1 00:00:09,840 --> 00:00:14,160 Speaker 1: You're listening to In the Vets Office with doctor Josie Horchak. 2 00:00:18,280 --> 00:00:20,720 Speaker 2: Hey, guys, and welcome back to In the Vets Office. 3 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:24,040 Speaker 2: I am your host, doctor Josie, and this week we 4 00:00:24,079 --> 00:00:26,880 Speaker 2: are gonna switch things up just a little bit. Usually 5 00:00:26,880 --> 00:00:30,040 Speaker 2: we like to keep this podcast light, informative, but light, 6 00:00:30,320 --> 00:00:32,159 Speaker 2: and this week we're gonna talk about a little bit 7 00:00:32,159 --> 00:00:36,839 Speaker 2: heavier of subjects such as dealing with your senior pets, 8 00:00:37,400 --> 00:00:41,240 Speaker 2: end of life, quality of life, euthanasia, and the grief 9 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:44,800 Speaker 2: that comes after euthanasia. I wanted to create this intro 10 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:47,360 Speaker 2: as a trigger warning if you're not in the right 11 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:51,000 Speaker 2: headspace to talk about or listen to these subjects, that 12 00:00:51,159 --> 00:00:54,320 Speaker 2: is completely understandable, and just wanted to make you aware 13 00:00:54,360 --> 00:00:58,920 Speaker 2: that the episode will be focused around them. I really 14 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:01,960 Speaker 2: wanted to talk about these subjects because whether you have 15 00:01:02,040 --> 00:01:04,479 Speaker 2: a pet, or your pet is a senior, or you've 16 00:01:04,600 --> 00:01:07,440 Speaker 2: had to euthanize an animal before, it's inevitable as a 17 00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:09,959 Speaker 2: pet owner that we at some point will have to 18 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:12,520 Speaker 2: deal with these and it's nice to know that you're 19 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:15,720 Speaker 2: not alone, there are resources out there for you, and 20 00:01:16,080 --> 00:01:18,280 Speaker 2: just a little bit of comfort in how to deal 21 00:01:18,319 --> 00:01:21,400 Speaker 2: with it going forward. We're gonna hold off on doing 22 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:24,280 Speaker 2: Paw and Order and Case of the Week and listener 23 00:01:24,400 --> 00:01:26,559 Speaker 2: question and answers. I feel like this is a pretty 24 00:01:26,600 --> 00:01:29,720 Speaker 2: heavy subject and so doing those segments feels a little 25 00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:33,720 Speaker 2: trivial to me, So we'll just focus on the bread 26 00:01:33,720 --> 00:01:37,319 Speaker 2: and butter and dive right into our interview. So, without 27 00:01:37,319 --> 00:01:44,520 Speaker 2: further ado, here we go. All right, Today, we have 28 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:47,480 Speaker 2: doctor Mary Gardner joining us in the BETS office. She's 29 00:01:47,480 --> 00:01:50,680 Speaker 2: a veterinarian, an author, a public speaker, and the co 30 00:01:50,760 --> 00:01:53,040 Speaker 2: founder of Lap of Love, which, for those of you 31 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:55,360 Speaker 2: not familiar with Lap of Love, it's a service that 32 00:01:55,400 --> 00:01:59,880 Speaker 2: provides in home pet euthanasia, veterinary hospice, and pet loss 33 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:03,920 Speaker 2: coport services. Doctor Mary prides herself in making the lives 34 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:06,640 Speaker 2: of our older pets and the people who love them better, 35 00:02:06,680 --> 00:02:08,720 Speaker 2: so I figured she was the perfect guest to have 36 00:02:08,760 --> 00:02:11,400 Speaker 2: today to discuss the end of life with our pets. 37 00:02:11,480 --> 00:02:14,480 Speaker 2: Welcome doctor Mary, thank you for having me. 38 00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:15,080 Speaker 1: How are you. 39 00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:18,520 Speaker 2: I'm doing great. I'm so happy to have you on today. 40 00:02:18,560 --> 00:02:22,320 Speaker 2: I was prior to our interview giving our listeners a 41 00:02:22,360 --> 00:02:24,360 Speaker 2: little bit of a heads up that these are some 42 00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:29,240 Speaker 2: heavier topics to discuss, but important ones and everybody as 43 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:32,079 Speaker 2: a pet owner at some point will we'll be dealing 44 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:33,600 Speaker 2: with them. So I think it's really important that we 45 00:02:33,639 --> 00:02:36,480 Speaker 2: are able to talk openly about it, right. 46 00:02:36,880 --> 00:02:40,080 Speaker 1: I know we're such a death adverse society in general, 47 00:02:40,480 --> 00:02:45,320 Speaker 1: even in human death right and so it's it's not 48 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:47,240 Speaker 1: a topic that people want to talk about, but yet 49 00:02:47,280 --> 00:02:49,520 Speaker 1: they need to talk about it, and then they usually 50 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:51,840 Speaker 1: feel better after talking about it, so they just at 51 00:02:51,960 --> 00:02:54,480 Speaker 1: least know their options. Do we know what to expect 52 00:02:54,880 --> 00:02:57,520 Speaker 1: and then can sit back and still enjoy life. 53 00:02:57,800 --> 00:03:00,720 Speaker 2: Yeah? Absolutely. And I know I mentioned I just mentioned 54 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:02,480 Speaker 2: lap of Love and that you were a co founder 55 00:03:02,480 --> 00:03:04,800 Speaker 2: and before we dive into all the things, I actually 56 00:03:05,320 --> 00:03:08,919 Speaker 2: used Lap of Love for one of my dogs previously, 57 00:03:08,960 --> 00:03:10,000 Speaker 2: and I just want to let you know it was 58 00:03:10,040 --> 00:03:14,080 Speaker 2: such a great experience. And I know at home usin 59 00:03:14,120 --> 00:03:16,080 Speaker 2: Asia is not for everyone, but I think it's a 60 00:03:16,120 --> 00:03:20,080 Speaker 2: great option to have. And I can't say how in 61 00:03:20,120 --> 00:03:22,640 Speaker 2: a terrible situation, how great of an experience I had. 62 00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:26,760 Speaker 1: Thank you for saying that it is. Yeah, it's you know, 63 00:03:26,800 --> 00:03:31,040 Speaker 1: it's a personal choice of where and who's around and 64 00:03:31,080 --> 00:03:33,600 Speaker 1: things like that, and you know, I do feel that 65 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:36,440 Speaker 1: they're most comfortable in their home and we don't have to, 66 00:03:36,600 --> 00:03:38,920 Speaker 1: you know, do a final ride in the car or 67 00:03:38,920 --> 00:03:41,800 Speaker 1: anything like that. But also we're a little bit more 68 00:03:41,800 --> 00:03:45,120 Speaker 1: comfortable in the home and if we want to, you know, 69 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:47,720 Speaker 1: grieve in our own way, we can without having to 70 00:03:47,720 --> 00:03:50,360 Speaker 1: worry about who's seeing us or anything like that. So, 71 00:03:51,360 --> 00:03:54,120 Speaker 1: but like you said, not not everybody wants that, and 72 00:03:54,160 --> 00:03:56,480 Speaker 1: not everybody can have that because sometimes we're at the 73 00:03:56,480 --> 00:03:59,880 Speaker 1: emergency clinic or something like that and it's it's unfortunate. 74 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:03,080 Speaker 1: So we're very blessed to have such a rewarding career 75 00:04:03,640 --> 00:04:07,800 Speaker 1: and or niche in the veterinary space, and we love 76 00:04:07,880 --> 00:04:10,200 Speaker 1: making that last final moment just a bit better. 77 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:15,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, I agree. One thing I wanted to talk about 78 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:18,479 Speaker 2: is I think I'm sure, I'm sure you'll relate to 79 00:04:18,520 --> 00:04:20,960 Speaker 2: this that as veterinarians, a lot of times people think 80 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:23,760 Speaker 2: we are playing with kittens and puppies and running around 81 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:27,360 Speaker 2: it's rainbows and butterflies, But a huge portion of our 82 00:04:27,480 --> 00:04:32,120 Speaker 2: job is taking care of senior patients and ensuring that 83 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:36,320 Speaker 2: they're healthy overall and they're comfortable, and so I think 84 00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:38,240 Speaker 2: a really a big part of our job. And I'll 85 00:04:38,279 --> 00:04:40,640 Speaker 2: be interested to hear you expand on it is focusing 86 00:04:40,720 --> 00:04:44,360 Speaker 2: on our senior pets and then also recognizing that age 87 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:47,000 Speaker 2: is not necessarily a disease, although it can certainly come 88 00:04:47,040 --> 00:04:47,840 Speaker 2: with its challenges. 