Vets2Home - Peaceful Pet Goodbyes

01/06/2026

🕊️ Memorial Monday 🕊️

Sweet Erik 💔

Only days before this photo was taken, Erik was diagnosed with a brain tumour. At just 8½ years old, his world changed so quickly. The bright, confident boy his family knew and loved was becoming confused, unsettled, and no longer seemed like himself. ❤️‍🩹

By his side throughout was his devoted feline friend — a little three-legged kitty who adored him. She stayed close, watching over him, sensing that something wasn't right. 🐾

The bonds our animals share are so special, and they too feel the changes when a beloved companion is struggling.

This moment was captured before we helped Erik find peace. He rested quietly, his tail gently flicking now and then, but it was clear that life was becoming difficult. Although he could still move around and seek out comfort, his wonderful family knew his quality of life was slipping away. 🙏🏼

One of the greatest acts of love we can offer our animals is a peaceful goodbye — before suffering takes hold, and while they are still surrounded by the people who cherish them most.

Sleep peacefully, Erik 🌈
You were deeply loved, and your memory will forever remain in the hearts of all those who knew you. 💜🐾

29/05/2026

💜 What Our Companions Teach Us 💜

They have a way of teaching lessons without ever saying a word don’t they?

They teach us to be present.
To celebrate simple joys.
To forgive quickly.
To greet the people we love like it's the best moment of the day.

They don't care about our job titles, our to-do lists, or how successful we are.

They care that we're there.

For many of us, our animals become some of our greatest teachers…. They show us what unconditional love looks like every single day 💕

What is one lesson your beloved animal taught you?

We'd love to hear your story below. 🐾 🙏🏼

26/05/2026

🕊️ Tribute Tuesday 🕊️

We said goodbye to beautiful Cofie ❤️🐾

At 12 years old, Cofie was the last of a beloved pack of 9 German Shepherds. While sitting with her, her gentle eyes followed me so deeply — almost as though she was asking for help. 🙏🏼

Sadly, after a recent diagnosis of splenic cancer, she was no longer able to stand comfortably and was suffering from internal bleeding and pain.

But what a remarkable soul she was.

During her lifetime, Cofie touched so many hearts. One especially memorable story shared by her family was of a young autistic boy who had become terrified of dogs after being knocked over by one. Through patience, gentleness, and Cofie’s calm nature, she helped completely change his fear into trust. That was the kind of dog she was — kind, intuitive, and full of quiet love. 💜

After years spent in a large pack, her owners felt she needed companionship of her own, and that’s when little Bindi came along. Out of an energetic litter of pug puppies, Bindi simply sat quietly, staring at her future owner — as if she had already chosen her family ❤️ A perfect little companion for dear Cofie. 🐾

Run free now, sweet sweet girl. Thank you for the comfort, loyalty, and love you gave throughout your life. You will be deeply missed by your incredible family, but never forgotten 🌈🐾

22/05/2026

With Dementia Action Week coming to an end we’d like to share some information on Canine Dementia that could be helpful as in my experience this can be one of the most frustrating and challenging conditions to manage.

Canine dementia doesn’t always look dramatic—it often starts with small, odd changes that are easy to dismiss as “just aging.” Recognising the unusual signs early can make a meaningful difference in maintaining your dog’s comfort and dignity as they age. 🐕

Effects on other pets in the home Canine dementia—formally known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CCDS)—is a progressive brain condition seen most often in older dogs and dogs with undiagnosed brain tumours. It’s broadly similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans, involving cognitive decline, behavioural changes, and disruptions to normal daily patterns.

⚠️ Common signs

* Disorientation – getting lost in familiar places
* Interaction changes – less interest in people or other pets
* Sleep disturbances – pacing at night, sleeping more during the day
* House soiling – forgetting toilet training
* Activity changes – reduced exploration or repetitive behaviours

🔍 More unusual or easily overlooked symptoms

Beyond the classic signs, CCDS can show up in subtle—or strange—ways:
Staring at walls or into space. Dogs may stand still and stare at nothing for long periods. This isn’t just “zoning out”—it reflects confusion or impaired awareness.
Getting “stuck” - A dog may walk behind furniture or into corners and seem unable to figure out how to back out, even though they physically can.
Reversed sleep cycles. While some sleep change is normal with age, CCDS dogs may:
* Stay awake all night pacing or whining
* Sleep excessively during the day�This can resemble insomnia-like patterns seen in human dementia.

