A blog from Brad at Paws Remembered Pet Aquamation Service in Knightdale

A Gentle Farewell for Your Beloved Companion

Losing a pet is one of the most heartbreaking experiences for any pet owner. In such moments, finding a way to honor and cherish the memories of your pet becomes essential. Paws Remembered Pet Aquamation Service offers a compassionate and eco-friendly alternative to traditional cremation, helping you say goodbye to your furry friend with dignity.

What is Aquamation?

Aquamation, also known as water cremation or alkaline hydrolysis, is a gentle and sustainable process that uses water, low heat, and a small amount of alkali to break down organic materials. Unlike traditional cremation, which uses high heat and can release harmful gases, aquamation is a cleaner, more environmentally responsible option.

During the aquamation process, the pet’s body is placed in a chamber where it is exposed to a mixture of warm water and alkali solution. Over several hours, the body is naturally broken down, leaving behind only bone fragments. These bones are then processed into a fine powder, similar to ashes from cremation, and returned to the pet owner in a keepsake urn.

Why Choose Aquamation?

Aquamation is not only an eco-friendly choice, but it also provides a more gentle way to say farewell to a pet. The process is less traumatic compared to high-heat cremation, ensuring that your pet is treated with the utmost respect and care. Plus, it offers a greener solution, as it uses significantly less energy and produces no harmful emissions.

At Paws Remembered Pet Aquamation Service, we understand the deep bond between pets and their owners. Our team is committed to helping families honor their pets’ lives in a meaningful and respectful manner, making the transition a little easier during such an emotional time.

In a world where sustainability matters more than ever, aquamation offers a beautiful way to give your pet a final rest, all while leaving behind a smaller environmental footprint.

Should my children be present?

Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the most tender and emotional moments a family can share. When it comes to including children in that experience, there is no one-size-fits-all answer — just the needs of your child, your family, and your pet’s comfort.

At Azure Holland, we believe children can be included in this process in a way that is gentle, age-appropriate, and guided with love. In fact, when thoughtfully supported, many children gain a deeper understanding of the cycle of life, compassion, and what it means to love and let go.

Here are a few things to consider:

Every Child is Different
You know your child best. Some children may want to be fully present, holding their pet’s paw and offering comfort. Others may prefer to say their goodbyes earlier and be in another room. Both choices are okay. Let them know there is no “right” way — only their way.

Honesty Builds Trust
Using gentle, clear language helps children feel safe and included. Saying things like, “We’re helping Bella pass peacefully so she doesn’t hurt anymore,” is often more comforting than vague or confusing phrases like “put to sleep.” Honest words, paired with emotional support, help children feel secure.

Ritual Can Bring Comfort
Some families light a candle, share stories, draw pictures, or place flowers around their pet. These small acts of love can give children a role in the goodbye — a sense of meaning and connection during a difficult time.

The Home Advantage
One of the beautiful aspects of in-home euthanasia is that it happens in a familiar, safe space. Your child can sit in their favorite chair, cuddle with their pet on the couch, or say goodbye surrounded by love — not in a sterile exam room. Home allows room for softness, and space for tears.

You’re Not Alone
If you’re unsure whether to include your child, we’re here to talk it through with you. Azure Holland and her team have helped thousands of families navigate this decision with compassion and care. We can offer guidance on how to prepare, what to expect, and how to support your child before, during, and after.

Gentle Goodbyes Begin With Loving Choices
Whether your child is by your side or nearby, what matters most is that your pet is surrounded by love — and that your family feels supported in each step. We’re here to hold space for all of you..

Dr. Wallace Sife, Ph.D. writes in his book The Loss of a Pet, “Treat the death of a pet with understanding, love, and care allowing the child to benefit from your example and strength.”

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOUR PET HAS A CHRONIC DISEASE Dr. Janelle’s Guide for Pet Parents

Hearing that your beloved cat or dog has a chronic disease can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s diabetes, kidney disease, arthritis, or a heart condition, the news often comes with a mix of emotions—confusion, fear, guilt, and love.

The good news? With proper care, many pets live happy, comfortable lives even with chronic conditions. Here’s what to expect and how to prepare.

ADJUSTING TO LONG-TERM CARE

Chronic diseases require ongoing management, which may include:

Medication (pills, injections, topicals)
Prescription diets
Frequent vet visits and lab monitoring
At-home care (e.g., glucose checks, mobility support)

This can feel like a big change, but most pet parents find a routine. With time, it becomes second nature.

COSTS AND PLANNING

Chronic care can be a financial commitment. Consider:

Pet insurance or veterinary credit plans
Monthly budgets for meds, food, and checkups
Emergency funds for flare-ups or complications

Planning ahead helps reduce stress and ensures consistent care.

UNDERSTANDING QUALITY OF LIFE

Keep checking in on how your pet is doing. Ask:

Are they eating and drinking?
Are they in pain?
Do they still enjoy walks, toys, or cuddles?

