Quote for the Day

"I would much rather have regrets about not doing what people said, than regretting not doing what my heart led me to and wondering what life had been like if I’d just been myself."

 ~ Brittany Renée

Elderly and Special Needs - You Call that Hospice?

     At New England Pet Hospice, we care for elderly and special needs animals as well as those who have a terminal diagnosis.  This is one of the few areas we differ from the human hospice model.  In human hospice, the patient must be diagnosed with a terminal illness with less than 6 months to live (some hospices accept patients with a 12 month prognosis).

     Why the different standard?

     Because of euthanasia. It is widely accepted that the vast majority of pets in our country will be put to sleep (except for those who die of traumatic injury). This has a direct impact on our elderly and special needs animals in many ways, but especially in three ways:

    1.  Quality of Life.   The Quality of Life scales used to judge when a terminally ill animal is ready for euthanasia are equally applied to our animals who are elderly or have special needs. And all of our elderly and special needs animals will "fail" that test at some point (or points) in their life, almost always within a year and often within a few months.  While some families may have the knowledge and muster the strength to carry on without support, many - or perhaps even most - will not.

But What if I DON'T Feel Thankful?

     Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the Holiday Season that can be devastatingly hard for those who are struggling with loss. And Thanksgiving itself might be the worst holiday of all of them.  Not only are you required to be happy, but also to be thankful. If you have lost an animal recently, those around you may expect you to be especially thankful for the time you shared with your beloved companion.

     But here's the truth: it is perfectly normal to have a hard time mustering thankfulness when you are caring for an ill animal or mourning.

     The expectation that you must be thankful too often causes people to feel shame and guilt.

Homecooking Made Easy!

     Animals are resilient. They survive on many kinds on diets, but they thrive best on a species-appropriate diet filled with fresh, quality ingredients. We notice a huge difference in health, vitality and energy when animals are fed a good diet. Many of us at New England Pet Hospice feed our own animals home cooked food.

      It is natural to assume this is expensive, time consuming and more hassle than it is worth - I did too when I heard about it, but now I am a convert! Home cooking will be more expensive than kibble, but less expensive than premium canned food. It is very, important, however that home cooked is prepared carefully and in proper balance. We see too many dogs fed meat only or unsupplemented meals that can cause problems in the long run. Often problems related to nutritional deficiencies develop over time, so it is easy to miss problems in the diet.

      There are many excellent books and resources available on homecooked diets, but in the end, they essentially boil down to the same recipe - which is simple and affordable.

Click here to read more and get the recipe

Quote for the Day

All that is harmony for you, my Universe, is in harmony with me as well. Nothing that comes at the right time for you is too early or too late for me. Everything is fruit to me that your seasons bring, Nature. All things come of you, have their being in you, and return to you.

~ Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

Quote for the Day

A man is ethical only when life, as such, is sacred to him, that of plants and animals as that of his fellow men, and when he devotes himself helpfully to all life that is in need of help.

~ Albert Schweitzer

If You Could See What I See

     When I conceived of New England Pet Hospice so many years ago, I envisioned a company in which people with huge hearts and committed souls found a meaningful way to be of service to both animals and people.  A place where hard work was also heart work.  Where being sensitive, passionate, and vulnerable were valued and important traits. Where teamwork, camaraderie, and love would be the driving forces in all we do.

     I am incredibly proud and humbled to say much of this has come true - for better and for worse. Never in a million years could I have imagined the huge impact we would have on the families who so graciously allow us into their lives and into their homes in heartbreaking times. Nor could I have ever envisioned the incredible group of people who would be drawn to do this work with me. Their knowledge, skills, passion, courage, conviction and compassion routinely amaze and impress me.

     But with success and growth comes those few people who wish us to be something we are not, want more than we have to offer, or who need someone to blame for something that is outside of our control.

     It breaks my heart when this happens, because if you could see what I see:

     You would see smart, talented, accomplished professionals sacrificing personally and professionally for the opportunity to be of service.

     You would see the purest form of love and giving.

     You would see a determination to be better every day in everything we do.

     You would see hundreds of hours of training, education, and sharing.

     You would see late nights and early mornings, holiday crises, and weekend scrambling.

     You would see risk, responsibility, vulnerability and humility.

     You would see an organization determined to remain open and emotionally attached, refusing to become jaded or cynical, fueled by hope and the belief that we can do something important and lasting, that we have the capacity to make a difference.

     This company and all those involved in making it thrive and grow, develop in ways that simply astound me.  I know that something bigger than any of us brought us together and set us on this path.  And I for one can't wait to see where it takes us tomorrow, next year and many years into the future!