Everypaws Gentle Goodbyes

15/10/2026

Some reviews really do stay with me. ❤️

Beautiful Bella's story, and the love she shared with her family for 14 years, is incredibly touching. I'm so grateful to have been trusted to help her have a gentle and peaceful goodbye. 🐾

"My baby girl Bella I have had since I was just turning 7. Shes made me laugh every day since, shes been a pain in my ass and my bestest friend.

She hated water and loved to go for walks, she had a heart shaped nose when she was a puppy and then gained a burn scar on it after sniffing something too hot. She didn’t care much for playing fetch but could play tug and wrestle all day, she could jump on the bungalow roof but had selective hearing when I asked her to give me her paw or do a spin. She was so emotionally intelligent even if you caught her licking walls, she had the cheesiest smile and a fox like tail. The day I got her we drove two hours away to god knows where on that specific farm, we met the farmer who took us to his stables. There were so many border collie puppies to choose from, then in one separate stable there she was curled up and shaking. He told us he was “waiting for her to die” as she was the runt of the litter, this you could tell as she was a lot smaller and a lot weaker, she had a healing wound covering the entirety of her lower back caused by the other dogs attacking her over food (she was frequently violently attacked). I immediately picked her up and took her home, I’ll never forget when we drove home and she slept on my lap the entire way. I’ve not been able to give her the perfect life, we struggled with her fear of other dogs and territorial problems. But I gave her 14 more years of life and I hope they were wonderful for her. She got sick in the end and we had to say goodbye.

Cheryl provided the most peaceful euthanasia, she was so so patient, passionate, kind, calming and respectful. She asked questions and studied the room when she entered, she understood the vibe and was so gentle with my baby girl. She explained everything in detail and what to expect as death generally is not usually a pretty thing, but she truly made it beautiful. I had never witnessed death before and Cheryl made it seem like the most bittersweet, beautiful and fascinating thing even with the heartbreak. Thank you so much Cheryl you deserve the best.

Sleep well Bella, you never did grow into your ears.

28/08/2026

🌈🐾 Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day 🐾🌈

Today we remember the pets who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge; the ones who may no longer be by our side, but will forever have a place in our hearts.

The love we share with our animals doesn’t end when we say goodbye. Their little quirks, their faces, their cuddles and the memories we made with them stay with us forever. ❤️

At Everypaws Gentle Goodbyes, I’m privileged to help families through those incredibly difficult final moments, and I know just how deeply these beautiful souls are loved and missed.

Today, I’m thinking of every pet who is no longer here, and every person missing them. 🌈

Forever loved. Never forgotten. 🐾❤️

20/08/2026

Sometimes, the simplest words say the most.

A lovely reminder of why I do what I do; helping families navigate one of the hardest moments they will ever face, with kindness, calm and compassion.

Thank you to this family for putting their experience into words. 🤍

10/08/2026

🧠 100km for a cause very close to my heart

Alongside my work with Everypaws Gentle Goodbyes, I’ve spent the last few months taking on a very different kind of challenge — training for a 100km ultra marathon on 12th September, specifically to raise money for brain cancer research.

This is something that has a very personal meaning for me. A very close family friend sadly lost their battle with brain cancer, and more recently, a close family member was diagnosed at a young age.

Those experiences have made this challenge about much more than simply running 100km. I wanted to push myself physically and mentally while raising money for something that has become incredibly important to me and my family.

Yesterday I completed my furthest long run yet as part of my training.

It has certainly been a journey! There have been plenty of tired legs, long miles and moments of questioning my sanity 😂 — but I’ve genuinely loved it.

I’ve particularly enjoyed running with friends, getting out on the trails and working towards another endurance challenge.

And, for a change, it isn't an Ironman! 😂

There’s still a long way to go before 12th September, and I honestly don't know what the final 20, 30 or 40km of that race is going to feel like. But I’m going to give it everything I have and hope I can make it all the way to 100km.

If you would like to support my fundraising for brain cancer research, I would be incredibly grateful. Every donation makes a difference and means a huge amount to me.

❤️ My JustGiving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/cheryl-keen-3?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk&mi_u=15025309&mi_ecmp=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk

100km. 12th September. One very big challenge, for a very personal reason. 🧠❤️

Help Cheryl Keen raise money to support Brain Tumour Research

06/08/2026

Each family I have the privilege of helping leaves a lasting impression on me, and Harry and his family are no exception.

Being invited into someone's home at such a deeply emotional time is a responsibility I never take for granted. Knowing that I was able to bring a little peace and gentleness during such a difficult goodbye means everything.

Thank you, Sian and Gareth, for your trust, your kindness, and for allowing me to share your beautiful words. 🤍

30/07/2026

There is no "perfect" way to say goodbye to a cherished pet, but there can be a peaceful one.

When families invite me into their homes, my hope is always to create the time, space and calm they need to focus entirely on their beloved companion. I'm incredibly grateful to Ruth and Claire for allowing me to share Bella's photograph and their lovely words.