Your vet can help assess and adjust care to improve comfort and well-being. I find it is helpful to keep a journal. Do not discount how other pets in the household interact. Sometimes they can be a signal that things are changing and to consider end of life options.

PREPARING FOR END-OF-LIFE DECISIONS

This is the hardest part of the journey

Signs that your pet may be nearing the end include:

Unrelenting pain
Loss of appetite or mobility
Difficulty breathing
Disinterest in life
Decreased appetite or having to encourage them more to eat

Using a quality-of-life scale can guide your decision. We have one available here https://azureholland.com/pet-quality-of-life-guide/. It is common for your pet to have ups and downs. Measuring how many more down days than up days can guide you as well.

Euthanasia, while heartbreaking, is sometimes the kindest option. It’s a final act of love—to give your pet a peaceful goodbye when suffering outweighs joy. Talk to your vet and contact us in advance so you can understand all the details. You’re not alone.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

Caring for a chronically ill pet can take an emotional toll. It’s normal to feel sadness, guilt, or fatigue. Lean on support groups (online,local), friends, family, and your veterinary team. Visit our grief resources https://azureholland.com/grief-resources/

Your pet feels your love and care—and that matters more than anything.

CELEBRATE THE GOOD DAYS

Even with a chronic condition, pets can have many good days—playing, snuggling, or just relaxing in their favorite spot. Keep a journal, take pictures, enjoy every moment. Chronic illness is only part of their story—not the whole.

IN SUMMARY:

A chronic diagnosis is not the end. With love, structure, and support, your pet can still live a life full of warmth and joy. And when the time comes to say goodbye, you can do so with peace, knowing you gave them everything they needed—right to the end.

Loss and Grief with Dr. Holland

The loss of your dog or cat is one of the hardest things that a pet parent has to navigate.

Throughout this journey of the final life stage, there are an array of emotions that can come up. I have had to say goodbye to beloved fur babies and the grief has been intense. Here are some things that have come up in me as I have traveled along the path of grief and loss and to finally finding happiness again.

Is it crazy for this to hurt so much?

No. The grief that I have felt for a beloved pet passing surpasses anything that I have felt for another human in their passing. Pets are often the center of the home and the focus of our love and attention. They comfort us and they know us fully, including our habits and secrets. They are often our “mini-me’s” and it’s only natural that with a relationship that strong and meaningful that we could have a powerful amount of grief.

Here are the 6 stages of grief and how they may show up in the process of losing a pet:

Shock and disbelief- the first responses to the loss of a beloved pet. This can last anywhere from a few hours to several days.
Anger, alienation and distancing- anger can come up in many forms. Often there is anger about the disease that took your baby, or at the Dr. that wasn’t able to save them. Anger when carried to an extreme level can keep you from moving through the healing process and fully experiencing grief.
Denial- having trouble accepting that your fur baby is really gone. Typically this stage is very quick and is rooted in fantasy.
Guilt- the more that you loved your baby, the more likely you are to experience guilt. Experiencing guilt on some level is very natural as we rethink the final life stage of your fur baby and the decisions made for care at the end.
Depression- It is normal to feel depression with intense mourning. With the loss of all my babies and in particular my kitty Mantis, the depression was pretty marked. I would wake up in the morning and ask myself, “Will I ever be happy again?”. I was already in therapy at the time Mantis passed and I used sessions to process this incredible loss. *If the depression becomes too intense or prolonged than one should seek help from a trained professional
Resolution- a time for spiritual healing. In this final stage, we move through the grief and are able to hold onto the memories and the love of our beloved while moving forward with life’s activities.

How can I process my feelings?

The most therapeutic thing we can do is lean into our emotions and pain. In order to get through the other side of grief, we have to feel deeply and sit with the heartbreak and anguish of the loss. Bottling it up and pretending we are ok will only delay the healing process. I have found it especially helpful to speak with my trusted therapist or friends that are pet people. Getting the feelings out is the most important part of the healing process. Crying is one of the most cleansing and cathartic things that we can do for the soul. Other ways to process and move grief through your body: exercise, dance, meditation, journaling, etc. Express yourself and try not to hold it in.

I have been lucky to be surrounded by other pet people during my grieving process. If you don’t have pet people in your inner circle, seek them out. This type of understanding can be so very helpful in your healing journey.

Some practical suggestions:

Find other sympathetic and supportive people to lean on to get your feelings out in a safe environment.

Allow emotions to flow, don’t bottle them up.

It’s never too late to say something to your beloved deceased pet. Write a letter to them sharing how much you love recounting the special memories that you have.

Dedicate or donate something in your pet’s name. Knowing that they are helping other fur babies is a way for them to continue on.

Establish new routines at home. Pets, more than anything in our lives, are rooted in our living patterns. Don’t be scared to shake things up!

Hold some sort of private service or memorial for your pet. This can be as simple or as involved as you wish.

Attend a pet loss or bereavement support group. Allow yourself to share fully and experience the grief in a safe space.

If/When you are ready to bring a new fur baby into your life, tell them stories of your beloved one who passed.