89 00:04:49,360 --> 00:04:51,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, I always say age isn't a disease, but it 90 00:04:51,839 --> 00:04:57,480 Speaker 1: does bring disease, and our bodies do start to age 91 00:04:57,520 --> 00:05:01,000 Speaker 1: and have you know, it may not be a failure 92 00:05:01,040 --> 00:05:03,000 Speaker 1: of an organ or something like that, but we don't 93 00:05:03,040 --> 00:05:05,840 Speaker 1: have the same reparative processes. We don't have the same 94 00:05:06,480 --> 00:05:09,359 Speaker 1: energy level, the ability to fight off infections, and so 95 00:05:10,360 --> 00:05:12,320 Speaker 1: it's just it's just a fact of life, even for 96 00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:15,720 Speaker 1: our humans. But did you know that forty four percent 97 00:05:15,760 --> 00:05:19,960 Speaker 1: of pets, our senior are senior or more so. I 98 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:23,120 Speaker 1: love double digits, so the more double digits they have, 99 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:25,880 Speaker 1: the better, like a teenager if you will. But forty 100 00:05:25,920 --> 00:05:28,800 Speaker 1: four percent are over seven years old. And that's massive, 101 00:05:28,839 --> 00:05:30,640 Speaker 1: And so to your point, everybody thinks we're playing with 102 00:05:30,720 --> 00:05:33,960 Speaker 1: puppies or kittens, but that's that's actually only about twelve 103 00:05:33,960 --> 00:05:35,960 Speaker 1: percent of the population as a puppi er kitten because 104 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:39,040 Speaker 1: eventually obviously they go to two, three, four years old, 105 00:05:39,720 --> 00:05:41,320 Speaker 1: but the majority is actually. 106 00:05:41,160 --> 00:05:44,839 Speaker 2: Seniors, right, And I think that a really important part 107 00:05:44,839 --> 00:05:48,440 Speaker 2: for owners listening is bringing your pets in once they 108 00:05:48,480 --> 00:05:50,880 Speaker 2: hit senior hood. I think bringing them in twice year 109 00:05:50,920 --> 00:05:52,720 Speaker 2: is really important, just that way we can lay our 110 00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:56,120 Speaker 2: hands on them or running lab work on an annual basis, 111 00:05:56,200 --> 00:05:58,560 Speaker 2: we can we can see how they're doing. We have 112 00:05:58,640 --> 00:06:00,760 Speaker 2: a good baseline, and then if some thing does come up, 113 00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:03,960 Speaker 2: we can be on top of it. And focusing on 114 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:06,160 Speaker 2: that preventative care I think can make a huge difference. 115 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:10,159 Speaker 1: Yeah, And you know, I was just this morning, I 116 00:06:10,240 --> 00:06:12,719 Speaker 1: was somewhere and this gentleman says, oh, I have a 117 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:16,440 Speaker 1: twelve year old boxer, And this was just I wasn't 118 00:06:16,480 --> 00:06:19,680 Speaker 1: in a clinic, right, this is just random, and and 119 00:06:19,680 --> 00:06:21,640 Speaker 1: he's like, oh, you know, her hips are really bad, 120 00:06:21,960 --> 00:06:26,360 Speaker 1: and so it's a very common thing all here as well. 121 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:28,640 Speaker 1: She's just she's getting old and what are we going 122 00:06:28,720 --> 00:06:30,919 Speaker 1: to do? And I'm like, and I wanted to, of 123 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:33,839 Speaker 1: course go into my whole talk and conversation, but I 124 00:06:33,839 --> 00:06:37,960 Speaker 1: didn't have time. So what really makes me sad? And 125 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:40,920 Speaker 1: so many people think that doing euthanasias is what makes 126 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:44,920 Speaker 1: me sad. I do get sad, but that's not what 127 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:48,279 Speaker 1: makes me sad is But what does is that so 128 00:06:48,360 --> 00:06:52,160 Speaker 1: many older pets have not been to their doctor. And 129 00:06:53,120 --> 00:06:56,679 Speaker 1: it is about forty nine percent of dogs and cats 130 00:06:56,760 --> 00:07:00,400 Speaker 1: are not seen by their veterinarian the last year life. 131 00:07:01,600 --> 00:07:04,120 Speaker 1: So let's just round that up to fifty percent because 132 00:07:04,160 --> 00:07:06,400 Speaker 1: it's a lot easier to talk. Half the pets that 133 00:07:06,440 --> 00:07:09,279 Speaker 1: we euthanize in the United States have not been to 134 00:07:09,279 --> 00:07:12,080 Speaker 1: their doctor the year before they pass, and that's where 135 00:07:12,280 --> 00:07:15,240 Speaker 1: a lot of stuff happens where we can help manage, 136 00:07:15,400 --> 00:07:18,840 Speaker 1: and whether it's pain relief or anxiety relief or just 137 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:22,280 Speaker 1: products and setting, you know, setting up their house. This 138 00:07:22,360 --> 00:07:25,360 Speaker 1: gentleman with this boxer, he's like, oh, she just you know, 139 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:27,400 Speaker 1: she can't get a grip on the floor. She skates 140 00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:29,360 Speaker 1: all over and I'm like, oh my gosh, that's so 141 00:07:29,600 --> 00:07:34,240 Speaker 1: easy to fix. And he just doesn't know. So I 142 00:07:34,240 --> 00:07:37,000 Speaker 1: would love twice a year's ideal. We got to get 143 00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:39,640 Speaker 1: him in yere, they're not even coming in at all, 144 00:07:39,720 --> 00:07:40,760 Speaker 1: So how do we get them in? 145 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:44,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, And I think it's like reframing our mindset as owners, 146 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:47,760 Speaker 2: where oh, they're just old. Isn't really the mindset that 147 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:50,320 Speaker 2: we want to have because there are so many things 148 00:07:50,320 --> 00:07:52,360 Speaker 2: that we can be doing to make their life better. 149 00:07:53,080 --> 00:07:54,960 Speaker 1: Correct, you know, it's interesting, like do we say that 150 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:58,160 Speaker 1: about ourselves when we're when we're going to be sixty 151 00:07:58,240 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 1: seventies right, like and some that hurts or we can't 152 00:08:02,040 --> 00:08:04,160 Speaker 1: see as well? Are we just going to say I'm 153 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:06,840 Speaker 1: just old? So I'm not going to go like we don't. 154 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:10,560 Speaker 1: I don't think we say that to ourselves. And I mean, listen, 155 00:08:10,640 --> 00:08:12,560 Speaker 1: I'm in my I'm in my early fifties, and I 156 00:08:12,560 --> 00:08:14,680 Speaker 1: feel like there's a doctor's appointment on my calendar all 157 00:08:14,720 --> 00:08:17,560 Speaker 1: the time, Like there's just I have to go to 158 00:08:17,600 --> 00:08:21,559 Speaker 1: the dermatologists tomorrow, and you know, my knees are hurting, 159 00:08:21,640 --> 00:08:24,240 Speaker 1: so there's I feel like I'm always somewhere in a 160 00:08:24,280 --> 00:08:27,640 Speaker 1: doctor's office. But we don't say that in our to ourselves. 161 00:08:27,640 --> 00:08:29,480 Speaker 1: So why would we say the same thing for our pets? 162 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:31,240 Speaker 2: Right? And I think a huge portion of it is 163 00:08:31,280 --> 00:08:34,160 Speaker 2: they can't talk, so we really have to advocate for them. 164 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:37,160 Speaker 2: And even if you think your pet is perfectly healthy, 165 00:08:37,280 --> 00:08:39,000 Speaker 2: they still need to go in for their checkup because 166 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:42,199 Speaker 2: we can. We are trained as terinarians to see these 167 00:08:42,240 --> 00:08:45,080 Speaker 2: issues and help make your life and their life better. 168 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:48,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, and you know a lot of people will say, oh, 169 00:08:48,480 --> 00:08:50,920 Speaker 1: pets hide the hide their pain, so we don't see it, 170 00:08:50,960 --> 00:08:54,079 Speaker 1: but I kind of think they just don't complain. I agree, 171 00:08:54,120 --> 00:08:58,760 Speaker 1: like we actually and also people have goggles on it 172 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:02,240 Speaker 1: they can't see things. And I'm sorry. If your pet 173 00:09:02,320 --> 00:09:06,600 Speaker 1: is slowing down, that's a sign of pain probably right, 174 00:09:07,520 --> 00:09:10,520 Speaker 1: So they actually are showing you. We just don't know 175 00:09:10,559 --> 00:09:13,280 Speaker 1: how to notice it. Oh, you know what, my kitty cat, 176 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:16,760 Speaker 1: she's not grooming herself anymore. She's just getting old. No, 177 00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:21,480 Speaker 1: she hurts, therefore she can't groom herself. Or maybe she's 178 00:09:21,520 --> 00:09:25,720 Speaker 1: got oral ulcers and she can't say anything, and what 179 00:09:25,760 --> 00:09:28,320 Speaker 1: is she going to do? Complaint? Like, they don't complain, 180 00:09:28,559 --> 00:09:32,959 Speaker 1: So they actually aren't hiding signs of they're showing you. 181 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:35,560 Speaker 1: You're just looking for a like a complaint, which they 182 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:37,600 Speaker 1: don't do, right. I mean, now with that being said, 183 00:09:37,640 --> 00:09:40,120 Speaker 1: they meant so. In acute injury, you'll hear them complain 184 00:09:40,160 --> 00:09:43,120 Speaker 1: because they howl and cry and all that stuff. But 185 00:09:43,240 --> 00:09:46,640 Speaker 1: chronic long term illness like usually they just kind of 186 00:09:46,840 --> 00:09:48,880 Speaker 1: suck it up. But it doesn't mean they should. 