Helpful Articles for Your Pet’s End-of-Life Journey
Saying Goodbye During a Pandemic: A Letter From Our Veterinarian Team
We understand that this is one of the most difficult decisions you will ever make. And in these unprecedented and uncertain times, the reality is that our current situation makes this whole experience even more unexpected and stressful than it "typically" should be....
Self Care Practices for Social Distancing
Written by: Grief Support Specialist, Mandi Browning I hope this message finds you safe and healthy! What a time we are living in. Many of us have never seen anything like this pandemic in our lifetime. We are working from home, schooling our children from home and...
Benefits of Walking your Dog
January is National Walk Your Pet Month. It's not to late to celebrate with your dog and explore the benefits of this healthy activity. Your cat would likely politely decline the offer, but keep an eye on the Caring Pathways blog for at home cat enrichment ideas in...
The Second Annual Pet Memorial Day Event
There is nothing quite like being in a space that is full of grief and love. There is something in the air that cannot be present in any other place. There is a heaviness yet a lightness. There is sadness yet laughter and love. Grief is simply the reaction we have to...
4th of July Pet Safety Tips: Fireworks, BBQ, and Leftovers
The 4th of July is a wonderful time to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy in the U.S.A. It's also a day off for many people, allowing us to spend time with our loved ones including our pets. While many people have heard fireworks and pets don't mix, there are other areas...
Your Senior Pet’s Bucket List
When the time comes to say goodbye to our family pets, having a bucket list in mind is something that a number of people choose to do to make valuable lasting memories. A bucket list is just as individual and unique as our pets themselves. There is no one way to...
Consider Adopting a Senior Shelter Pet – Senior Pets Available at the Dumb Friends League
With April 30th being “National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day”, we at Caring Pathways would like to shine a light on an often overlooked segment of the pet population that makes up possibly the highest risk group at shelters: senior pets. Please consider adopting a senior pet at the Dumb Friends League.
St. Patrick’s Day: Irish Pet Breeds
As we celebrate the Patron Saint of Ireland on the 17th of March, it is a fitting time to celebrate all things Irish. Did you know there are dogs and cats whose roots are traced to Ireland? For some it's clear from the name while others are a little less...
How to Help Your Senior Pet’s Mobility this Winter
Here are some helpful products that can help your mobility challenged pet be safer on slippery surfaces such as ice and snow-covered stairs: Traction booties- found in pet stores or on Amazon Harnesses and slings Folded bath towels- looped just in front of their hind...
The Journey to Goodbye: Update from Mandi
Written by: Mandi Browning Mabel has been doing pretty good. She sleeps a bit more and it takes her longer to get comfy but she seems to be feeling well. Today is her 6 month blood work check up. These always make me anxious. I dread the day when they say that her...
Your Senior Pet’s Christmas Wish List
Your pet, like most loved ones, would like comfort and joy for the holidays but how do you provide for those needs? The tube of tennis balls that were once a favorite of your dog may not have the same draw they once did. The toy mice which your kitty once enjoyed...
Final Resting Place
Over the years I have said goodbye to 14 pets I have loved and lost. Each and every time I had cremains returned to me without a plan for where the cremains would eventually be placed. While cremation and disposition of the cremains is a highly personal decision, I...
National Pet Memorial Day at Seven Stones Cemetery
September 9th is National Pet Memorial Day. This year, Caring Pathways, Seven Stones Botanical Garden Cemetery and Mary Jo Honiotes partnered to provide a memorial event for people to celebrate and remember their animal companions. People came together to...
The Journey to Goodbye: Vlog with Mandi and Mabel
Vlog Question Outline: 0:11- Introduction to Mabel 0:35- What is Mabel's Personality Like? 1:20- What does Mabel mean to You? 2:08- When was Mabel Diagnosed? 3:07- How has Hospice Care helped Mabel's Journey? 3:42- How is Mabel feeling Today? 4:56- What is the...
The Journey to Goodbye: Part 6
Written by: Mandi Browning Mabel is doing well! She has seemed to gain some of her weight back and is eating and drinking all right. She still has moments where she seems confused; crying out until one of us comes to her. We are going to be gone on vacation for a week...
The Journey to Goodbye: Part 5
Written by: Mandi Browning Today is Mabel’s 16th birthday and also the anniversary of the death of her brother, Goku. It is a strange day for us and we celebrate one of our babies and grieve the other. Mabel is doing pretty well. Her appetite hasn’t been too good but...
The Journey to Goodbye: Part 4
Written by: Mandi Browning We are going out of town for 4 days. Although Mabel is doing well, it is always a bit unnerving to leave her for that long. Kidney issues can come on so quickly and I worry that she will become ill and I will not be able to get to her...
The Journey to Goodbye: Part 2
Written by: Mandi Browning Mabel is my shadow. She has always been very attached to me…and I am pretty attached to her. Whenever I am home, she is at my side. I have never been apart from her for more than a week. She is my yoga partner, my work partner and my buddy!...
The Journey to Goodbye
Written by: Mandi Browning Mabel is my 15 year old tabby cat. She came to me at 8 months old after being in a pet store that was shut down for neglect. Mabel was very sick and a bit mean. She only weighed a pound and fit in the palm of my hand, but acted as if she...
Top 10 Cat Emergencies
Cats often become reclusive and hide when they are not feeling well, which makes knowing when they need to be seen by your veterinarian a challenge. They have unique signs of emergency conditions that often go unrecognized by owners. Some injuries are obvious, such as...
Easter Pet Poisons
The veterinarians at Pet Poison Helpline receive hundreds of calls this time of year from pet owners and veterinarians concerning cats that have ingested Easter lilies. “Unbeknownst to many pet owners, Easter lilies are highly toxic to cats,” said Ahna Brutlag, DVM,...
Caring for Pets When It Matters Most
Pets are part of the family, but sadly, they’re only with us for a season. Once that season nears its end, a decision must be made about helping them make their end-of-life transition. Of course, this is never an easy task. At Caring Pathways, we understand how...
5 Winter Safety Tips for Pets
Here at Caring Pathways, we want to do more than just provide end-of-life-care for pets. We want to help pet owners keep their pets well for as long as possible by providing them with some safety tips throughout the year. Now that we’re in winter, there are some...
Keep Your Best Friend Safe this Holiday Season
During the holiday season, there are so many dangers our pets may encounter, but if a few extra precautions are taken, you can keep your best friend safe. Top 5 Most Common Holiday Dangers These are some of the most common dangers that are often seen during the...