Parting Paws

Before our arrival  

We are coming to you with only love and empathy. Take a deep breath and know you are not alone; support is on the way.  We provide a 1-hour arrival window to account for unexpected delays on the road, but we will text you an updated arrival time as soon as we are on the way.  Please be prepared for things to begin when we arrive, so be sure to have any friends/family present you wish to have with you.  Having a place to park is also important, especially if we are providing aftercare services.   

There are no rules!  If your pet is eating, they can have anything they want as well as any medications they may be on.  Comfort is key; please have their favorite bed, toys, blankets, etc. for them. For your comfort, consider turning off your phone, dimming the lights, lighting candles, and playing calming music. 

When we arrive  

We will spend a few minutes greeting all present and allowing our patients to adapt to a new person in the house.  If needed, we will complete paperwork and payment at this time so we can fully focus on the pet in need.    We will then explain the process and what the appointment will look like before starting with sedation/pain medication. 

We administer sedation/pain medication with a small needle under the skin to ensure relaxation and comfort as your pet transitions.  To help reduce any sensation of the small needle, we will ask you to help distract your pet with lots of rubs, snuggles, and snacks (remember there are no rules) if they have an appetite.  Each pet is different, but generally it takes 5-15 minutes to be fully effective.  

The final euthanasia medication will then be administered in a way that is most appropriate for your pet.  This process is pain-free and generally occurs in 1-10 minutes from administration.  We encourage you to show your pet love throughout their journey until our Doctor confirms they have passed.  

If you have arranged alternative aftercare options, we will quietly leave after confirmation of passing.  If we are also providing aftercare services, we will step out to allow everyone a few moments of privacy for final goodbyes.   To transport your pet to our vehicle, we will gently wrap them in a blanket and transfer them onto a stretcher if needed.  If your pet is over 50lbs, we will need help carrying the stretcher to the vehicle.   Once securely in our vehicle, we will transport them for cremation services.  Your pet is in great hands; we are all family now. 

After 

Private cremation takes ~5-7 business days. Getting them home to you is our priority. We will notify you as soon as they are ready.  

Grief is not “one size fits all” and doesn't follow a set of guidelines. Take time to process the pain and sadness that is often overwhelming after such a difficult moment. Grief counselors are a wonderful resource that can help when the pain feels too heavy to carry.  Our team has found that talking about our angels and sharing their memory helps to ease the feeling of loss by keeping them alive in our stories.