187 00:09:49,280 --> 00:09:52,400 Speaker 2: Yeah. One thing that I've had a lot of owners 188 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:54,600 Speaker 2: and that i've dealt with in practice and a lot 189 00:09:54,600 --> 00:09:58,719 Speaker 2: of listeners ask me about, is your pet gets diagnosed 190 00:09:58,800 --> 00:10:03,240 Speaker 2: with terminal illness will say cancer, bone cancer, for example, 191 00:10:03,720 --> 00:10:07,560 Speaker 2: and people are really torn between, Okay, do I go 192 00:10:08,080 --> 00:10:11,880 Speaker 2: this much as I can with pursuing treatment versus doing 193 00:10:11,960 --> 00:10:15,240 Speaker 2: palliative care, which palliative for those listening at home, just 194 00:10:15,320 --> 00:10:18,640 Speaker 2: means keeping them comfortable until the end of life. I 195 00:10:18,720 --> 00:10:20,880 Speaker 2: just I see people struggle with that so often, and 196 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:22,600 Speaker 2: I think that's a huge part of our job, is 197 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:26,480 Speaker 2: helping them guide them to their decision. That's their family, 198 00:10:26,520 --> 00:10:29,440 Speaker 2: which may not be the same for everyone totally. 199 00:10:30,040 --> 00:10:32,920 Speaker 1: I mean, you said it perfectly, and because neither is 200 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:35,760 Speaker 1: right or wrong, right, what I should say is neither 201 00:10:35,840 --> 00:10:41,360 Speaker 1: is wrong. And if a family wants to in your example, 202 00:10:41,559 --> 00:10:45,520 Speaker 1: do you know if they can do radio tactic things 203 00:10:45,720 --> 00:10:49,920 Speaker 1: or amputation and then you know, some other medications and 204 00:10:50,040 --> 00:10:53,440 Speaker 1: get another year from their pet and they can manage 205 00:10:53,480 --> 00:10:59,320 Speaker 1: them financially, physically, emotionally and time wise, and they can't, 206 00:10:59,320 --> 00:11:03,120 Speaker 1: then that's fine. But if they also have all those 207 00:11:03,160 --> 00:11:05,800 Speaker 1: things they have the time they but still don't want to, 208 00:11:06,240 --> 00:11:09,640 Speaker 1: that's all so fine, And but what we but but 209 00:11:09,720 --> 00:11:12,360 Speaker 1: I think the rules should be they should not be suffering. 210 00:11:13,480 --> 00:11:16,560 Speaker 1: So I don't I and that and that's not just 211 00:11:16,679 --> 00:11:20,079 Speaker 1: end of life diseases. There could be a disease. You know, 212 00:11:20,120 --> 00:11:22,440 Speaker 1: this is a harder thing is you've got a younger, 213 00:11:22,559 --> 00:11:27,199 Speaker 1: you know, younger cat that's got diabetes, and some people 214 00:11:27,280 --> 00:11:30,719 Speaker 1: just cannot manage that disease the treatment, and so what 215 00:11:30,760 --> 00:11:33,160 Speaker 1: do we what do we do? So we may not 216 00:11:33,280 --> 00:11:37,040 Speaker 1: be doing anything until that disease is taken, you know, 217 00:11:37,120 --> 00:11:38,880 Speaker 1: to a point where then the pet is suffering, and 218 00:11:38,920 --> 00:11:41,960 Speaker 1: there then we're gonna have to intervene. But and that's 219 00:11:42,040 --> 00:11:44,720 Speaker 1: I think where you and I as veterinarians kind of 220 00:11:44,720 --> 00:11:47,000 Speaker 1: get a little bit sad because we know that it's 221 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:50,240 Speaker 1: a it's a treatment that's not so difficult. But when 222 00:11:50,240 --> 00:11:53,640 Speaker 1: we're talking about older you know, nearing the end or 223 00:11:53,679 --> 00:11:58,160 Speaker 1: a few years out, let's say, treatment becomes a little 224 00:11:58,200 --> 00:12:01,720 Speaker 1: subjective and what would you do? And even myself, I've 225 00:12:01,920 --> 00:12:04,120 Speaker 1: I've done some things for my own pets, and other 226 00:12:04,200 --> 00:12:07,440 Speaker 1: veterinarians are like, you did radiation, Like she's a twelve 227 00:12:07,520 --> 00:12:09,800 Speaker 1: year old dog, And I'm like, well she got two 228 00:12:09,840 --> 00:12:12,200 Speaker 1: more years, she got six more months. I don't care 229 00:12:13,520 --> 00:12:16,120 Speaker 1: as long as as long as she's okay going to 230 00:12:16,160 --> 00:12:19,360 Speaker 1: getting treatment and the treatment doesn't decrease her quality of life. 231 00:12:19,480 --> 00:12:21,280 Speaker 1: Then I'm then I'm going to do that, but it's 232 00:12:21,280 --> 00:12:22,280 Speaker 1: also okay if I didn't. 233 00:12:22,840 --> 00:12:24,559 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I think you said a really important thing 234 00:12:24,600 --> 00:12:27,079 Speaker 2: is as long as she meaning your dog, is okay 235 00:12:27,120 --> 00:12:29,160 Speaker 2: with it too, because it's very dependent on the patient. 236 00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:32,160 Speaker 2: If I have a dog that's like would it hates 237 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:34,240 Speaker 2: other people, hates going to the vet for him, it 238 00:12:34,280 --> 00:12:35,720 Speaker 2: would be horrible. 239 00:12:35,840 --> 00:12:40,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, totally. Pet's personality is a massive part of my 240 00:12:40,280 --> 00:12:43,480 Speaker 1: evaluation of quality of life. And like I have my 241 00:12:43,559 --> 00:12:48,120 Speaker 1: current dogs, he's got separation anxiety, and he's highly reactive, 242 00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:53,120 Speaker 1: and so he is just he is such a blessing 243 00:12:53,200 --> 00:12:55,360 Speaker 1: to me because he has taught me so much about 244 00:12:55,400 --> 00:12:59,719 Speaker 1: behavioral issues and and and he's not an aggressive dog 245 00:12:59,760 --> 00:13:01,400 Speaker 1: to peace people or really as long as he's not 246 00:13:01,400 --> 00:13:05,160 Speaker 1: around other dogs or cats, he's fine. But he's just 247 00:13:05,320 --> 00:13:07,719 Speaker 1: so anxious. There's no way I could bring him for 248 00:13:07,800 --> 00:13:12,520 Speaker 1: chemotherapy or rehab or any of those things because he 249 00:13:12,559 --> 00:13:15,720 Speaker 1: would just be not a good patient and he wouldn't 250 00:13:15,760 --> 00:13:19,320 Speaker 1: feel comfortable. So so for him, he's got the same 251 00:13:19,360 --> 00:13:22,000 Speaker 1: mama as my other dog that FMO, he wouldn't get 252 00:13:22,040 --> 00:13:25,679 Speaker 1: it because he's it's not good for him, And that's okay. Right. 253 00:13:26,320 --> 00:13:28,680 Speaker 2: I think a really big take home message I want 254 00:13:28,720 --> 00:13:33,199 Speaker 2: listeners to hear is whether you pursue treatment or you don't. 255 00:13:33,240 --> 00:13:36,840 Speaker 2: I think, no matter what, we are prone to being like, ah, 256 00:13:36,880 --> 00:13:38,960 Speaker 2: did I do the right thing? I'm questioning myself. I'm 257 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:42,240 Speaker 2: feeling this level of guilt and there is no wrong. 258 00:13:42,400 --> 00:13:44,680 Speaker 2: Like you said, there's no wrong. And either way that 259 00:13:44,720 --> 00:13:46,920 Speaker 2: you go, it's really you have to look at it 260 00:13:46,960 --> 00:13:50,880 Speaker 2: from a very holistic approach with yourself and your pet 261 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:53,600 Speaker 2: and whatever decision you make that's best for your family. 