End-of-life Care and Planning

Hospice for pets involves bringing our beloved pets home, knowing that although there is no cure to give them, supportive care can keep them comfortable. In this post, Dr. Jessica Vogelsang and Dr. Elizabeth Benson of Paws into Grace explain this approach to addressing terminal illness in pets.

Although it is difficult to think about losing our dogs, preparing for the end is important. Dr. Julie Buzby, DVM, a Grey Muzzle Advisory Board member, shares what she has learned about saying goodbye to our canine companions and making them feel comfortable and loved in their final moments.

Dog lovers are now asking for more end-of-life services for their dogs for as long as they are able to maintain a good quality of life. However, what is a good quality of life for a dog? Dr. Alice Villalobos offers a couple guides for ensuring a dog's well-being in the final stage of life.

During the holiday season, the loss of loved ones can be particularly poignant. In this post, Sharon Castellanos tells how experiencing her dog Cleo's senior years and eventual loss taught her a lesson in taking joy in the season and appreciating precious moments with those we care about even more.

When a happy 11-year-old Australian Cattle Dog mix named Danny Boy arrived at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, little did anyone suspect the adventures that awaited or the inspiring legacy that Danny, with the help of dedicated foster parents, would leave behind for the dogs of Muttville.

When Maria took Finn home as her foster dog, she knew he was ill, but not quite how ill - or how much she would come to love him in the months that followed. In this post, Maria Stoerrle, a member of Grey Muzzle's Board, tells of the love and heartbreak of deciding when to say goodbye to a terminally ill dog.