More Aussies are choosing end-of-life care for their pets, would you?

The Advertiser

2 days ago

For Vicki, 65, and Dennis Cleghorn, 69, their beloved greyhounds Finn and Roy were their children and their "world", so when they became ill they wanted to make sure they had everything they needed - and they're not alone.
Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world, and according to the RSPCA's 2023 data, there are around 28.7 million animals in Australian homes - that's 69 per cent of national households with a pet.
And more parents of fur babies are now paying extra money for services, such as in-home palliative care and euthanasia so their much loved family member has a comfortable end-of-life experience.
Read more from The Senior:
When the Victorian couple's dogs weren't doing well when they travelled overseas in 2023, they were heartbroken and rallied family, a dog sitter and Rest Your Paws veterinarian Laura McGuffog to keep the dogs company and monitor their health.
But by the time they got back, their beloved dog Finn had taken a turn for the worse and they were thankful to be back for her darkest days.
Mrs Cleghorn said when Finn's time had come, having an in-home service felt less "clinical" and it also saved her beloved pooch from having the additional stress of being moved from her bed to go to a vet's clinic.
Instead, the family gathered and said their goodbyes in a more personal way.
"We all sat on the loungeroom floor with Finney in her bed and spoke to her," she said.
The Cleghorn's were especially touched when Dr McGuffog arrived with McDonald's chicken nuggets - Finns favourite - as a farewell gift that both Roy and Finn ate together.
"There was no rush. She [Dr McGuffog] took her time," Ms Cleghorn said. "And then finally she said, 'we'll say goodbye now'."
Mrs Cleghorn said after their emotional farewells were said "as she went off to sleep", a "little stretcher" was brought into the home, with the male family members helping lift Finn onto it and out to a vehicle.
Through tears, Mrs Cleghorn recalled how "amazed" she was Finn would be taken to her final resting place amongst pillows and flowers that adorned the car.
Mrs Cleghorn said saying goodbye in their home to their "daughter" helped with closure and made them feel like they did everything they could do to make her comfortable.
Sadly, it was only a few months later when they had to rally the troops again to help with their former racing dog, Roy, who unexpectantly experienced more serious seizures when the couple were away.
Heartbreakingly, they couldn't get back in time, so Dr McGuffog again came to the house - with nuggets and a "soft-serve from McDonald's" - and the devastated couple watched on their cameras, with Roy able to hear their voices saying goodbye.
"Laura did it with such tenderness and respect for the animal and us as owners," Vicki said.
The pair always told Roy they would give him the "best" life and with the home service, the couple feel like they kept their promise.
But palliative care isn't just about fulfilling a need to make animals as comfortable as possible in their final days - it is also helping people with low-mobility or illness to be able to say their final goodbyes.
"I personally have had clients who are bedridden, and they've been able to say goodbye to their pet on their bed, in their lap, in their arms, and still have that connection," Dr McGuffog told The Senior.
Dr McGuffog has noticed a difference with pet owners who choose the in-home service.
"People look up at you afterwards and say, 'that was just so peaceful'," she said.
Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
For Vicki, 65, and Dennis Cleghorn, 69, their beloved greyhounds Finn and Roy were their children and their "world", so when they became ill they wanted to make sure they had everything they needed - and they're not alone.
Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world, and according to the RSPCA's 2023 data, there are around 28.7 million animals in Australian homes - that's 69 per cent of national households with a pet.
And more parents of fur babies are now paying extra money for services, such as in-home palliative care and euthanasia so their much loved family member has a comfortable end-of-life experience.
Read more from The Senior:
When the Victorian couple's dogs weren't doing well when they travelled overseas in 2023, they were heartbroken and rallied family, a dog sitter and Rest Your Paws veterinarian Laura McGuffog to keep the dogs company and monitor their health.
But by the time they got back, their beloved dog Finn had taken a turn for the worse and they were thankful to be back for her darkest days.
