Author: Azure Holland

Just recently I was asked to help a family say goodbye to their beloved pet on a Sunday morning. When I arrived at the home I walked up to the door and saw a little note attached that read “we are in the back yard.” I made my way around the front walk to the back and stood at the gate for a moment. What I came upon was this beautiful scene. Their beloved pet Max was laying in the sun on his blanket. Almost perfectly the rays of sun were just basking him and illuminating his fur. His family was encircling him and giving Max hugs and kisses. They shared with me some stories of how he came to be in the family on Christmas morning and of his glory days. I learned that Max loved playing and frolicking in the snow and hunting moles in the yard.  His four legged family was also there to say goodbye. There were three dogs who payed respect one on which even came over and left a ball for him next to his head.  Their family cat also said his goodbyes and sat next to Max and the family while he took his last breaths. Max passed away very peacefully with the love of the entire family close by. This was one lucky dog who will always be remembered for the 19 years of love he gave to the Kidd family.

Azure

I have been in private practice for five years and last year started a house call service to help families with end of life care for their pets. Over the past three years I have been lucky enough to help an older gentleman Mr. Crosson and his companion Bran. I met Bran on my second day at work and we became fast friends. She always looked forward to coming in to see me. Maybe it was the excitement in my voice, the belly rubs she received, or the many treats I gave her. She, I and Mr. Crosson have been through a lot in the past few years and have developed a special friendship. She has been diagnosed with multiple conditions and has stayed happy and healthy with the care and love of her pet parent up until very recently. Everything changed when Bran had a seizure episode last week. Over the past week Bran’s condition has been ever changing which has caused moments of extreme happiness and those with tears. Their were times when Mr. Crosson was ready to let her go, but wanted to give her just one more night to see if her condition would improve. Mr. Crosson and I have been talking daily about Bran’s condition and quality of life.  I’ve realized through talking with him that I love Bran just about as much as he does. I’m finding that making a decision about when it’s time has become very personal in this case. I want the best for Bran, Mr. Crosson. I know that he and I together will make the best and most loving decision for Bran when it’s time. Until that day comes Bran is going to have every opportunity to live life to its fullest with Mr. Crosson by her side.

I have walked many families through the process of deciding when it’s time to say goodbye to their beloved pet. I truly understand what my clients face when it comes to end of life care and decisions for your pet. My mobile vet practice is solely devoted to helping with the end of life transition. I’m available for free phone consultations to discuss the specific needs of your companion and to discuss your emotions as well.  I have been trained in pet loss guidance and I provide home euthanasia in Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, and Durham.

Here is a picture of Bran, Mr. Crosson, Jo Ann and myself this past Halloween.

Being in private practice at a local Raleigh Animal Hospital and offering house calls for in home pet euthanasia, I believe I have a
unique perspective of what a home euthanasia can offer the pet and the family.

I’ve found in private practice that euthanasia appointments are very impersonal and often take place in cold sterile exam rooms. Families are also forced to start the  grieving process in a public setting. In a regular hospital setting, the Doctor on duty often cannot devote 100% of his or her attention to the pet or the family and any  there is no time to offer any bereavement guidance to the family. I’ve often seen pets come to the hospital for euthanasia who have just endured a terrifying car ride and are now faced with being in a hospital where stress or painful procedures may have happened in the past. Hospitals are busy places with other patients coming in and out and many other people waiting and busy staff. My experience has shown me there is a much better way to honor and say goodbye to the family members who have been so loyal and loving to us.

When I come out to a home to help, I am completely focused on the pet and the family. I do everything I can to make this very hard situation just a little bit better for the pet and it’s loved ones. When I come into a home, I have time to meet and spend time with the pet and also focus on the pet parents and what they are going through. The whole process is very gentle. The pet gets to be at home surrounded by familiarity and love. Sometimes owners will give treats before the sedation, or have a special toy their to comfort their beloved pet. My appointments are also very flexible. I try to tailor each experience for the pet and family. Some families choose to say goodbye under a tree outside, some families invite their friends over to send their pet off with good wishes, and still others choose to curl up with their pet on the sofa and spend the last few minutes together as they have spent most of their lives. I feel honored to have been there for my clients who have let me into their families and if I can be of any assistance to you, please call, if only just to talk.  I available for veterinary house calls in Raleigh, Cary, Durham and Chapel Hill and all the places in-between.

Azure

I regularly get asked this question, I wanted to address it on my blog knowing that it is a sensitive topic. I practice at both an animal hospital and my mobile service that offers home euthanasia for dogs and cats in Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill and the surrounding areas.  I feel that both of my unique work experiences gives me good insight on this issue.

My house call visits typically last on average around 2 hours. This can vary depending on a few variables including how much the pet parents and I talk and the overall experience that the family is wanting. I am trained in pet loss guidance and I like to spend the first part of the visit just talking and getting to know the pet and the pet parents as well as going over the procedure in detail and answering any questions. My goal is to have the family feel as comfortable as possible. With my mobile veterinary service I never overbook myself. When I show up to help a family I am 100% focused on their needs and the needs of the pet. If the family chooses to, I also take care of all the aftercare arrangements including meeting with the crematorium provider and bringing the ashes back to the family in person.

Hospitals are busy places and typically the clinician is handling multiple cases and has much less time to meet with the families and discuss the procedure or offer pet loss guidance. I know from speaking with families who decided to say goodbye to their beloved pet in hospitals that they often felt rushed to say goodbye and wished they had chosen a more intimate setting.  I know from the experience of working in both my practices that home euthanasia is not for everyone, just as saying goodbye within a hospital setting is not for everyone. Cost does play a role in whether some families decided to say goodbye to their pets at home.  I’m proud to offer a compassionate alternative to pet parents so they have more choices when it  is time to say goodbye.  I offer free phone consultations so that you may give me a call and discuss my services to determine if it is right for your family.

This is one of the hardest questions I get asked.  I have recently told a family to talk to your pet, they will tell you when it is time.  That may sound like strange advice, put it is true.  As pet owners we all know when our pet is trying to tell us something.  I have met with folks that often struggle with this issue and I have used the quality of life scale developed by Dr. Alice Villalobos as a guide to help owners access their pet’s current quality of life.  I have posted Dr. Villalobos scale for you to download and work through.  Please feel free to call me to discuss your pet’s specific situation, I always offer free consultations.  I am honored to serve familes with my mobile vet service in Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill.

Quality Of Life worksheet

Azure