10/01/2025
WORDS LIKE THESE MAKE IT ALL WORTHWHILE AND THEY KEEP US MOTIVATED
THANK YOU LISS 💚
In July 2024, we made the heartbreaking decision to say goodbye to our beautiful, brave and funny sausage dog, Nero. He started having grand mal seizures after Christmas 2023, which gradually got worse. We had hoped for a peaceful death at home, surrounded by familiar comforts, and so found another mobile vet who supported this, lets call them '###'. After lots of investigations, they suspected a brain tumor and he was put on the appropriate medication.
At the beginning of July 2024, Nero's seizures worsened, and I arranged for '###' to come for home euthanasia and we arranged for them to come the following day between 2-5 pm. I called them in the morning, no answer, and again in the afternoon, only this time they answered. I spoke with an unempathetic receptionist who blamed lack of staff for not answering earlier calls before i was told that i hadn't confirmed the euthanasia appointment. I explained i had spoken to the vet the day earlier and had arranged with him directly to come out between 2-5pm that day and further expressed since when would anyone have to confirm an appointment to put there dog to sleep? She did offer an appointment but explained as it would be out of hours, it would cost £100 more, at this point, I didn't want them anywhere near Nero. We had already stopped his medication for over 24 hours, as he was dying anyway and we had already confirmed his euthanasia appointment the day before. I cannot express the absolute spiral i found myself in. Nero was on my lap, seizing, whining, obviously in pain and very confused. That’s when my husband called Hensol vets and spoke with Ivan and Maya. They were calm and responsive, and within an hour, they both arrived at our home.
Ivan, your warmth and gentleness when you held my hands and asked what happened brought immense comfort as you took the time to listen what happened. This gave Maya the time to unobtrusively prepare everything swiftly yet gently. You both showed incredible empathy, taking your time to get to know our two sausage dogs, whilst noticing clinical signs the other vet hadn’t even reported to us. You took a thorough history and gave comfort and reassurance at a time when doubt and guilt made me question our decision.
The whole process lasted about an hour, and you navigated the whole event with perfect timing and awareness of when to be present and when to step back. When it was time for Nero to draw his last breath, you left us to say our final goodbyes. Those final moments were so precious with our little boy and you ensured that his final moments were calm and peaceful. Once he left us, you gently wrapped his body in a blanket and took him, keeping us updated until he came back to us in a simple but beautiful box.
I cannot repay what you did for us that day. It wasn't just the clinical expertise; it was the human connection that made all the difference. Your calmness, kindness, and the right words will forever be remembered. We are eternally grateful that you were part of Nero's end-of-life care.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,
It seems strange to say with all my love, but because of what you did for me that day,
With all my love,
Liss