Mrs Cleghorn said when Finn's time had come, having an in-home service felt less "clinical" and it also saved her beloved pooch from having the additional stress of being moved from her bed to go to a vet's clinic.
Instead, the family gathered and said their goodbyes in a more personal way.
"We all sat on the loungeroom floor with Finney in her bed and spoke to her," she said.
The Cleghorn's were especially touched when Dr McGuffog arrived with McDonald's chicken nuggets - Finns favourite - as a farewell gift that both Roy and Finn ate together.
"There was no rush. She [Dr McGuffog] took her time," Ms Cleghorn said. "And then finally she said, 'we'll say goodbye now'."
Mrs Cleghorn said after their emotional farewells were said "as she went off to sleep", a "little stretcher" was brought into the home, with the male family members helping lift Finn onto it and out to a vehicle.
Through tears, Mrs Cleghorn recalled how "amazed" she was Finn would be taken to her final resting place amongst pillows and flowers that adorned the car.
Mrs Cleghorn said saying goodbye in their home to their "daughter" helped with closure and made them feel like they did everything they could do to make her comfortable.
Sadly, it was only a few months later when they had to rally the troops again to help with their former racing dog, Roy, who unexpectantly experienced more serious seizures when the couple were away.
Heartbreakingly, they couldn't get back in time, so Dr McGuffog again came to the house - with nuggets and a "soft-serve from McDonald's" - and the devastated couple watched on their cameras, with Roy able to hear their voices saying goodbye.
"Laura did it with such tenderness and respect for the animal and us as owners," Vicki said.
The pair always told Roy they would give him the "best" life and with the home service, the couple feel like they kept their promise.
But palliative care isn't just about fulfilling a need to make animals as comfortable as possible in their final days - it is also helping people with low-mobility or illness to be able to say their final goodbyes.
"I personally have had clients who are bedridden, and they've been able to say goodbye to their pet on their bed, in their lap, in their arms, and still have that connection," Dr McGuffog told The Senior.
Dr McGuffog has noticed a difference with pet owners who choose the in-home service.
"People look up at you afterwards and say, 'that was just so peaceful'," she said.
Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
For Vicki, 65, and Dennis Cleghorn, 69, their beloved greyhounds Finn and Roy were their children and their "world", so when they became ill they wanted to make sure they had everything they needed - and they're not alone.
Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world, and according to the RSPCA's 2023 data, there are around 28.7 million animals in Australian homes - that's 69 per cent of national households with a pet.
And more parents of fur babies are now paying extra money for services, such as in-home palliative care and euthanasia so their much loved family member has a comfortable end-of-life experience.
Read more from The Senior:
When the Victorian couple's dogs weren't doing well when they travelled overseas in 2023, they were heartbroken and rallied family, a dog sitter and Rest Your Paws veterinarian Laura McGuffog to keep the dogs company and monitor their health.
But by the time they got back, their beloved dog Finn had taken a turn for the worse and they were thankful to be back for her darkest days.
Mrs Cleghorn said when Finn's time had come, having an in-home service felt less "clinical" and it also saved her beloved pooch from having the additional stress of being moved from her bed to go to a vet's clinic.
Instead, the family gathered and said their goodbyes in a more personal way.
"We all sat on the loungeroom floor with Finney in her bed and spoke to her," she said.
The Cleghorn's were especially touched when Dr McGuffog arrived with McDonald's chicken nuggets - Finns favourite - as a farewell gift that both Roy and Finn ate together.
"There was no rush. She [Dr McGuffog] took her time," Ms Cleghorn said. "And then finally she said, 'we'll say goodbye now'."
Mrs Cleghorn said after their emotional farewells were said "as she went off to sleep", a "little stretcher" was brought into the home, with the male family members helping lift Finn onto it and out to a vehicle.
Through tears, Mrs Cleghorn recalled how "amazed" she was Finn would be taken to her final resting place amongst pillows and flowers that adorned the car.
Mrs Cleghorn said saying goodbye in their home to their "daughter" helped with closure and made them feel like they did everything they could do to make her comfortable.
