Journey’s End At-Home Pet Euthanasia

03/12/2024

Fetch A Cure, a local organization that helps pets with cancer, has pet lost support groups twice a month. March’s in-person support group is this evening, March 12th.

Visit https://fetchacure.org/events/pet-loss-support-group-in-person-2024-03-12/ for more information.

02/13/2024

If you have ever loved a dog, cat, hamster, rabbit, horse, etc., and had to face their end of life, there is a good chance you have perhaps waited longer than you should have to say goodbye. If when looking back you think that you should have made the decision sooner, keep in mind that your love for your companion is why you held off.

“You provided love and care for your pet throughout your time together. If you feel in hindsight that you waited too long to say goodbye, you only did so from a place of love and good intentions. You would never have chosen to let your pet suffer.”

This quote is from the article I have linked to below. The Ralph Site is a great online resource for grief support.

When you feel you waited too long to say goodbye to your pet Leave a Reply Losing a beloved pet is an incredibly difficult experience, whatever the circumstances, but how do you come to terms with the belief that you waited too long to say goodbye? People often talk about their worries around euthan...

01/21/2024

WHEN YOU FEEL YOU WAITED TOO LONG TO SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR PET

Losing a beloved pet is an incredibly difficult experience, whatever the circumstances, but how do you come to terms with the belief that you waited too long to say goodbye?

People often talk about their worries around euthanasia, but it’s generally in the context of wondering if it’s the right thing to do or whether they’ll make the decision too soon. A common saying, “Better a week too early than a day too late”, provides reassurance about this.

But what about those of us who feel we were too late – be it a minute, an hour, a day, a week or longer? How do we come to terms with our feelings of guilt and regret? How do we move forward when we believe that our loved one suffered because we didn’t act soon enough?

https://theralphsiteshop.com/when-you-feel-you-waited-too-long-to-say-goodbye-to-your-pet/

10/23/2023

This chat will be live but will also be available after. It is being held in memory of Esther the Wonder Pig but may be helpful for anyone experiencing grief of any sort.

One of the greatest honours of rescuing farmed animals is that we get to love them for the rest of their lives. When they leave us, we struggle. Our good friend and certified grief educator, Julie Squires will be hosting Monday's Barnside Chat to help us all understand grief and give us some tools on how to manage the losses of those we love.

Tune into Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary Facebook Live at 1:00pm EST Monday to join.

06/20/2023

05/02/2023

Journey’s End will be at Fetch Fest and we will have bow ties “for sale” as a fundraiser for Fetch A Cure. We will also have paints and canvases for your dog to create his/her own masterpiece (again for a donation to Fetch).

Stop by and say Hi!

Join the fight against pet cancer by supporting FETCH Fest! When you register, you have the opportunity to raise funds in support of FETCH a Cure's Companions in Crisis program, which provides funding assistance to help families pay for their pet's cancer treatment.

02/14/2023

Have your kleenex ready when you read this beautiful tribute to a wonderful boy. We helped Anne say goodbye to her sweet boy yesterday and she shared this with us today. 😢

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Louis Nelson Overton Harris Morck crossed the rainbow bridge on February 13, 2023. Services were provided by Journeys End, at home, and his family is so grateful for their tender care. His spirit was strong but his little body was tired. He left this world in his human mother’s arms, after consuming a ridiculous number of his favorite treats. He would consider that the only way to go.

One of six siblings, he was born in Hanover County, VA on September 15, 2006 to “Jeanie C” Harris and her one night stand, whose name she quickly forgot. His father did not remain in his life. Louie moved to Dogtown/Southside/Richmond, VA at the tender age of 8 weeks and remained there until his death, with the exception of a brief period of living in The West End, which really wasn’t his style.

