Quote for the Day

 

Anything I’ve ever done that ultimately was worthwhile… initially scared me to death.

~ Betty Bender

Death is Not a Dirty Word

 Sure, for as long as we have records, people have been afraid of dying – partly because we didn’t have good pain strategies but also because many feared the unknown or their own beliefs about what comes after death.  

It has only been in the last 100 years that the dying process itself has become so foreign and invisible to us that the unknown about the dying process causes us so much fear and anxiety.

Quote for the Day

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Don't Delay - Seek Concurrent Care

     One of the main problems plaguing both human and animal hospice is that people wait too long to find us.  There is so much hospice can do to ease all types of suffering - from physical to psychological, to social and even spiritual.  Studies have shown that even just 4 days of hospice care can make a impact, but those of us working in hospice know that if we can have a few months with the family, we can make a huge difference in the level of care, comfort and peace for the patient and the entire family.

     Why do people wait?  Sometimes people don't know we exist (especially true for animal hospice), sometimes people think all we do is care for those in the active dying process, but often people are afraid.

Quote for the Day

An unexamined death is not worth dying.

~ Robert Kavanaugh

Death and a Snowstorm

     I have lived in New England for all but the first few years of my life.  I love it; it's my home.  Here, we don't have many natural disasters, the most common being a "Blizzard" - essentially a frozen hurricane, with high winds, lots of snow (think feet, not inches), whiteout conditions, trees and  power lines down, roadways disrupted and the like.

   It is completely disruptive, a major hassle, and one of the most spectacularly beautiful and awe inspiring events you may ever witness.

    We often know a "storms a'coming" so we empty grocery shelves of water, milk, matches, those cheater Duraflame logs, popcorn, marshmallows and often some beer or wine.  We make sure to have batteries and candles nearby -- and also get our home office in tip top ready condition for the onslaught of trying to manage the demands of a work life that never sleeps with a natural disaster who could care less.

     And then we wait.  We think we know how it is going to play out, having seen many before.  We convince ourselves that the experts (in this case, the TV weather forecasters) will know what to do and will help us out, and we convince ourselves that if we have the right STUFF, listen to the right PEOPLE, and follow all the RULES all will be fine and we will be able to stay in control.

     Does this sound a little like death to you?

Quote for the Day

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

- Leo Buscaglia

A Tribute to the Animals

   When we heard this song, it spoke so deeply to us that we just couldn't resist putting images to it.  We hope you enjoy it and share it with others.

     Thank you to the band Revive for graciously granting us permission to use their beautiful song and to the many who sent in their images for use in the video.

     The courage, compassion and dedication of our clients and animal lovers all over the world inspires and touches us every day.  We feel deeply grateful to be even a small part of your journey.  Thank you.

Quote for the Day

Life brings tears, smiles and memories. The tears dry, the smile fades but the memories live on forever.

~ Anonymous