“When I Needed a Hand, I Found Your Paw…”
Welcome to the Paws Furever Blog
When you made the decision to bring a new furry loved one into your life, you embarked on a journey. This journey is filled with adventure & emotion — new experiences & perspectives. There is a time in this journey when things begin to seem a bit different. Your loved one may slow down, they may no longer seem to look forward to countless hours of fetch, or they may not seem to chase laser lights as vigorously as they did in their youth. Or perhaps they can no longer eat the same foods as they could years earlier without stomach upset or the exhibition of other symptoms. If you are reading this and can relate, your pet
Thoughts on Hospice, Pet Euthanasia & How to Decide When to Say Goodbye
Anyone who has been lucky enough to share their life with a pet will eventually be faced with the dilemma of saying goodbye. We hope it’s only after years of happy co-existence filled with crazy ups and downs and many magical stories. Our furry companions give us something that I would argue can not be readily found. They gift us with unconditional love and acceptance. If we are out too late and forget to call, their response is, if anything, an even warmer reception when we return. Maybe we get busy with a new friend or work …. It’s okay, they are always happy to see us and accept whatever time we can
Appropriate Exercise for Aging Dogs
When our dogs are young puppies, they require a lot of sleep. Their stamina has not yet been built and a majority of available energy is going towards the rapid growth which they are experiencing. As they get older, they become more active and energetic, and eventually may get to the point where they have so much energy they are running laps inside the house and playing tug of war with every available piece of clothing. Eventually the energy will stabilize and they will develop stamina. For years you may enjoy participating in a dog sports, going on long walks or runs, hunting, hiking, fetch or playing with other dogs or cats.
Life Enhancing Activities to Do with Your Senior Dog
As your pup ages, you may noticed that they no longer seem as interested in the activities that they used to enjoy. Perhaps your retriever who once begged you to play fetch for hours tires after the first three throws of the ball. Perhaps your energetic puppy who used to go on five mile runs with you or no longer perks up when you say “walk”, or pick up the leash. Maybe you have just noticed that your dog enjoys lounging on the couch with you more than, well … anything. If you find yourself experiencing this, don’t fret! Just as your adult dog may not enjoy chewing as much as they did
“Quantifying” Quality of Life for a Pet
As a family, make a list of things that your pet loves to do, and activities you enjoy sharing with them. It is important that everyone in the family has the chance to contribute to this discussion, as each family member may have a slightly different relationship with the pet. Discuss your concerns with your Veterinarian, or a caring trusted friend to gain some perspective. Keep in mind that the items on the list may not be what they were when the pet was younger. Laying on the couch and watching TV with the family is a perfectly acceptable item to have on this list, even if going on a five mile walk is no longer in your pets’
Making the Tough Decision to Put Down a Pet
It’s only natural as they decline in health to wonder if we will have to make the decision to help our pet cross over. We worry how we will know with any certainty that it is the right decision at the right time. As our pets guardian we want our loved one to enjoy every good moment left to them, without enduring one minute of true suffering. Although it feels monumental to make such a decision, to decide “the when” for another living being, the decision falls to us. Only those who have shared the life of a furry family member will know when their quality of life is no longer viable. As