Sudden anxiety or clinginess. A previously independent dog might:
* Follow you constantly
* Panic when left alone
* Seem unusually needy or distressed
Loss of recognition In more advanced cases, dogs may:
* Not recognize familiar people or pets
* Fail to respond to their name
* Seem emotionally “flat” or detached
Repetitive or compulsive behaviors
* Walking in circles
* Licking surfaces obsessively
* Repeating the same route or action

Changes in vocalisation. Some dogs begin:
* Barking at nothing
* Starting to bark when previously quiet
* Whining persistently, especially at night
* Making unusual sounds without clear triggers
* Altered appetite or eating habits
* Forgetting they’ve already eaten
* Losing interest in food
* Eating non-food items (in rare cases)
* Confusion and changed social dynamics Other animals often notice something is “off”:
* A previously social dog may withdraw or ignore companions
* Play signals may disappear or become inconsistent
* Established hierarchies can shift.
* Increased tension or conflict because the affected dog may misread signals or behave unpredictably:
* They might snap when startled or confused
* Other pets may become defensive or avoidant
* Minor misunderstandings can escalate more easily.
Stress in sensitive animals. Cats or more anxious dogs may react strongly to:
* Night pacing or vocalisations
* Disrupted routines
* Unpredictable movement or behaviour. This can lead to hiding, overgrooming, or changes in appetite. Unexpected caregiving behaviour in some cases, other pets adapt in surprisingly gentle ways:
* A younger dog may stay close or become protective
* Companions may reduce play intensity or give space but this varies widely—there’s no guarantee of a nurturing response.

💡 Management and support

🩺 When to seek help if you notice behavioral changes—especially combinations of the above—it’s worth consulting a vet. Some symptoms can overlap with:
* Vision or hearing loss
* Pain-related conditions
* Neurological diseases

Early assessment can help rule out other causes and slow progression. While CCDS isn’t curable, it can often be managed. If you’re concerned about your dog’s comfort or quality of life, we offer compassionate in-home quality of life assessments tailored to dogs living with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome and other age-related conditions.

During the visit, we take the time to observe your dog in their familiar environment, assess mobility, behaviour, and signs of discomfort, and provide practical, expert guidance on adapting the home, reducing anxiety, and supporting effective pain management. We’ll talk you through options clearly and honestly, helping you make informed decisions that prioritises your dog’s wellbeing.

📞 To arrange a visit, simply get in touch via phone or email, and my caring team will schedule a time that works for you and your beloved animal.

We’re here to help you if you need extra reassurance at a challenging time…

Dr Suzen 🐾💜

18/05/2026

✨ This week is National Dementia Action Week 19th-25th May 2026✨

Peaches & Oreo 💕🐾

15-year-old sisters, raised by two human sisters since they were teenagers themselves. A lifetime of love together.

Peaches was asked if she could “wait” until little human baby Beatrice came home safely from neonatal care. And she did. ❤️
Her body and mind were tired — seizures, pacing, confusion, and the heartbreaking signs of doggy dementia.❤️‍🩹

What many families don’t realise is that other dogs in the home often notice cognitive decline long before we do. Oreo and the younger dogs had already started behaving differently around Peaches some time ago. Their interactions changed because they sensed her confusion and distress before the humans could fully see it.
We often don’t recognise canine dementia until the pacing starts. Looking lost. Barking for no reason — or no longer barking at all. Becoming vacant, unsettled, disconnected from the world around them.

Doggy dementia (and feline dementia too) can be incredibly difficult to recognise, especially in the early stages. Sometimes we think they’re just “getting old.” But our pets are often quietly struggling long before that moment becomes obvious.

Thank you, beautiful Peaches, for holding on just a little longer for your family. 🥰🐾

Forever loved and missed. 🙏🏼💜

17/05/2026

For 20+ years I have worked in veterinary hospice and palliative care — helping families and beloved companions through the hardest stages of life with dignity, love, comfort, honesty, and compassion.