262 00:13:54,240 --> 00:13:56,000 Speaker 2: It will never feel one hundred percent right. But I 263 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:58,280 Speaker 2: certainly I wish I could take away the guilt that 264 00:13:58,320 --> 00:13:59,240 Speaker 2: so many owners feel. 265 00:14:00,080 --> 00:14:02,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, you know what I think? You know you said 266 00:14:02,240 --> 00:14:03,840 Speaker 1: if they don't want to do treatment. I think what 267 00:14:03,880 --> 00:14:08,080 Speaker 1: we should think about is that howly to care is 268 00:14:08,120 --> 00:14:11,600 Speaker 1: a treatment, right, So we are doing the treatment, we're 269 00:14:11,600 --> 00:14:14,120 Speaker 1: just doing a different one because there's there's many different 270 00:14:14,160 --> 00:14:18,520 Speaker 1: ways to treat something, and and sometimes we're doing things 271 00:14:18,520 --> 00:14:20,720 Speaker 1: for curative reasons, and some things we're just doing things 272 00:14:20,760 --> 00:14:23,480 Speaker 1: for prolonging life as long as it's good quality. And 273 00:14:23,480 --> 00:14:27,080 Speaker 1: there's also treatment is just pain management and quality life 274 00:14:27,080 --> 00:14:31,120 Speaker 1: assessment that's still a treatment option. So and I just 275 00:14:31,160 --> 00:14:34,360 Speaker 1: think it's but back to my point, I made whatever 276 00:14:34,400 --> 00:14:36,640 Speaker 1: a couple of minutes ago. We got to make sure 277 00:14:36,680 --> 00:14:41,040 Speaker 1: that their pain and anxiety is being managed. And so 278 00:14:41,200 --> 00:14:43,840 Speaker 1: it's not okay just to say, well, he's just getting 279 00:14:43,840 --> 00:14:49,120 Speaker 1: old exactly. That's not okay because because old age does 280 00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:50,560 Speaker 1: bring disease. 281 00:14:50,560 --> 00:15:04,040 Speaker 2: Right, and so we want to stay on top of it. 282 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:06,520 Speaker 2: The Great Dane that I euthanized through Lap of Love, 283 00:15:06,600 --> 00:15:10,880 Speaker 2: she had osteosarcoma, which is bone cancer, and she would 284 00:15:10,880 --> 00:15:14,760 Speaker 2: not have been a good candidate for amputation just being 285 00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:16,240 Speaker 2: such a big dog. It would have been I think, 286 00:15:16,280 --> 00:15:18,240 Speaker 2: pretty difficult for her to get around, and so we 287 00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:20,720 Speaker 2: chose to go the palliative care route. We kept her 288 00:15:20,760 --> 00:15:23,000 Speaker 2: at home, We got a really great six months with 289 00:15:23,040 --> 00:15:27,360 Speaker 2: her and kept her on pain medications. She was getting 290 00:15:27,360 --> 00:15:33,480 Speaker 2: around just fine. And so so yeah, as doctor Mary said, 291 00:15:33,640 --> 00:15:36,000 Speaker 2: palliative care is a treatment option. It may just look 292 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:37,840 Speaker 2: a little bit different than what we had in our head. 293 00:15:38,400 --> 00:15:40,600 Speaker 2: But I think I saw lot some really great time 294 00:15:40,600 --> 00:15:42,240 Speaker 2: with her and was able to keep her comfortable and 295 00:15:42,280 --> 00:15:43,720 Speaker 2: it was I'm grateful for that. 296 00:15:44,560 --> 00:15:47,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, totally. And I think that's the thing is everything, 297 00:15:47,400 --> 00:15:50,080 Speaker 1: Once we decide on palliative care, just kind of put 298 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:54,400 Speaker 1: the guilt aside and just enjoy and do bucket lists, 299 00:15:54,800 --> 00:15:59,240 Speaker 1: get a photo shoot, just be present. I always prescribed 300 00:15:59,480 --> 00:16:02,200 Speaker 1: thirty minute twice a day of love and that's it. 301 00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:04,840 Speaker 1: Just love on your pet, because that is a part 302 00:16:04,960 --> 00:16:07,800 Speaker 1: of the process. If you were to lose a friend 303 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:09,880 Speaker 1: or a family memory, you'd wish you had thirty more 304 00:16:09,880 --> 00:16:12,720 Speaker 1: minutes to say I love you, right, right, And that's it. 305 00:16:12,760 --> 00:16:14,760 Speaker 1: So every day say I love you. That's a part 306 00:16:14,760 --> 00:16:19,920 Speaker 1: of my treatment plan, and that's okay. And so it's 307 00:16:20,080 --> 00:16:22,040 Speaker 1: it's a different mindset because you know what, we never 308 00:16:22,080 --> 00:16:26,200 Speaker 1: want to say goodbye, never, right, but we have to. 309 00:16:26,440 --> 00:16:28,120 Speaker 1: So that's their only fault. 310 00:16:28,480 --> 00:16:30,680 Speaker 2: It is definitely a double edged sword. I think about 311 00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:33,440 Speaker 2: this a lot, where the people where you have your pet, 312 00:16:33,480 --> 00:16:36,120 Speaker 2: who you're rushing to the er, you find out they're 313 00:16:36,200 --> 00:16:38,960 Speaker 2: very sick and euthanasia is an option, and having to 314 00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:43,000 Speaker 2: euthanize them in that emergency situation, versus in my case, 315 00:16:43,080 --> 00:16:45,120 Speaker 2: my dog has bone cancer, I'm taking her home, I'm 316 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:47,400 Speaker 2: living with her for six months, but knowing that she's 317 00:16:47,520 --> 00:16:50,840 Speaker 2: slowly going to deteriorate. And neither one is great. They 318 00:16:50,880 --> 00:16:53,680 Speaker 2: both have their comments they're very both challenging in their 319 00:16:53,680 --> 00:16:54,440 Speaker 2: own ways. 320 00:16:55,120 --> 00:16:58,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, right, both both, I mean, dare I say both 321 00:16:58,080 --> 00:17:00,520 Speaker 1: have their pros? Who both have their crimes? Right, Like 322 00:17:00,560 --> 00:17:02,000 Speaker 1: I think we're so like, oh, I don't want to 323 00:17:02,040 --> 00:17:05,359 Speaker 1: say that. But one pro is that you don't have 324 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:07,359 Speaker 1: to sit there and think about it for six months. 325 00:17:07,359 --> 00:17:09,800 Speaker 1: It's just it's come so fast you're like, oh. But 326 00:17:09,840 --> 00:17:12,680 Speaker 1: that's also at the same point a con. And when 327 00:17:12,720 --> 00:17:15,840 Speaker 1: I've like you've had pets with you know, a long, 328 00:17:16,359 --> 00:17:19,080 Speaker 1: longer term illness. I mean most of mine were about 329 00:17:19,119 --> 00:17:22,720 Speaker 1: six months too. Once you really diagnose and and you're 330 00:17:22,800 --> 00:17:26,280 Speaker 1: just you're every day thinking every day, looking every day, 331 00:17:26,320 --> 00:17:29,920 Speaker 1: worrying every day, anxious. That's called anticipatory grief too. Rite. 332 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:33,840 Speaker 1: So you're all those things for months at a time. 333 00:17:33,960 --> 00:17:36,560 Speaker 1: So that's a con. But a pro is you get 334 00:17:36,560 --> 00:17:41,560 Speaker 1: them for six months. So both have both have their things. 335 00:17:41,600 --> 00:17:44,679 Speaker 1: But what I don't want it's just when it is 336 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:48,400 Speaker 1: an accident meanings or fast or emergency, you just don't 337 00:17:48,480 --> 00:17:51,840 Speaker 1: have any time to prepare. So I do believe having 338 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:56,640 Speaker 1: the time, whether it's six months or six days, that's 339 00:17:57,040 --> 00:18:01,560 Speaker 1: that's okay, because anything is better than emergency. 340 00:18:01,200 --> 00:18:05,199 Speaker 2: A little less traumatic for sure. Yes, a lot, a 341 00:18:05,240 --> 00:18:10,200 Speaker 2: lot less, a lot less atmatic. What are the things 342 00:18:10,280 --> 00:18:12,680 Speaker 2: that you are looking at? Because I think it's very 343 00:18:12,680 --> 00:18:14,919 Speaker 2: hard to quantify the quality of life. So people come 344 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:16,639 Speaker 2: in and they say, how will I know it's time? 345 00:18:17,600 --> 00:18:19,520 Speaker 2: And so what are you looking at when you're assessing 346 00:18:19,560 --> 00:18:21,080 Speaker 2: quality of life in a pet? 347 00:18:21,359 --> 00:18:25,200 Speaker 1: Okay? Yeah, because this is super subjective and as veterinarians, 348 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:28,640 Speaker 1: we're like all about objective things, right, Oh, what's the bun? 349 00:18:28,760 --> 00:18:31,080 Speaker 1: Care at any numbers and things like that? Right, this 350 00:18:31,240 --> 00:18:33,879 Speaker 1: is absolutely none of those things. And I do love 351 00:18:33,960 --> 00:18:36,879 Speaker 1: quality of life scales, which is an objective way to 352 00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:39,680 Speaker 1: measure something that is so subjective. But it certainly helps 353 00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:42,560 Speaker 1: as a guide it and it asks questions that many 354 00:18:42,560 --> 00:18:46,440 Speaker 1: of us wouldn't be thinking about. Right. So, but to begin, 355 00:18:46,800 --> 00:18:50,280 Speaker 1: I there are four things that I look at. First off, 356 00:18:50,359 --> 00:18:52,239 Speaker 1: is the ailment that the pet has and how they 357 00:18:52,240 --> 00:18:56,360 Speaker 1: will pass from it. Now, most of them have multiple ailments, 358 00:18:56,440 --> 00:19:00,960 Speaker 1: so you might have a dog with more ability issues 359 00:19:01,560 --> 00:19:06,600 Speaker 1: and heart failure and cognitive dysfunction or whatever. Right, So 360 00:19:06,600 --> 00:19:09,600 Speaker 1: so I look at the worst one, meaning which one 361 00:19:09,640 --> 00:19:12,720 Speaker 1: is going to be an imminent decline and happen fast 362 00:19:12,800 --> 00:19:15,879 Speaker 1: with an emergent emergency room is an issue, right, and 363 00:19:15,960 --> 00:19:18,679 Speaker 1: so to me, that's any disease that takes away their 364 00:19:18,720 --> 00:19:25,480 Speaker 1: ability to breathe. So, any disease like heart failure, lorential paralysis, 365 00:19:25,520 --> 00:19:28,520 Speaker 1: you know, you know the whole list that the ailment 366 00:19:28,560 --> 00:19:31,600 Speaker 1: is going to make them have respiratory distress. That's what 367 00:19:31,640 --> 00:19:33,720 Speaker 1: I'm going to focus on and say, if we don't 368 00:19:33,760 --> 00:19:36,879 Speaker 1: say goodbye at a sooner date, than you will be 369 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:40,480 Speaker 1: going to emergency clinic. Like that's and that is that 370 00:19:41,040 --> 00:19:44,240 Speaker 1: what you want? And I and no judgment. Some people 371 00:19:44,320 --> 00:19:47,159 Speaker 1: may want every single second of time with them, and 372 00:19:47,240 --> 00:19:50,560 Speaker 1: I get it. And I'm like, are you prepared to 373 00:19:50,560 --> 00:19:53,560 Speaker 1: be rushing to the emergency room? Like that's that is 374 00:19:53,600 --> 00:19:57,479 Speaker 1: going to be the consequence of this, good or bad whatever. 