jess and her family at their moment of need...

"My beloved Jess came into my life 11 years ago when I needed it most. She helped me to bear the pain of grief. She taught me that animals have souls, they have emotions and intelligence. She had the gentlest, most pure soul. She spoke with her brown, expressive eyes and gave so much unconditional love. A cuddle, a play with a ball or rope was what she loved. I had never known such a giving, unselfish, pure love.
In her last week she was in the vets every day for tests and treatment and she begged me not to leave her, it was heartbreaking for her and for me. When it was clear that she wasn't going to recover, I knew that I couldn't let her suffer any longer. I had to accept that I had to let her go.
I could not take her back to the vets because she would think that I was going to leave her again and I wanted her final moments to be peaceful and calm.
Luckily I was given Mark's name and number. He was so supportive, gentle and calm. I couldn't have wished for a more fitting goodbye. I got a lovely card and paw print.
I don't know how long this pain will last but I delay coming home because I miss that wonderful greeting from Jess so much."

08/05/2024

I don’t really know where to start and how to thank Mark enough.

On the 4 th April it was with a heavy heart and many tears now time to say goodbye to Casey our beloved family member and best friend of the past 14.5 years.

Casey was comforted by her best friend Lilly and our family who loved her so much. She filled our lives with daily joy, and all she ever really needed was lots of cuddles and love, food, and long walks in the woods. We keep with us many fond memories of Casey, from day to day company, holidays as a family with her just chilling, walking, and the odd pub lunch where she would enjoy a chip, crisp and a cool drink of water. She was one in a million and we miss her every day.

Having met Mark for the first time there was immediately a sincere presence of compassion and empathy, and he discussed everything in detail in a warm caring way which immediately reassured us all we were making the correct decision, albeit possibly one of the hardest we have had to make.

Mark was so calm, and nothing felt rushed or pressured. He was explaining how everything would work and gave us ample family quiet time after the passing to say goodbye to Casey before she was wrapped delicately in a blanket like a sleeping puppy and was carefully taken to Marks car.

We knew she was in safe hands, now at peace and Mark would take great care of
her.

The compassion and empathy shown not just on the day but in the following days when Mark returned with her ashes along with a card, some forget me not seeds, and a paw print which is framed and sits in pride of place in our home. Thank you to
Mark, Rebecca, and Shelley.

I will always be so grateful to Mark for making her last few moments so peaceful and
would certainly recommend to people facing similar decisions.

Thank you for everything.

05/05/2024

Oscar was a fantastic, gentle patient that sadly we had to say goodbye to recently:

We first saw Oscar in a video from the lady who fostered him in Turkey after he’d been rescued from a grim and overcrowded dog pound. We knew straight away he was going to be our Oscar. He joined us on 29 August 2016 probably about 5 years old, but no-one was too certain. Happy Paws, the fantastic charity that rescued him, asked if we would retain his name as it was the only thing he had he could call his own.

From the start he just fitted into the family. Ralphie and Ada, our other two dogs, took to him straight away. Here are just a few memories. But we’ve got a thousand more besides.

The comforting weight and warmth of his head in your lap as he slept next to you on the settee.

The contentment of sitting beside him on the floor with your arm round his sturdy shoulders.

The sight of him doing the retriever thing of sleeping in the doorway between the kitchen and lounge and then apologising to him if you accidentally kicked him when stepping over him. He never held a grudge though, just a quick glance from his dreamy eyes and he’d flop down again content and comfortable.

The mayhem as Team Temple went bonkers when we came back into the house after our brief trips away to hospital/dentist appointments. With Oscar doing his bounding leaps for joy and Ada and Ralphie whirling around us all. What a team they were together.

That look of sheer devotion as he rested his head on your knees.

The little joyful jig he did as his dinner was being prepared and the clonk he’d give Nicky with his paw to let her know his dinner was on its way.

His patience as you hooked out a chunk of biscuit that had got stuck between his back teeth and cheek and the pleasure he took from munching the fragment you found for him. It usually happened most evenings when he had his bedtime dog biscotti. Homemade dog biscotti made with flour, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and eggs (plus the shells) - Oscar loved them.

His magnificent flag of a tail as he paraded around on his walks. He always seemed so proud to be out and about with us but we were equally proud to be with him.

The pleasure Oscar took from being towelled down when he came in from the garden on a rainy day. So much pleasure he’d go straight back outside so you could do it all over again for him.

That look of contentment as he gazed out across the fields overlooking Chew Valley Lake where we went two or three times a year to visit our elder son and his wife. He loved it there, but thankfully when we got home he never turned his nose up at the view in our small garden.

That little nudge against your legs when he just wanted you to know he’s there - which he always will be.

We have never known a dog so grateful for every bit of human contact that came his way.

Thank you Mark and Rebecca for helping us keep Oscar going quite a bit longer than we had a right to expect. A combination of veterinary skills and Rebecca’s Canine Bowen Therapy did so much to keep Oscar content. Thanks to Shelley too for getting prescriptions sorted out when we’d forgotten to order them in time and keeping everything organised. We are so grateful to have had our dogs looked after by you. When the time came to say goodbye to Oscar, Mark took us gently through the process with such kindness and compassion and then we held our lovely boy as he drifted away.

The smell of him. The sound of him. The feel of him. The warmth of him. The sight of him. The joy of him. The memory of him. Our Oscar who died 11 April 2024.