Our Blog
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...
What if my pet is in need of end-of-life care in the middle of the night?
It is always difficult seeing our pets in need. It can be particularly difficult when its late at night and sound advice is hard to find. We have put together some ideas to help you reduce the chances of a late night emergency and stay calm if one does happen.Stay...
What will my other pets do without my pet who passed?
Our compassionate team of veterinarians are asked this question many times each week. The short answer is, it varies. While pet's reactions to loss do vary, there are some common experiences which are good to know when helping your own pets.Recognizing the LossIt...
How do I overcome the grief of losing my pet?
The death of an animal companion is often an extremely difficult loss. There are no words to describe the relationship we have with them; they are our child, companion, adventure partner, therapist and family member. It is no wonder we have such a hard time when they...
Do pets feel pain when euthanized?
As a veterinarian working in end-of-life care I often hear the phrase, “I wish my pet would just pass in their sleep.” While we all hope for a quick, peaceful, painless death for our beloved dogs and cats, it is not always the case when it comes to natural death. This...
How do I know when My Senior Dog is Suffering?
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,...
AAHA Accredited End-of-Life Care in Virginia Beach
We are honored to have passed our American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accreditation process to become one of the first AAHA accredited end-of-life care practices in the country, and the first in the Hampton Roads, VA area! Click the video below to hear from...
A Day in the Life of an End-of-Life Care Veterinarian
My name is Chas Dickens, DVM. I am a veterinarian and I specialize in at-home end-of-life care, to include hospice care for pets along Colorado’s front range. Working out of my black Subaru, I travel all over the front range from Golden to Loveland, Lyons to Parker,...
Supporting Children through the Loss of a Pet
Losing a pet is a difficult journey for anyone. Although there are some well-accepted stages of the grief process, each person is unique in how they will journey through that process. Parenting our children through that process compounds the complexity of the...
What to Expect at an In-Home Euthanasia Appointment
The following article is intended to give pet families a general idea of what to expect when scheduling in-home euthanasia appointment for your loved one. Please give our team a call or send us an email if you have any questions about this process. Before Your...
My Geriatric Cat’s Response to Solensia
Bobby's StoryOur cat Bobby was considered elderly the day we adopted him, 9 years ago. “Thank you for adopting a senior!” the Denver Dumb Friends League (DDFL) cashier said when we checked out with our newest family member. This was December of 2013. DDFL was...
2022 Memorial Tribute Video
As we head into 2023, we want to take moment to honor and reflect on those watching from the Rainbow Bridge. We hope this memorial tribute lets you share in this reflection and smile at the memories. Your beloved furry family members are alphabetically ordered in the...
They Don’t Deserve to Hurt: Animal Pain Awareness Month
September is Animal Pain Awareness month. What a special opportunity to talk about signs of pain in our pets. The biggest question pet owners want to know…. “Is my pet in pain?” Just asking this question shows how much you love your pet and want to support them. Pain...
Our Commitment to Supporting the Morris Animal Foundation
Did you know that a portion of every Caring Pathways appointment goes to 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...
A Playlist to Help Say Goodbye to a Beloved Pet
We know saying goodbye to your beloved furry family member is the hardest decision you will make. Our team at Caring Pathways created this playlist to help provide a calming and reflective atmosphere when that time comes 💜.A Pet Loss Grief Support PlaylistWe...
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...
Feel Good Fridays
We understand that the nature of our work as an in-home end-of-life pet care practice can come with quite a bit of grief and sadness. It is a privilege for us to be able to help pet families during this difficult time and to honor a pet's life through Pet Tributes on...
Caring for Your Senior Cat
Do you have a beloved feline friend who is entering their senior years? At Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice, it is our goal to help you take steps to make the final chapter of your cat's life as comfortable and memorable as possible. In this article, we will discuss...
Monitoring Your Senior Pet’s Dental and Heart Health
February is a time often associated with the emotion of love, but did you know it also happens to be National Heart and Dental Health month? What better time to share an article to help support families who love a senior or ill pet and what to monitor for with regards...