375 00:19:57,760 --> 00:19:59,760 Speaker 1: The second we I already talk about is the ailment 376 00:19:59,880 --> 00:20:02,199 Speaker 1: or sorry is the pets personality? Right? So how are 377 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:04,960 Speaker 1: they managing their treatment? How are they managing their disease? 378 00:20:06,119 --> 00:20:10,440 Speaker 1: Some things are are harder to manage, like like anxiety, 379 00:20:10,520 --> 00:20:14,800 Speaker 1: so cognitive dysfunction, it's I hate it. It's horrible. 380 00:20:15,200 --> 00:20:18,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, for those listening, it's I think it's very much 381 00:20:18,480 --> 00:20:20,120 Speaker 2: like dogs almost get like a dementia. 382 00:20:20,920 --> 00:20:23,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, totally and cats too. 383 00:20:24,040 --> 00:20:27,520 Speaker 2: Excuse me, cat wow like all. 384 00:20:27,480 --> 00:20:30,480 Speaker 1: Night and just and peeing outside their litter box because 385 00:20:30,480 --> 00:20:32,240 Speaker 1: they just don't know where it's at. You know, It's 386 00:20:32,320 --> 00:20:36,200 Speaker 1: kind of it presents a little bit differently. Vocalization is 387 00:20:36,440 --> 00:20:38,959 Speaker 1: is more with cats, but you'll have dogs panting and 388 00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:42,480 Speaker 1: pasting and anxious and keeping everyone awake and they're not sleeping, 389 00:20:42,560 --> 00:20:45,520 Speaker 1: so quality of the sleep is important. But so with 390 00:20:45,520 --> 00:20:52,080 Speaker 1: pet's personality is very key. Then everybody's beliefs. We are 391 00:20:52,119 --> 00:20:55,439 Speaker 1: all so different and some people may say, you know 392 00:20:55,480 --> 00:21:00,200 Speaker 1: what that's that cat is just my you know, barn 393 00:21:00,280 --> 00:21:02,359 Speaker 1: cat and they chase mice and they do whatever. So 394 00:21:02,440 --> 00:21:04,320 Speaker 1: I'm not going to do I'm not going to do 395 00:21:04,359 --> 00:21:08,200 Speaker 1: treat like other treatment, so I'm going to euthanize before 396 00:21:08,680 --> 00:21:11,800 Speaker 1: that is that something that is required for good quality 397 00:21:11,800 --> 00:21:16,040 Speaker 1: of life? It could be, you know, just I've helped 398 00:21:16,080 --> 00:21:18,119 Speaker 1: junkyard dogs, so I don't know if I say that, 399 00:21:18,160 --> 00:21:20,320 Speaker 1: like the people sometimes love their dogs that are just 400 00:21:20,359 --> 00:21:23,240 Speaker 1: protecting the property. But it could also then be a 401 00:21:23,280 --> 00:21:26,440 Speaker 1: teacup that's in bed with you or a giant dog 402 00:21:26,480 --> 00:21:31,080 Speaker 1: in bed with you. And we have different different ways 403 00:21:31,200 --> 00:21:33,680 Speaker 1: we view our pets and also different ways we view 404 00:21:33,680 --> 00:21:36,440 Speaker 1: our treatments. And there are some that will say it's 405 00:21:36,560 --> 00:21:38,240 Speaker 1: just a cat, so I'm going to keep them, take 406 00:21:38,280 --> 00:21:41,000 Speaker 1: care of them. And then but then that's it. So 407 00:21:41,040 --> 00:21:44,080 Speaker 1: we're also different. And then and with that being said, 408 00:21:44,080 --> 00:21:46,359 Speaker 1: there's also some religious differences for euthanasia. 409 00:21:46,920 --> 00:21:47,120 Speaker 2: Right. 410 00:21:47,680 --> 00:21:52,199 Speaker 1: I've had many Buddhists that are against euthanasia, and so, okay, well, 411 00:21:52,200 --> 00:21:55,440 Speaker 1: how do we manage that because they also don't want 412 00:21:55,440 --> 00:21:56,320 Speaker 1: their pets to suffer? 413 00:21:56,800 --> 00:21:56,879 Speaker 2: Ye. 414 00:21:58,040 --> 00:22:00,400 Speaker 1: Then the last is the budgets, which I talked about also, 415 00:22:00,520 --> 00:22:03,879 Speaker 1: like do they have not just the finances, do they 416 00:22:03,920 --> 00:22:07,920 Speaker 1: have the time, the physical ability, and the emotional capacity 417 00:22:08,000 --> 00:22:11,280 Speaker 1: to manage their pets as they're aging. And at any time, 418 00:22:11,320 --> 00:22:13,159 Speaker 1: if any one of those budgets is up, then I 419 00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:16,919 Speaker 1: support their decision to say goodbye. And you know, somebody 420 00:22:16,960 --> 00:22:20,400 Speaker 1: could call me on a Monday and they say, oh, Mary, 421 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:23,080 Speaker 1: doctor Mary was like the worst weekend. She wouldn't eat much, 422 00:22:23,080 --> 00:22:25,880 Speaker 1: we she could barely get up, didn't sleep a lot. 423 00:22:26,160 --> 00:22:28,520 Speaker 1: You know, the list goes on, will you come today 424 00:22:28,520 --> 00:22:31,600 Speaker 1: and help us? Say goodbye? And absolutely I will. They 425 00:22:31,600 --> 00:22:33,520 Speaker 1: could also call me on Monday and say we had 426 00:22:33,520 --> 00:22:37,119 Speaker 1: a beautiful weekend. We did bucketless items. We you know, 427 00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:40,480 Speaker 1: she ate like a champ. Everybody was around. Will you 428 00:22:40,520 --> 00:22:43,479 Speaker 1: come and say goodbye? Because that's how we want her 429 00:22:43,560 --> 00:22:46,879 Speaker 1: last days to be and we never think of it 430 00:22:46,920 --> 00:22:50,520 Speaker 1: that way, but I say, yes I will. So it's 431 00:22:50,560 --> 00:22:53,040 Speaker 1: okay to euthanize them on a good day when we 432 00:22:53,160 --> 00:22:55,560 Speaker 1: know bad days are right around the corner. 433 00:22:55,880 --> 00:22:58,280 Speaker 2: Right. I think that is so important. I see so 434 00:22:58,359 --> 00:23:01,439 Speaker 2: many owners where they're like, well, well Fluffy is still eating, 435 00:23:02,320 --> 00:23:04,240 Speaker 2: you know, I'm Fluffy still drinking, And that to me 436 00:23:04,359 --> 00:23:07,320 Speaker 2: is not an indicator of a good quality of life. Nope, 437 00:23:07,480 --> 00:23:08,160 Speaker 2: Fluffy can. 438 00:23:09,480 --> 00:23:12,439 Speaker 1: Can get to the water bowl, right, Like, yeah, I 439 00:23:12,480 --> 00:23:14,280 Speaker 1: think you have to think about what disease they have. 440 00:23:14,440 --> 00:23:17,119 Speaker 1: That's why the ailment, like I mentioned, what ailment they have, 441 00:23:17,280 --> 00:23:20,640 Speaker 1: is going to determine what they lose. And you can 442 00:23:20,680 --> 00:23:24,639 Speaker 1: have a yellow lab that's got arthritis that will eat 443 00:23:24,960 --> 00:23:28,560 Speaker 1: their way into the heaven. Yeah, yeah, exactly the grave, right, 444 00:23:28,600 --> 00:23:30,200 Speaker 1: they won't eat their way to grave. That was better 445 00:23:30,200 --> 00:23:33,080 Speaker 1: than thinking. And it's just the disease they have in 446 00:23:33,119 --> 00:23:36,000 Speaker 1: the pets, you know, personality and their normal eating habits. 447 00:23:36,680 --> 00:23:39,240 Speaker 1: People will say, oh, they'll give you a look. Well, 448 00:23:39,960 --> 00:23:43,560 Speaker 1: the look you get comes when they're so much suffering, 449 00:23:43,680 --> 00:23:46,600 Speaker 1: you see it present on their face. And I never 450 00:23:46,640 --> 00:23:48,679 Speaker 1: want to see a look. So there's no way I 451 00:23:48,960 --> 00:23:52,160 Speaker 1: ever tell someone don't worry you'll get a look because 452 00:23:52,800 --> 00:23:55,560 Speaker 1: you're waiting for it to be so bad, right, Like 453 00:23:55,600 --> 00:23:59,000 Speaker 1: that's that's obvious on a cat's face. So I would 454 00:23:59,080 --> 00:24:02,480 Speaker 1: never want that either. But it is. It is really hard, 455 00:24:02,600 --> 00:24:05,439 Speaker 1: and it is a personal decision, but you have to 456 00:24:05,720 --> 00:24:09,200 Speaker 1: you have to make it with love and mind. And 457 00:24:09,960 --> 00:24:13,480 Speaker 1: I always say that we suffer so they don't, Yeah, 458 00:24:13,520 --> 00:24:15,840 Speaker 1: and so we have to say goodbye and break our 459 00:24:15,880 --> 00:24:18,399 Speaker 1: hearts so we don't make them suffer. 