Our Blog
Our Commitment to Supporting the Morris Animal Foundation
Did you know that Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice donates monthly to support the Morris Animal Foundation? The Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit organization that invests in science to advance animal health. This year we have committed to sponsoring two Morris...
Saying Goodbye: Honor Your Pet’s Legacy with Dignity and Love
No matter how long your beloved dog or cat has been in your life, it never feels long enough when the time comes to say goodbye. The heartbreak of losing a family member cannot be denied, but there are ways to honor your pet’s legacy with dignity and love and help...
Creating a Bucket List for Your Beloved Pet
Bucket lists can be a powerful tool to celebrate a beloved pet and create positive memories during what can otherwise be a sad and anxious time. It can also provide a sense of control and help families feel that while it’s not possible to cure their pet’s disease or...
My Dog was Diagnosed with a Nasal Tumor, Now What?
Written by Dr. Mindy Brewster, Caring Pathways VeterinarianUnderstanding Nasal Tumors:For pet owners facing the heart-wrenching reality of having a beloved pet diagnosed with nasal cancer, the journey likely seems daunting. Nasal cancer results from the uncontrolled...
Assessing your pet’s quality of life
Facing the end of your pet’s life is challenging at best, but more likely, heartbreaking. It feels impossible to separate your desire to not allow them to suffer with your own grief of losing them. You know that you do not want them to be in pain but also cannot...
A Helpful Guide to Compassionate Veterinary Telehealth Services
For pet parents, our beloved companions are cherished members of our families, offering unwavering love and friendship. However, as pets age, they may encounter health challenges, which can be emotionally and logistically overwhelming. Fortunately, advancements in...
The Value of At-Home End-of-Life Care for Military Families’ Furry Companions
In the life of a military family, the concept of home often transcends physical spaces, becoming a tapestry of memories shared with those who provide comfort and companionship during times of constant change. Among these steadfast companions, pets hold a special...
Chronic Kidney Disease in Dogs and Cats
Puddles of Pee, Roast Chicken and Pound Cake: My First Experience with Chronic Kidney Disease.Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is something we most often associate with elderly cats, but it can affect dogs too, and sometimes in a younger pet. It is a progressive,...
Common Misconceptions about Hospice and Palliative Care for Pets
Our beloved pets are important parts of our families. Witnessing our pets' age, or having to face a terminal illness can be one of the most challenging aspects of being pet people. In such situations, hospice and palliative care can provide comfort, support, and peace...
Is a natural death or euthanasia better for your pet?
As a home hospice and euthanasia veterinarian, something I frequently hear from grieving pet parents is, “I was hoping she’d just die peacefully in her sleep”. We all hope for that. I think that’s the way any of us - dog, cat, human, or otherwise - would like to go,...
Navigating Pet Care’s Impact on Your Quality of Life
Written by Dr. Gina Singleton, Caring Pathways Veterinarian in Fort Collins, COIn this article, we'll explore the importance of considering your own quality of life when making end-of-life care decisions for your pet. At Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice, we understand...
What to Expect with In-Home End-of-Life Veterinary Care
Being the caregiver of a geriatric pet, or one who has received a life-limiting diagnosis can be difficult and scary. Challenges associated with caring for your special family member, adapting schedules to meet their needs, and fear of the unknown can all lead to...
New Year’s Resolutions and Your Pet: Starting the Year on the Right Paw
As New Year's Day approaches, our thoughts turn to making the upcoming year even better than the last. While our pets are perfect just as they are, here are some ideas to ensure they start the new year with their best paw forward.ID CheckTake a moment to check your...
Senior Cat Gift Ideas for 2023
As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to celebrate our beloved senior cats with thoughtful and comforting gifts. Aging cats deserve extra love and care, and choosing the right gifts can make a world of difference in their comfort and happiness. We’ve compiled a...
Senior Dog Gift Ideas for 2023
As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to celebrate our beloved senior dogs with thoughtful and comforting gifts. Aging pups deserve extra love and care, and choosing the right gifts can make a world of difference in their comfort and happiness. We’ve compiled a...
