Our Blog
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...
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, āI wish my pet would just pass in their sleep.ā 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,...
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 Coloradoās 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...
My Geriatric Cat’s Response to Solensia
Bobby's StoryOur cat Bobby was considered elderly the day we adopted him, 9 years ago. āThank you for adopting a senior!ā the Denver Dumb Friends League (DDFL) cashier said when we checked out with our newest family member. This was December of 2013. DDFL was...
The Caring Pathways 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...
What Should I Do if My Pet Dies at Home?
If you are reading this, you are likely in a position that no pet owner wants to be in... Your beloved fur child has either passed away on their own in your home, or you are facing the thought that this may be a reality for you in the near future. If this is you, we...
When You Know Itās Time: Preparing for the Loss of a Pet
From the moment you take your new furry family member home with you, there is one reality that nobody can escape: in the best of circumstances and if everything goes as planned, one day you will say goodbye to your beloved pet. Preparing for the loss of a pet can help...
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 knowā¦. āIs my pet in pain?āĀ 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 š.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 itās not possible to cure their petās disease or...
Offering a “Fear Free” Experience for Your Pet’s End-of-Life Journey
Do you know that all of the Caring Pathways veterinarians and nursing team members are Fear Free-certified? We believe that offering the most compassionate at-home end-of-life care must include a āfear freeā experience.Prioritizing a Fear Free ExperienceWhen your pet...
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 TributesĀ on...
Caring for Your Senior Cat
Do you have a beloved feline friend who is entering their senior years? At Caring Pathways, 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 healthcare,...
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...
Meet Our Field Service Team: What Happens When My Pet Passes Away At Home?
A few months ago I visited a coupleās home in the heart of Denver. I was welcomed into the home by a woman with tears in her eyes. She brought me to where her husband was seated on the floor in the other room, as he held his sweet Basset Hound in his arms dearly. This...
How to Approach the End-of-Life Decision for Your Pet After A Cancer Diagnosis
Pet cancer visited our home for the first time the summer between my second and third years of vet school. Tuna, my beloved 5-year-old cat, was diagnosed with high grade, B cell intestinal lymphoma. As a veterinary student, I knew it was āthe bad one.ā We were swiftly...
Pet Cancer Awareness Month: A Veterinarian’s Story with Their Beloved Pet
Pet cancer visited our home for the first time the summer between my second and third years of vet school. My husband and I had just gotten back from dinner and our 5-year-old cat, Tuna, who normally greeted us at the door, was nowhere to be seen. We checked her usual...