460 00:24:19,040 --> 00:24:21,560 Speaker 2: I think that's a great point. I just actually euthanized 461 00:24:21,600 --> 00:24:24,040 Speaker 2: a friend's dog a couple of weeks ago, and she 462 00:24:24,160 --> 00:24:26,359 Speaker 2: called me and she said, I just need you to 463 00:24:26,440 --> 00:24:29,080 Speaker 2: come look at her. Name's Lailah. Come look at Laila, 464 00:24:29,280 --> 00:24:31,800 Speaker 2: and just tell me that it's okay that I make 465 00:24:31,880 --> 00:24:34,479 Speaker 2: the right decision. And So for any listeners out there 466 00:24:34,480 --> 00:24:36,359 Speaker 2: that are struggling with this, I think you can really 467 00:24:36,400 --> 00:24:39,560 Speaker 2: rely on your veterinarian. And it's hard sometimes even bring 468 00:24:39,640 --> 00:24:42,480 Speaker 2: up that because you feel like you're your pet's own 469 00:24:42,520 --> 00:24:46,280 Speaker 2: executioner almost, and so it's okay to ask your vet, 470 00:24:46,359 --> 00:24:47,880 Speaker 2: do you think making the right decision? 471 00:24:48,600 --> 00:24:50,800 Speaker 1: Totally, And you know, I lecture a lot to veterinarians, 472 00:24:50,800 --> 00:24:54,960 Speaker 1: and I encourage us to bring it up because because 473 00:24:55,000 --> 00:24:57,800 Speaker 1: pet families are so so conscious, like do they don't 474 00:24:57,800 --> 00:24:59,480 Speaker 1: want to do that, and I think it's I think 475 00:24:59,480 --> 00:25:01,920 Speaker 1: we need to to help them. And but but boy 476 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:04,920 Speaker 1: don't we don't. We don't want to talk about it. 477 00:25:05,320 --> 00:25:08,639 Speaker 1: But I think it's it's absolutely something that we should 478 00:25:08,640 --> 00:25:11,040 Speaker 1: be talking about sooner than later, so that way everybody 479 00:25:11,800 --> 00:25:15,800 Speaker 1: is supported and not in a situation that could have 480 00:25:15,800 --> 00:25:16,320 Speaker 1: been avoided. 481 00:25:16,720 --> 00:25:19,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, and it's true. I've never had an owner say, 482 00:25:19,840 --> 00:25:22,560 Speaker 2: oh gosh, I I did it too soon, but I 483 00:25:22,560 --> 00:25:25,639 Speaker 2: have had many say I waited way too long. So 484 00:25:25,920 --> 00:25:26,520 Speaker 2: I think. 485 00:25:26,840 --> 00:25:29,880 Speaker 1: App absolutely, you know, you know that saying no, it's 486 00:25:29,920 --> 00:25:31,720 Speaker 1: better a week too soon than a day too late, 487 00:25:31,960 --> 00:25:35,560 Speaker 1: which is which is totally true, and asking your veninarian 488 00:25:35,600 --> 00:25:38,320 Speaker 1: for evaluation like yours that your friend did with Leila. 489 00:25:38,400 --> 00:25:40,399 Speaker 1: But so we at lack of love. We actually have 490 00:25:40,440 --> 00:25:45,160 Speaker 1: tele hospice services where we will do a virtual conversation 491 00:25:45,200 --> 00:25:48,040 Speaker 1: with families all around the country just on quality of 492 00:25:48,080 --> 00:25:50,600 Speaker 1: life assessment of their pets. So it doesn't even need 493 00:25:50,640 --> 00:25:52,560 Speaker 1: to be in an area where that we service, which 494 00:25:52,600 --> 00:25:55,080 Speaker 1: we do have a lot of those. But if you're 495 00:25:55,080 --> 00:25:57,440 Speaker 1: in a in a rural wherever that we're we don't 496 00:25:57,480 --> 00:26:01,639 Speaker 1: have a veterinarian, then that's massively helpful. And what I 497 00:26:01,720 --> 00:26:04,320 Speaker 1: do like is showing the home because how they act 498 00:26:04,359 --> 00:26:07,280 Speaker 1: in the home is very different sometimes when we bring 499 00:26:07,280 --> 00:26:10,960 Speaker 1: them into a clinic, yes and both ways. 500 00:26:11,520 --> 00:26:15,119 Speaker 2: Yes, so how they are at home can be entirely different, 501 00:26:15,200 --> 00:26:16,840 Speaker 2: especially like if they're sick and they come in and 502 00:26:16,880 --> 00:26:19,720 Speaker 2: they have this adrenaline rush and they're prancing around they're 503 00:26:19,720 --> 00:26:21,480 Speaker 2: at home, they're like a vegetable. Then you know, they 504 00:26:21,560 --> 00:26:22,520 Speaker 2: just are totally different. 505 00:26:23,280 --> 00:26:26,040 Speaker 1: It's so true, like the vegetable comment. It's crazy, Like 506 00:26:26,160 --> 00:26:28,560 Speaker 1: I they will come and perk up and be good, 507 00:26:28,640 --> 00:26:30,439 Speaker 1: and they come home and they're just staring at the 508 00:26:30,480 --> 00:26:34,600 Speaker 1: corner with especially cognitive dysfunction, or they're just so exhausted 509 00:26:34,640 --> 00:26:37,320 Speaker 1: they can't they can't do anything, and you know, there's 510 00:26:37,600 --> 00:26:39,840 Speaker 1: there's kind of a I don't want to call it 511 00:26:40,320 --> 00:26:41,760 Speaker 1: syndrome is not a good word for it, but it's 512 00:26:41,800 --> 00:26:47,200 Speaker 1: a phenomenon. I guess where primary caregivers are usually ready 513 00:26:47,200 --> 00:26:51,040 Speaker 1: to say goodbye before the secondary or tertiary caregivers because 514 00:26:51,040 --> 00:26:54,600 Speaker 1: they're seeing the whole picture. They see the whole day. Yeah, 515 00:26:54,640 --> 00:26:57,399 Speaker 1: they see the struggles and it's not so much a 516 00:26:57,440 --> 00:27:00,280 Speaker 1: selfish thing like I'm done cleaning up the poop or 517 00:27:00,359 --> 00:27:04,160 Speaker 1: you know whatever. They see the whole day where somebody 518 00:27:04,320 --> 00:27:06,439 Speaker 1: comes home at six point thirty at night and the 519 00:27:06,480 --> 00:27:09,040 Speaker 1: dog gets the adrenaline is so happy them and they 520 00:27:09,080 --> 00:27:10,760 Speaker 1: have dinner and they're like, oh, let's all curl up 521 00:27:10,760 --> 00:27:11,440 Speaker 1: in front of the TV. 522 00:27:12,359 --> 00:27:14,239 Speaker 2: They don't know, they don't know. 523 00:27:14,640 --> 00:27:17,400 Speaker 1: So that's just I don't know if you've experienced that too. 524 00:27:17,440 --> 00:27:21,360 Speaker 1: It's just very interesting to see that the duality at 525 00:27:21,359 --> 00:27:24,760 Speaker 1: home between family members and how they're never on the 526 00:27:24,760 --> 00:27:25,320 Speaker 1: same page. 527 00:27:25,600 --> 00:27:27,600 Speaker 2: Yes, I agree with that. A lot of times it 528 00:27:27,640 --> 00:27:30,280 Speaker 2: is one who's like, no, I know it's time, and 529 00:27:30,320 --> 00:27:32,320 Speaker 2: the other is just not on board. And it typically 530 00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:33,960 Speaker 2: the one that's not on board is the one that's 531 00:27:33,960 --> 00:27:36,200 Speaker 2: not doing the majority of the caregiving. 532 00:27:37,000 --> 00:27:39,440 Speaker 1: Yep, yep. And like I said, it is not because 533 00:27:39,480 --> 00:27:42,960 Speaker 1: they're tired giving the care it's they see it. They 534 00:27:43,040 --> 00:27:44,520 Speaker 1: just see it way more. 535 00:27:44,840 --> 00:27:48,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, if someone wants to go on lap of love 536 00:27:48,040 --> 00:27:51,480 Speaker 2: for that quality of life assessment is that on the website. 537 00:27:51,960 --> 00:27:53,919 Speaker 1: Yep, it is. It's just on the drop down of 538 00:27:53,920 --> 00:27:57,359 Speaker 1: one of our services, along with of course in home euthanasia, 539 00:27:57,400 --> 00:28:00,040 Speaker 1: in home hospice and then our pet loss support. So 540 00:28:00,080 --> 00:28:02,800 Speaker 1: it's right there, that's listed there, and it could be 541 00:28:02,840 --> 00:28:06,680 Speaker 1: really valuable just to have just a conversation, no judgment. 542 00:28:07,160 --> 00:28:09,760 Speaker 1: We can go over quality and life scales with them 543 00:28:09,760 --> 00:28:12,919 Speaker 1: which are very helpful and and like I said, they 544 00:28:12,920 --> 00:28:15,120 Speaker 1: could kind of you know, you can see the environment. 545 00:28:15,200 --> 00:28:18,480 Speaker 1: But if somebody does want to come into their vet's office, 546 00:28:18,640 --> 00:28:21,920 Speaker 1: they can also not bring their pet in and say 547 00:28:21,960 --> 00:28:23,720 Speaker 1: these are all this is the list of problems that 548 00:28:23,760 --> 00:28:27,080 Speaker 1: I'm dealing with. Here's a video of how she's acting 549 00:28:27,119 --> 00:28:29,520 Speaker 1: at home. Here's some pictures of how the house is 550 00:28:29,560 --> 00:28:32,400 Speaker 1: set up. And we could still help without the pet 551 00:28:32,440 --> 00:28:34,240 Speaker 1: being present, if it's too much for the pet to 552 00:28:34,240 --> 00:28:36,280 Speaker 1: come in. So I like to encourage people to do that, 553 00:28:36,320 --> 00:28:37,919 Speaker 1: and I think we forget that that's okay to do, 554 00:28:38,000 --> 00:28:40,520 Speaker 1: because this is a conversation. Half the time when I'm 555 00:28:40,520 --> 00:28:42,600 Speaker 1: in the home, you know, the dog's laying over in 556 00:28:42,640 --> 00:28:45,280 Speaker 1: a corner anyway, and we're just conversing. 