Sadly, it was only a few months later when they had to rally the troops again to help with their former racing dog, Roy, who unexpectantly experienced more serious seizures when the couple were away.
Heartbreakingly, they couldn't get back in time, so Dr McGuffog again came to the house - with nuggets and a "soft-serve from McDonald's" - and the devastated couple watched on their cameras, with Roy able to hear their voices saying goodbye.
"Laura did it with such tenderness and respect for the animal and us as owners," Vicki said.
The pair always told Roy they would give him the "best" life and with the home service, the couple feel like they kept their promise.
But palliative care isn't just about fulfilling a need to make animals as comfortable as possible in their final days - it is also helping people with low-mobility or illness to be able to say their final goodbyes.
"I personally have had clients who are bedridden, and they've been able to say goodbye to their pet on their bed, in their lap, in their arms, and still have that connection," Dr McGuffog told The Senior.
Dr McGuffog has noticed a difference with pet owners who choose the in-home service.
"People look up at you afterwards and say, 'that was just so peaceful'," she said.
Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
For Vicki, 65, and Dennis Cleghorn, 69, their beloved greyhounds Finn and Roy were their children and their "world", so when they became ill they wanted to make sure they had everything they needed - and they're not alone.
Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world, and according to the RSPCA's 2023 data, there are around 28.7 million animals in Australian homes - that's 69 per cent of national households with a pet.
And more parents of fur babies are now paying extra money for services, such as in-home palliative care and euthanasia so their much loved family member has a comfortable end-of-life experience.
Read more from The Senior:
When the Victorian couple's dogs weren't doing well when they travelled overseas in 2023, they were heartbroken and rallied family, a dog sitter and Rest Your Paws veterinarian Laura McGuffog to keep the dogs company and monitor their health.
But by the time they got back, their beloved dog Finn had taken a turn for the worse and they were thankful to be back for her darkest days.
Mrs Cleghorn said when Finn's time had come, having an in-home service felt less "clinical" and it also saved her beloved pooch from having the additional stress of being moved from her bed to go to a vet's clinic.
Instead, the family gathered and said their goodbyes in a more personal way.
"We all sat on the loungeroom floor with Finney in her bed and spoke to her," she said.
The Cleghorn's were especially touched when Dr McGuffog arrived with McDonald's chicken nuggets - Finns favourite - as a farewell gift that both Roy and Finn ate together.
"There was no rush. She [Dr McGuffog] took her time," Ms Cleghorn said. "And then finally she said, 'we'll say goodbye now'."
Mrs Cleghorn said after their emotional farewells were said "as she went off to sleep", a "little stretcher" was brought into the home, with the male family members helping lift Finn onto it and out to a vehicle.
Through tears, Mrs Cleghorn recalled how "amazed" she was Finn would be taken to her final resting place amongst pillows and flowers that adorned the car.
Mrs Cleghorn said saying goodbye in their home to their "daughter" helped with closure and made them feel like they did everything they could do to make her comfortable.
Sadly, it was only a few months later when they had to rally the troops again to help with their former racing dog, Roy, who unexpectantly experienced more serious seizures when the couple were away.
Heartbreakingly, they couldn't get back in time, so Dr McGuffog again came to the house - with nuggets and a "soft-serve from McDonald's" - and the devastated couple watched on their cameras, with Roy able to hear their voices saying goodbye.
"Laura did it with such tenderness and respect for the animal and us as owners," Vicki said.
The pair always told Roy they would give him the "best" life and with the home service, the couple feel like they kept their promise.
But palliative care isn't just about fulfilling a need to make animals as comfortable as possible in their final days - it is also helping people with low-mobility or illness to be able to say their final goodbyes.
"I personally have had clients who are bedridden, and they've been able to say goodbye to their pet on their bed, in their lap, in their arms, and still have that connection," Dr McGuffog told The Senior.
Dr McGuffog has noticed a difference with pet owners who choose the in-home service.
"People look up at you afterwards and say, 'that was just so peaceful'," she said.
Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.