04/11/2026
Saying Goodbye Is Never Easy
Last night, our salon family lost a very special boy, Sherlock, at the incredible age of 21 years old.
Some of you will have heard me speak fondly of Sherlock over the years. He was a beautiful boy and it was an absolute privilege to be part of his life.
Walking into work today and seeing Sherlock’s empty bed was sad. After watching him struggle with his health over the past few days, I knew this moment might come, but it didn't make seeing that empty space any easier. It's amazing how much a little dog can become part of your everyday life, and how deeply their absence can be felt.
Our thoughts and love are with Sherlock’s mum and dad (as well as Isabel and Tammara) as they navigate the heartbreaking loss of their much-loved companion. Twenty-one years of love, loyalty, memories and friendship is something truly extraordinary.
As our dogs get older, or when they become seriously unwell, it can be difficult to know what to do, when to seek help or whether the time has come to make some difficult decisions. The most important thing is that you don't have to navigate it alone.
Speak with your vet early – If your dog isn't behaving normally, stops eating, seems uncomfortable or shows signs of pain, seek veterinary advice. Don't wait until things become critical. If your dog has difficulty breathing, collapses or is in severe distress, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
Understand their quality of life – Your vet can help assess pain, mobility, appetite, comfort and whether your dog is still enjoying the things they love. Sometimes small changes can make a big difference.
Explore palliative care – There are options to help keep older or seriously ill dogs comfortable, including pain management, supportive care and veterinary guidance for their final weeks or days.
Understand your end-of-life choices – Today, families may have access to home veterinary visits, compassionate euthanasia services and options that allow their dog to spend their final moments in familiar, peaceful surroundings.
Have a plan before you need one – Knowing who to contact, what services are available and what your wishes are can make an incredibly emotional time a little less overwhelming.
Losing a dog is losing a member of the family. It's one of the hardest parts of sharing our lives with these beautiful animals.
Today, there are more ways than ever to honour their memory, celebrate their life and keep a little piece of them close.
Some of the options available include:
Individual cremation and memorial services – allowing your beloved companion to return home to you.
Paw prints and keepsakes – a lasting reminder of those little paws that left such a big impression.
Memorial jewellery – a special way to keep your companion close to your heart.
Memory boxes and personalised tributes – preserving collars, photos and treasured memories.
Pet bereavement support – because grief is grief, and losing a pet deserves understanding and compassion.
For our Canberra families, we recommend Paws to Remember to help explore the aftercare and memorial options available when the time comes.
There is no right or wrong way to say goodbye, and no set timeline for grief. Everyone finds their own way to remember and honour the dogs who have shared their lives.
If you've ever had to say goodbye to a special companion, what is one thing you've done to keep their memory alive?