💜

"Taking the decision to say goodbye to a beloved companion is one of the hardest calls we can make. You worry that it's the right time, too early or too late and that your much loved pet will slip away without stress.

Cheryl was professional and calm, of course, but so very understanding, empathic and kind. We felt we had the time and space to say our goodbyes to our beautiful Bella, and she just slipped away surrounded by love in her own home.

Bella's little sister, Bumble, seemed to know and accept what had happened. I am sure that Cheryl's calm and empathy helped her too.

We are so grateful to Cheryl for making our goodbye to Bella as positive an experience as it could be, and for her kindness and compassion."

— Ruth, Claire & Bumble ❤️

Bella was surrounded by love until her final moments, and it was a true privilege to help her family give her such a peaceful farewell. Thank you again, Ruth and Claire, for your trust and for allowing me to share Bella's story.

24/07/2026

Has Anyone Seen the Cat?

🐾🐈💕

"We look for you when we get home
To say hello and scratch the top of your head
Wonder how your day has been
Joking about how you haven’t moved since we said goodbye to you that morning.

I would see you at the end of the hallway
While I looked in the mirror, getting ready for sixth form
When you decided your favourite place to sit was at the top of the stairs.
I felt jealous that you could stay at home all day
Now I worry that your world was so small whilst mine grew and changed.

The people I met loved you because I did
And I wondered if they understood me,
I wonder if I understand you and whether you know I like to sit in the same spot every day too.

I remember all the places you like to sleep,
Each one you would settle in for weeks at a time.
When the sun cuts across the sofa opposite the window I will imagine you warm and happy
Leaving fur on my seat when I am wearing black clothing
I smile when I find evidence of you on my sleeves.
In this way you have come with me to the shops, to work, to other countries
I think about what you would make of the big world I am in.

All of the years when I have known I will come home and see you,
And all of the things around that will still be here when you aren’t.
The green blanket that matches your eyes perfectly
Or the green glass that doesn’t match your eyes but that you prefer to your bowl
We laugh but we fill it for you every day
And hope that fresh water could show you that you are loved by us.

We blink at you slowly, trying to speak as cats do.
And you sit at the dinner table with us
Or next to us on the sofa, your head turned away,
I read once that this means you feel safe and I hope that’s true.

I wonder what you think about and what dreams you have about your little life.
I hope that you will dream of us and that you will always be at home
Where you have been so loved."

🕊🌿

Thank you to Chumby's family for allowing me to share these beautiful words.
One of the greatest privileges of my work is witnessing the extraordinary love people have for their pets. This poem captures the quiet moments of grief and the enduring bond we share with the animals who leave pawprints on our hearts. I hope it brings comfort to anyone missing a much-loved companion today. 🤍

22/07/2026

Every pet leaves behind a story, written in the hearts of those who loved them most. ❤️
Princess was deeply cherished, and her owner has kindly shared these heartfelt words in her memory. 🕊🌿

"For Princess
You came to me at 9 and taught me what it meant to be chosen.
Fierce when you needed to be, and endlessly loving the rest of the time.
You were there for my first house, my first steps as a homeowner,
and every quiet moment in between.
I miss your little grumbles and the way you'd melt for a belly rub.
Thank you for all the love, my Princess." 💜

Run free, sweet Princess. Thank you to your family for allowing us to share these beautiful words in your memory. 🌈🐾

17/07/2026

🕊Every family has their own story, and every goodbye is as unique as the bond they share with their beloved pet.

Kim and Bob recently gave me permission to share their heartfelt words about saying goodbye to their beautiful Labrador, Maya. I'm incredibly grateful for their kindness in allowing me to share both their experience and these lovely photographs of Maya.

Thank you to Mayas lovely family for trusting us to be part of Maya's final journey, and for taking the time to write such a meaningful review. It truly means the world.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Last August we made the heartbreaking decision to say farewell to our beloved 15½ year old Labrador Maya. We felt that taking her into our local Vets would involve unwanted stress to her. Cheryl’s service was highly recommended to us by a work colleague of my wife at the Queens Veterinary School at Cambridge. Cheryl’s reply to our initial email was within an hour and the whole subsequent process went smoothly. Arrangements were made for the next day and carried out with kindness and empathy by Anna, one of Cheryl’s colleagues. A few days later Cheryl contacted us to pass on her condolences and thoughts, which was a nice gesture. We would not hesitate to recommend "Every Paws Gentle Goodbyes” to anyone having to make such a hard decision.

Maya Shorthorn Emerald 2010-2025

12/06/2026

Coming home to cards like these means the world to me. ❤️

Thank you to my wonderful clients for your kindness and for trusting me to be part of such an important chapter in your pets' journeys.

It is a privilege to help families say goodbye in the comfort of home, and I never take that trust for granted.

Messages like this remind me why I do what I do. Thank you. 🐾