557 00:28:44,920 --> 00:28:49,400 Speaker 2: Right right, Yeah, they're not even a part of the situation. Yeah, absolutely, 558 00:28:50,400 --> 00:28:52,120 Speaker 2: and I guess I would love for owners to take 559 00:28:52,160 --> 00:28:54,840 Speaker 2: away It's okay to bring it up, It's okay to 560 00:28:54,880 --> 00:28:58,560 Speaker 2: talk about it. It feels impossible, but it's something that 561 00:28:58,880 --> 00:29:01,400 Speaker 2: we have to have a discuss, and it's better to 562 00:29:01,400 --> 00:29:05,000 Speaker 2: do it beforehand and feel prepared rather than than doing 563 00:29:05,040 --> 00:29:09,160 Speaker 2: it the very last second. So rely on engineerians for that. 564 00:29:09,160 --> 00:29:22,440 Speaker 2: That's what we're here to help with the actual like 565 00:29:22,600 --> 00:29:25,520 Speaker 2: act of euthanasia. I think a lot of people, many 566 00:29:25,560 --> 00:29:28,920 Speaker 2: people haven't been a part of it and curious about it, 567 00:29:28,960 --> 00:29:31,680 Speaker 2: and what I typically say to them is it is 568 00:29:31,720 --> 00:29:34,600 Speaker 2: intended to be very peaceful. And I've had a lot 569 00:29:34,640 --> 00:29:37,680 Speaker 2: of owners that afterwards say wow, like I wasn't expecting 570 00:29:37,720 --> 00:29:40,320 Speaker 2: it to be so peaceful, and they get a lot 571 00:29:40,360 --> 00:29:43,400 Speaker 2: of closure from it. So you do interested to hear 572 00:29:43,440 --> 00:29:45,560 Speaker 2: what your thoughts are now. 573 00:29:45,760 --> 00:29:47,560 Speaker 1: I like how you said that too. It's intended to 574 00:29:47,560 --> 00:29:51,480 Speaker 1: be peaceful because that is that is true life and 575 00:29:51,560 --> 00:29:54,400 Speaker 1: our bodies and medicine, you know, like that they don't 576 00:29:54,400 --> 00:29:58,400 Speaker 1: always cooperate. So even under the best of circumstances, sometimes 577 00:29:58,840 --> 00:30:02,160 Speaker 1: the body has reactions that can be startling. With that 578 00:30:02,200 --> 00:30:06,520 Speaker 1: being said, mother nature and when natural passing happens, all 579 00:30:06,600 --> 00:30:10,920 Speaker 1: of those things can also be present and worse, So 580 00:30:11,160 --> 00:30:13,560 Speaker 1: people who want mother Nature to do it and have 581 00:30:14,040 --> 00:30:16,600 Speaker 1: you know, two am, when everybody is asleep, they don't 582 00:30:16,640 --> 00:30:19,520 Speaker 1: watch their pet waking up and suffering through that process. 583 00:30:20,280 --> 00:30:24,240 Speaker 1: So what we can guarantee though, is sedation, and we 584 00:30:24,280 --> 00:30:26,680 Speaker 1: can guarantee that they're not conscious for those things. Even 585 00:30:26,680 --> 00:30:29,800 Speaker 1: if the body has a reaction, they're not conscious for it. 586 00:30:29,960 --> 00:30:33,800 Speaker 1: And it requires consciousness to experience pain and suffering. 587 00:30:34,360 --> 00:30:36,760 Speaker 2: So I think that's a really important point. I have 588 00:30:36,800 --> 00:30:38,600 Speaker 2: a lot of owners that say, gosh, I would love 589 00:30:38,640 --> 00:30:40,880 Speaker 2: for my pet to just die naturally at home, and 590 00:30:40,920 --> 00:30:44,320 Speaker 2: I think what we know from humans is that that 591 00:30:44,320 --> 00:30:47,600 Speaker 2: can be a very terrible experience. 592 00:30:48,600 --> 00:30:51,280 Speaker 1: Uh, and it can be a very long experience. So 593 00:30:51,640 --> 00:30:54,719 Speaker 1: you know, death is an immediate, it's a phase, and 594 00:30:54,880 --> 00:30:59,960 Speaker 1: I have seen videos of because I would never allow 595 00:31:00,200 --> 00:31:03,240 Speaker 1: to continue, but I've seen like cats die of kidney failure. 596 00:31:03,680 --> 00:31:09,960 Speaker 1: The active dying process takes over three hours. That's so 597 00:31:10,000 --> 00:31:13,280 Speaker 1: it's not a quick and I'm done right, it's long. 598 00:31:14,000 --> 00:31:16,000 Speaker 1: You know. I lost my uncle three years ago and 599 00:31:16,080 --> 00:31:19,480 Speaker 1: it was you know, like the real act of dying 600 00:31:19,480 --> 00:31:22,920 Speaker 1: process was almost a whole day and that's a lot, 601 00:31:23,520 --> 00:31:26,880 Speaker 1: and we had him on morphine. We don't do that 602 00:31:27,000 --> 00:31:29,600 Speaker 1: in our pets, so I think everybody can tell I'm 603 00:31:29,640 --> 00:31:34,920 Speaker 1: pretty adamant about this. But getting back to euthanasia, because 604 00:31:34,920 --> 00:31:37,840 Speaker 1: that is where you know, it would be nice because 605 00:31:37,840 --> 00:31:40,360 Speaker 1: we can control things way better. We can control ninety 606 00:31:40,400 --> 00:31:45,840 Speaker 1: nine point nine percent of the situation. So most most 607 00:31:46,000 --> 00:31:51,040 Speaker 1: veterinarians and clinics will will give some lovely sedation before 608 00:31:51,800 --> 00:31:56,080 Speaker 1: the final medication, and that's great if we end it 609 00:31:56,120 --> 00:31:59,680 Speaker 1: is not medically necessary at all, but it is really 610 00:31:59,760 --> 00:32:02,840 Speaker 1: nice for owners to see their pets just sleeping beforehand. 611 00:32:03,480 --> 00:32:07,800 Speaker 1: It kind of sets the room for being peaceful. And 612 00:32:07,880 --> 00:32:10,239 Speaker 1: for those that may not want to be present, I 613 00:32:10,320 --> 00:32:12,320 Speaker 1: do encourage them to be present, just at least for 614 00:32:12,440 --> 00:32:16,000 Speaker 1: that and once your pet is sedated, I understand. I 615 00:32:16,080 --> 00:32:18,080 Speaker 1: totally understand when people don't want to be present. I 616 00:32:18,120 --> 00:32:20,280 Speaker 1: think there's a lot of stigma about those that don't 617 00:32:20,320 --> 00:32:23,400 Speaker 1: want to be present, and they get almost guilted into it, 618 00:32:23,480 --> 00:32:25,920 Speaker 1: like your pet's looking for you and stuff, like your 619 00:32:25,920 --> 00:32:27,960 Speaker 1: pet's always looking for you from day one, right, like 620 00:32:28,000 --> 00:32:30,200 Speaker 1: they're always going to So don't think it's because of 621 00:32:30,240 --> 00:32:35,160 Speaker 1: this that they're scared. So but at least maybe stay 622 00:32:35,160 --> 00:32:37,840 Speaker 1: for the sedation. And did you know that the last 623 00:32:38,880 --> 00:32:42,480 Speaker 1: sense to go is the sense of hearing, so you 624 00:32:42,480 --> 00:32:44,840 Speaker 1: could just be speaking to your pet. They hear that 625 00:32:45,040 --> 00:32:49,280 Speaker 1: until the end, like that's amazing. And then the second medication. 626 00:32:49,600 --> 00:32:51,280 Speaker 1: What a lot of people then think is that we're 627 00:32:51,280 --> 00:32:55,200 Speaker 1: stopping the heart, and we're not. We're actually stopping the brain. 628 00:32:55,400 --> 00:32:58,280 Speaker 1: It's simply an overdose of anesthesias, so we stopped the brain. 629 00:32:58,360 --> 00:33:02,280 Speaker 1: The brain is an amazing order. It controls everything, and 630 00:33:02,320 --> 00:33:05,440 Speaker 1: so when that slows down and is gone, and everything 631 00:33:05,440 --> 00:33:09,719 Speaker 1: else follows and it's extremely peaceful. And you know, some 632 00:33:09,800 --> 00:33:13,680 Speaker 1: of the reactions people see are really just energy leading 633 00:33:13,680 --> 00:33:16,560 Speaker 1: the bodies. So if we see muscles tremor and stuff 634 00:33:16,560 --> 00:33:19,160 Speaker 1: like that, that's just that's just energy leaving. If we 635 00:33:19,200 --> 00:33:22,880 Speaker 1: see what we call an agonal breath, which is just 636 00:33:23,120 --> 00:33:26,800 Speaker 1: actually the diaphragm relaxing, which is a muscle and that 637 00:33:26,800 --> 00:33:30,080 Speaker 1: that forces air out and it just it looks like 638 00:33:30,120 --> 00:33:33,080 Speaker 1: a breath, so people get scared, But those things actually 639 00:33:33,160 --> 00:33:36,640 Speaker 1: rarely happen. It's only about three percent that that happens. 640 00:33:37,880 --> 00:33:41,200 Speaker 1: The only thing I actually prepare owners for when the 641 00:33:41,240 --> 00:33:43,920 Speaker 1: euthanasia is happening is that they won't close their eyes. 642 00:33:44,760 --> 00:33:46,840 Speaker 1: And I can't stand out about you. But when I 643 00:33:46,880 --> 00:33:50,000 Speaker 1: see it in the movies when the eyes close, I'm like, yeah, 644 00:33:50,120 --> 00:33:52,680 Speaker 1: they like push the other I'm like, that doesn't happen. 645 00:33:52,880 --> 00:33:53,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's not real. 646 00:33:54,640 --> 00:33:57,320 Speaker 1: And you're and you're making my job hard because people 647 00:33:57,360 --> 00:33:59,440 Speaker 1: are expecting that, and they'll sit there and try to 648 00:33:59,480 --> 00:34:01,880 Speaker 1: do that. So I always prepare for that because that 649 00:34:01,880 --> 00:34:04,960 Speaker 1: happens one hundred percent of the time, and they may 650 00:34:05,000 --> 00:34:07,840 Speaker 1: relax their bladder and and you know, go to the 651 00:34:07,840 --> 00:34:10,080 Speaker 1: bathroom number two as well. So I like to prepare 652 00:34:10,120 --> 00:34:13,080 Speaker 1: that because you know, everything relaxes and that could be 653 00:34:13,160 --> 00:34:15,719 Speaker 1: upsetting to some people. But all the other stuff I 654 00:34:15,719 --> 00:34:17,960 Speaker 1: don't even prepare owners for. It's like, if it happens, 655 00:34:17,960 --> 00:34:18,680 Speaker 1: we talk about it. 656 00:34:18,960 --> 00:34:21,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, and it's very far in few between the other stuff. 657 00:34:22,040 --> 00:34:23,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, totally. 