When to Euthanize a Pet: Understanding the Right Time
The decision to schedule a beloved pet's peaceful transition involves a myriad of considerations, primarily centered around their quality of life. While evaluating quality of life warrants its own discussion, this article aims to explore additional factors pivotal in...
Adopting a Senior Pet – Thoughts and Considerations
Adopting a pet is a life-changing decision, offering numerous joys and challenges. While puppies and kittens often steal the spotlight in adoption centers, senior pets–those typically classified as seven years or older–offer a unique set of benefits and considerations...
Why is Losing a Pet so Painful?
Navigating the Inevitable: Reflecting on the Unspoken Truth of Pet OwnershipWe all know that someday, the beloved animals we welcome into our families will leave us. While this inevitability may not be at the forefront of our minds, it becomes painfully apparent as we...
Preparing for Fall with Older Pets
Autumn has returned, and with it, the perfect opportunity to assess how your pet's needs have evolved since last fall. Depending on your pet's size and breed, they have aged between 4 and 8 years since the previous autumn. It's astonishing how this passage of time can...
How Often Should I Take My Senior Pet to the Veterinarian?
I love seniors. Dogs, cats, ferrets, humans... love ‘em. While they are not all like this, they often give me a sense of calm wisdom when I am around them. Dogs are especially emotive in this way. Of course, I love puppies and kittens too, but I find that our senior...
Elevate Your Veterinary Career with Compassionate End-of-Life Care at Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice
My Rewarding Journey with Hampton Roads Veterinary HospiceEmbarking on my career in end-of-life care almost a year ago was undoubtedly one of the best decisions I've ever made. The support I've received from my team at Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice (HRVH) has been...
Sending Your Kid to College with a Senior Pet: Easing the Transition
Going back to school can bring significant changes for our pets when the kids in the home head off to college. Discover ways to ease this transition for everyone involved.Before Your Scholar Leaves for CollegeBefore your scholar heads off to college, have an open...
It’s Not Weird: Unconventional Ways of Honoring Your Pet’s Body at Life’s End
I recently helped a cat named Rorschach in Fort Collins, CO make his peaceful transition. He was a beautiful black and white cat that had a heart-shaped spot on his right forearm. That spot was very special to his owner, Tiffany, who was saying goodbye that day. The...
Pet Hospice Care: Helping to ease suffering for dogs and cats with cancer & other terminal illnesses.
As told through the story of sweet Rylie, a Caring Pathways hospice patient. Rylie was always a happy dog — arguably one of the happiest dogs that ever lived. She always had a smile on her face and such a wiggly nubbin of a tail that her whole bottom swayed back and...
Making Peaceful Goodbyes: The Benefits of In-Home Pet Euthanasia
Your older dog has been your buddy for a long time. Maybe since they were a pup or perhaps you were lucky enough to find your friend later in their life. You have been able to tell when they were ready for dinner or for their walk. You know when they are tired,...
Summer Pet Care Tips: Keeping Your Furry Friends Safe and Cool
As the summer season arrives, it's time to make the most of the longer and brighter evenings with our beloved pets. At Caring Pathways, we understand the importance of exercising our furry friends safely during this time of year. Regular exercise not only contributes...
Scheduling a Pet Euthanasia Appointment: The Importance of Planning Ahead
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is never easy, and as pet owners, we want to ensure their final moments are filled with love, compassion, and dignity. At Caring Pathways, we understand the emotional and challenging decision-making process that comes with scheduling a...
How Do I Know When It’s Time to Say Goodbye? A Guide for Pet Owners
Saying goodbye to our beloved furry friends is one of the most difficult decisions we may ever face as pet owners. As our pets age, it's natural to wonder when it's the right time to say goodbye and provide them with the peace and comfort they deserve. In this blog,...
Tips for Senior Pet Care During Your Vacation
Summer is approaching, and as you plan your vacation, you may be concerned about who will take care of your senior pet. Leaving an older pet, especially one with special needs, can be challenging and cause anxiety. At Caring Pathways, we understand these concerns and...
Angel Pets In Virgina Beach
Pets hold a very special place in our hearts. They are our loyal companions, always by our side through thick and thin. We cherish them for the joy they bring into our lives and the unconditional love they shower upon us. As pet owners, we are blessed to have these...