And yet, despite the profound skill, emotional labour, ethical complexity, and medical expertise involved, this field has never been formally recognised as a veterinary specialty.
Why?

Because in medicine — veterinary and human alike — death is too often still treated as “failure.”

Meanwhile, billions are poured into endless treatments, aggressive interventions, oncology and chemotherapy prestige, medicine trials, and the constant pursuit of “one more procedure”… often long after quality of life has begun to disappear. There is a lot of profit in prolonging treatment. There are awards, status, industries, and patents attached to it.

But comfort?
Quality of life?
Presence?
Pain and emotional relief?
Dignity?
Helping a family say goodbye without suffering?

There is far less profit in that.
And yet THAT, in my humble experience, is some of the most important medicine and care we can offer as professionals in the ‘business’ of caring for family members. Even the ones with fur!
Now, maybe — finally — things could begin to change…

The American College of Veterinary Hospice and Palliative Medicine (ACVHPM) is seeking official recognition as a Veterinary Specialty Organisation through the AVMA–ABVS.
This matters enormously.

Because hospice and palliative medicine is NOT “giving up.”
It is expert, evidence-based care focused on quality of life, pain management, ethical decision-making, emotional support, and preventing unnecessary suffering when cure is no longer possible, appropriate, or wanted.

The proposed acknowledgment of this specialty would finally officially recognise the need for:
• Advanced pain and symptom management
• Skilled end-of-life care
• Quality-of-life assessment
• Caregiver and grief support
• Ethical, patient-centred decision making
• Dignity and comfort over futile suffering

Animals deserve this.
Families deserve this.
And vet professionals who dedicate their lives to this work deserve recognition too.

I would genuinely love to hear from REAL people with REAL stories — those who have walked through hospice, palliative care, or difficult end-of-life decisions with their animals.

*Did comfort matter more than “more treatment”?
*Did quality of life become the most important thing?
*Did you wish this kind of support had been more available?

Please help make a difference by following the link and submit your comments…. Only takes 1 minute to register and let your voice be heard.

Because sometimes the greatest act of medicine is not prolonging life at all costs — but relieving suffering with skill, honesty, and compassion. With the love our companion animals show us every single day. ❤️🐾

https://form.jotform.com/260904559098064

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

14/05/2026

Following an incredible response to our recent vet vacancy on Facebook the search has officially come to an end for now.

We have been absolutely inundated with amazing applicants, and the standard of candidates made the decision extremely difficult. We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who applied and showed interest in joining our small and unique team.

After a very tough process, we’re delighted to say that we are super confident and delighted to have found a couple of fantastic vets who will be joining us soon — and we cannot wait to welcome them onboard and introduce them. We know our clients will be so very well cared for 🥰

Exciting times ahead 🐾

13/05/2026

13/05/2026

May is both Mental Health Awareness Month and National Pet Month — a meaningful reminder of just how deeply they impact our emotional well-being. 🐾💚

Our animals do so much more than share our homes — they comfort us during difficult moments, ease feelings of loneliness, reduce stress, and provide the unconditional love and companionship that help many people navigate anxiety and everyday challenges.

Our beloved animals become part of our routines, our support systems, and our hearts. They are there for life’s happiest moments and its hardest ones too.

At the heart of what we do is honoring that extraordinary bond with compassion, dignity, and understanding — because saying goodbye is never just about losing an animal, it’s about losing family.

This month, we celebrate the comfort, healing, and love they bring into our lives every single day. ❤️

What’s one way your special companion supports your mental health? We’d love to know your story… 🐾🙏🏼

12/05/2026

We are absolutely delighted on behalf of the amazing team at “We Take Calls” for winning the 2026 Business of the Year Awards at the Seahaven Business Awards! 🎉

Since 2020, they have been an incredible support to our business — professionally handling our calls, being the first point of contact for our clients, and helping us grow our team along the way.

It’s also so lovely to work with and support another local, female-owned small business, just like our own. Their dedication, professionalism, and friendly approach truly make a difference every single day.

Huge congratulations to the whole team — this award is so well deserved! 👏✨ We Take Calls