Though he didn’t have AKC papers, he wasn’t caught up in worrying about that type of nonsense. Louie made a name for himself regardless, and was a member of Costco, Sam’s Club, AAA, CCV, Southampton, the Creek’s Edge HOA, and The Dogtown Diners Club. He attended Obedience School but soon realized he already knew enough. He preferred a life with less structure. No one would be the Boss of him. While he loved treats, he was not about to do stupid things like “sit” on command or “stay” just to get one measly mini MilkBone. Those tricks meant nothing to him and he proceeded to live life on his own terms in classic dachshund fashion. He was cute enough to get his own damn treats while doing exactly what he wanted. And he did.

He barked at every doorbell, mail truck, UPS man and anyone who looked suspicious, which honestly was everyone. His greatest talent was ringing the bell to go outside, which he often did even when he didn’t have to “go” but wanted a treat anyway - proof that he was an excellent trainer of those around him. Some things can’t be learned in school. He loved his human mother fiercely and put up with her crazy ideas, most of which were against his better judgment. The cowboy hat for his birthday was a particularly poor decision on her part, but he didn’t hold a grudge.

Louie led a charmed life in every way, made possible by that human mother - who let him do whatever he wanted. His recovery from complete paralysis due to a ruptured disc at age 10 was inspiring to all who knew him. He lived the next 6 years in luxury and ultimately retired to Creek’s Edge, where he made many friends, and in his later years was well known for his good looks, barking, love of treats, and riding in his stroller. Always a trendsetter, he was the first in the neighborhood to have transportation. Now, the strollers are everywhere and even cats are riding in them, something which he refused to acknowledge.

He was preceded in death by his siblings Schatzie, Zookie, and Tess Morck (doxies), Simon Morck (feline), Claire Trivette-Morck (golden retriever), and his very best friend Coach Carter (doxie/beagle/fearless wonder), with whom he shared his golden years, many sleepovers, and quite a few treats.

Left to cherish Louie’s memory is his loving and devoted human mother - me. He would like all of us to enjoy life as much as he did, and to remember: you can overcome anything if you have someone who loves you and thinks you are the greatest thing ever. I loved him fiercely and to me, he was indeed the greatest thing ever. I am heartbroken and will miss him so much. He loved me no matter what, and while it may seem that I gave him a great life, the opposite is true - he gave me a great one.

In his memory, Louie would like you to keep treats in your pocket on your walks and share them generously with all your canine friends. He never cared much for flowers anyway. RIP my little man. Your pals are waiting for you. ❤️ 🐾 ❤️

02/05/2023

The Ralph Site is a great resource for pet loss support.

LESSONS IN PET LOSS GRIEF

Before you experienced pet loss grief for the first time, it was probably something you hadn’t thought about much.

Why would you?

No-one wants to think about how a relationship will end when it’s in full swing.

When you bring a pet into your home, there’s the first rush of love and excitement – the getting to know you phase – before you settle into the rhythms and routines of everyday life.

Then, one day, pet loss and grief take centre stage, either completely out of the blue or as a slow, creeping presence that you realise is edging nearer.

However it comes, your bereavement can turn your world upside down.

* * * * * * *

Reflecting on what we have learned about pet loss grief, forty-five things came to mind. The ones that resonate the most with us are:

- 3. Everyone grieves differently – there is no right or wrong way
- 6. There is no such thing as closure, only time and a gradual acceptance
- 7. Grief has no timeline – you can’t rush it or ignore it and, in some way, it will stay with you forever
- 12. Guilt is a common emotion to feel when you’re grieving
- 20. “Why?” and “What if?” are impossible questions to answer – the secret is to find a way to accept not knowing (“If only” won’t help you either)
- 23. Not everyone understands how much losing an animal friend can hurt but there are some wonderful people who do
- 25. Life after euthanasia can be full of conflicting emotions – you’re not alone
- 28. Some people feel they want a new pet in their life straight away while others don’t feel ready for some time (if ever) – there are still ways to spend time with animals
- 39. You can’t compare grief or losses, even though people will try as a means to comfort you
- 43. Life will never go back to how it was before your loss but you will find a new ‘normal’

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You can read the rest in the blog post below:

http://bit.ly/2K4DHqM

02/03/2023