Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice & In-Home Euthanasia

The day my parents brought me home from the hospital for the very first time, the first thing my dad did was to lay me down next to our family dog, Chief. For years after, Chief and I shared many a boyhood adventure and even shared the doghouse from time to time when I was in trouble. Chief taught me many things about the special relationship, that makes an “animal” a companion. Losing him was my first experience with the loss of a cherished companion. I remember my dad comforting me, knowing the right things to say as a dad should.

In 2008, I graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Throughout my career as a veterinarian, I have been faced with several end of life decisions both at work and in my personal life, as my wonderful pets have lived and gone. Each experience helps me to better understand what my dad started all those years ago. My aspiration is to pass along some of these comforting words to those who have these special companions as part of their lives. The end of life decisions are very emotional, but we have the opportunity to show true compassion when our pets need it most and provide them a peaceful transition and honor their memory.

I hope that as each person who experiences this loss knows that our sympathies are with them. “Although it’s difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.”