658 00:34:23,440 --> 00:34:26,440 Speaker 2: I really like how you said it's okay if you 659 00:34:26,480 --> 00:34:28,640 Speaker 2: don't want to be present for the actual act of 660 00:34:28,680 --> 00:34:30,600 Speaker 2: youth in Asia itself. I think it is such a 661 00:34:30,600 --> 00:34:34,880 Speaker 2: personal preference. I do think it's, like you said, important 662 00:34:34,880 --> 00:34:37,400 Speaker 2: for me for you to be there while they're self conscious. 663 00:34:37,440 --> 00:34:39,520 Speaker 2: I think like it's part of our responsibility as pet 664 00:34:39,520 --> 00:34:41,960 Speaker 2: owners to be there for them. But once they're unconscious 665 00:34:41,960 --> 00:34:44,759 Speaker 2: and they've had that sedation, I think if that's not 666 00:34:44,840 --> 00:34:46,279 Speaker 2: something that you want to be a part of, but 667 00:34:46,320 --> 00:34:48,239 Speaker 2: that is okay. And I certainly don't want anyone to 668 00:34:48,280 --> 00:34:49,799 Speaker 2: ever feel like, oh my gosh, I have to be 669 00:34:49,840 --> 00:34:52,040 Speaker 2: here because people on the internet are going to shame 670 00:34:52,080 --> 00:34:53,960 Speaker 2: me because people are very about it. 671 00:34:54,800 --> 00:34:57,640 Speaker 1: I I can't stand that shame. And you know what 672 00:34:57,760 --> 00:34:59,880 Speaker 1: if if you even can't even be present for this, 673 00:35:00,440 --> 00:35:03,200 Speaker 1: which I really like want people to do because because 674 00:35:03,239 --> 00:35:04,759 Speaker 1: I think it's so good not just for the pet, 675 00:35:04,800 --> 00:35:08,400 Speaker 1: but for you enclosure, Like I promise you to do that. 676 00:35:08,440 --> 00:35:11,400 Speaker 1: It's so helpful when you don't know and you dropped 677 00:35:11,400 --> 00:35:14,280 Speaker 1: off your pet and you've got the will that could 678 00:35:14,360 --> 00:35:19,160 Speaker 1: haunt you. But but everybody should know at the vet clinic, 679 00:35:19,200 --> 00:35:21,640 Speaker 1: we love on your pet. Yeah, you know, we love 680 00:35:21,680 --> 00:35:24,480 Speaker 1: on them. We give them treats, we give them sedation, 681 00:35:24,800 --> 00:35:27,560 Speaker 1: we give all those things and the team will love 682 00:35:27,640 --> 00:35:30,560 Speaker 1: up on them. So so don't feel guilty because it's 683 00:35:30,560 --> 00:35:32,200 Speaker 1: not like we were just like, oh, that was a 684 00:35:32,280 --> 00:35:34,000 Speaker 1: drop off, so we're not going to do it well 685 00:35:34,040 --> 00:35:36,920 Speaker 1: like that's I used to work at a shelter. We 686 00:35:37,000 --> 00:35:39,759 Speaker 1: loved up on all of them. And I there was 687 00:35:39,800 --> 00:35:43,279 Speaker 1: a wonderful director of our shelter, doctor Sarah Pizzano. And 688 00:35:43,320 --> 00:35:45,160 Speaker 1: this is when I before I became a VETS. This 689 00:35:45,200 --> 00:35:48,759 Speaker 1: is early two thousands, and so I was making the 690 00:35:48,760 --> 00:35:51,760 Speaker 1: surgery packs and whatever, and I would hear this voice 691 00:35:51,880 --> 00:35:54,239 Speaker 1: down this long hallway. Here's what Wait, wait wait, I'm like, 692 00:35:54,280 --> 00:35:57,799 Speaker 1: who is that? And doctor Sarah Pizzano every dog that 693 00:35:57,840 --> 00:36:00,880 Speaker 1: walked past her office to go get you because we 694 00:36:01,080 --> 00:36:03,160 Speaker 1: because even though we were quote a no kill shelter, 695 00:36:03,440 --> 00:36:07,799 Speaker 1: pets were euthanized because of sickness or behavior. Way I'd 696 00:36:07,840 --> 00:36:11,200 Speaker 1: hear and every pet she'd say, high, handsome boy, Hi, 697 00:36:11,280 --> 00:36:15,640 Speaker 1: beautiful angel. And she loved up literally on every single 698 00:36:15,719 --> 00:36:18,399 Speaker 1: dog that walked past her room to go to euthanasia. 699 00:36:18,480 --> 00:36:20,760 Speaker 1: And it was just such a sweet thing to see 700 00:36:20,800 --> 00:36:22,879 Speaker 1: that I'll never And so every pet I walk into 701 00:36:22,920 --> 00:36:25,320 Speaker 1: a home, I say that, hey, handsome boy, high beautiful angel, 702 00:36:25,360 --> 00:36:27,839 Speaker 1: and love up on them. And if families, I'll go 703 00:36:27,880 --> 00:36:30,520 Speaker 1: to homes. It's rare, but I've gone to homes where 704 00:36:31,400 --> 00:36:33,360 Speaker 1: they want me there. But they're going to step outside, 705 00:36:33,360 --> 00:36:35,279 Speaker 1: they're going to go to the backyard. They don't want 706 00:36:35,280 --> 00:36:38,440 Speaker 1: to be present. For that euthanasia, and I support that decision. 707 00:36:38,880 --> 00:36:40,560 Speaker 1: And then afterwards I want them to come back in 708 00:36:40,600 --> 00:36:42,279 Speaker 1: and we make paw prince and we love up on 709 00:36:42,360 --> 00:36:44,800 Speaker 1: them and things like that. But it's it's hard. I 710 00:36:45,440 --> 00:36:48,279 Speaker 1: watched my uncle passing and it's. 711 00:36:47,920 --> 00:36:51,520 Speaker 2: Hard, really hard to watch. It's really hard. And the 712 00:36:51,600 --> 00:36:53,560 Speaker 2: last thing you want to feel is that some outsiders 713 00:36:53,640 --> 00:36:56,239 Speaker 2: judging you. So I think it's yeah, have to do No. 714 00:36:56,400 --> 00:36:59,160 Speaker 1: I think I think shame on us if we judge them. 715 00:36:59,280 --> 00:37:01,600 Speaker 1: That's where I think shame should be. And I'm really 716 00:37:01,600 --> 00:37:05,200 Speaker 1: adamant about that because I've had a family member who 717 00:37:05,239 --> 00:37:07,200 Speaker 1: couldn't be present at all and she's like, I just 718 00:37:07,280 --> 00:37:08,719 Speaker 1: I need to stay at work. I don't want to 719 00:37:08,719 --> 00:37:12,279 Speaker 1: think about it, and no problem, I will. I will 720 00:37:12,280 --> 00:37:14,720 Speaker 1: make sure she's got a good goodbye in my hands, 721 00:37:14,840 --> 00:37:17,640 Speaker 1: and that is my oath to them. So so anyway, 722 00:37:17,680 --> 00:37:20,400 Speaker 1: that's I'm glad we talked about that, because that is 723 00:37:20,440 --> 00:37:23,520 Speaker 1: a it is a big topic, or there's just one 724 00:37:23,560 --> 00:37:25,600 Speaker 1: that I see creep in and I don't like it. 725 00:37:25,800 --> 00:37:28,759 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, me either. I think one thing I'm sure 726 00:37:28,800 --> 00:37:31,760 Speaker 2: you have gotten this many times is people will always 727 00:37:31,760 --> 00:37:33,560 Speaker 2: say to me when I was little, I really wanted 728 00:37:33,600 --> 00:37:36,719 Speaker 2: to be a veterinarian, but I could never ethanize a pet, 729 00:37:36,760 --> 00:37:39,759 Speaker 2: like I just could never do that. And so to that, 730 00:37:39,920 --> 00:37:43,560 Speaker 2: I say, well, that's not my entire job. But when 731 00:37:43,600 --> 00:37:46,239 Speaker 2: I do, when I do have to euthanize a pet, 732 00:37:46,520 --> 00:37:49,360 Speaker 2: it's very much a privilege for me where I'm preventing 733 00:37:49,360 --> 00:37:52,880 Speaker 2: them from suffering. I I'm not doing it unless I 734 00:37:52,920 --> 00:37:54,960 Speaker 2: feel one hundred percent that I'm doing the right thing 735 00:37:55,000 --> 00:37:58,279 Speaker 2: for the animal. And so I definitely feel the weight 736 00:37:58,360 --> 00:38:00,799 Speaker 2: the responsibility of it, but again the privilege, and it's 737 00:38:00,840 --> 00:38:02,680 Speaker 2: just part of taking care of them. 738 00:38:03,200 --> 00:38:06,440 Speaker 1: It's so it's so so true. I am. I own 739 00:38:06,480 --> 00:38:09,239 Speaker 1: I own a crematory also pet crematory. So I'm a 740 00:38:09,280 --> 00:38:12,560 Speaker 1: little unique, right. And so today we had a new 741 00:38:12,640 --> 00:38:14,600 Speaker 1: a new employee that I was I was talking to 742 00:38:15,120 --> 00:38:17,319 Speaker 1: and she said that exact thing to me. She's like, 743 00:38:17,360 --> 00:38:18,799 Speaker 1: I could never do it, but so at least I'm 744 00:38:18,800 --> 00:38:21,239 Speaker 1: still helping. I'm doing this like she's working at the crematory. 745 00:38:21,800 --> 00:38:24,280 Speaker 1: It's just that final thing is really hard for people, 746 00:38:24,480 --> 00:38:28,080 Speaker 1: and I don't see it that way. And I actually 747 00:38:28,320 --> 00:38:31,279 Speaker 1: do that for a living. That is all that I do, right, So, 748 00:38:31,440 --> 00:38:34,279 Speaker 1: like you think i'd be crying all day long. I 749 00:38:34,280 --> 00:38:38,760 Speaker 1: do actually cry a lot, but because I see them, 750 00:38:38,920 --> 00:38:42,440 Speaker 1: I see families that love their pets. How joyous is 751 00:38:42,480 --> 00:38:46,719 Speaker 1: that to see families see pets that they're loved so 752 00:38:46,960 --> 00:38:50,399 Speaker 1: much that the owners were sleeping in the living room 753 00:38:50,400 --> 00:38:53,759 Speaker 1: for weeks, that they were handmaking food, you know, all 754 00:38:53,800 --> 00:38:56,600 Speaker 1: the time, that they set up a party, a goodbye 755 00:38:56,640 --> 00:39:01,520 Speaker 1: party that they they read. I've been to you know 756 00:39:01,560 --> 00:39:04,719 Speaker 1: where Jewish prayers are are read to their pet. Like, 757 00:39:04,760 --> 00:39:07,520 Speaker 1: so the same cultural things that we do for our humans, 758 00:39:07,520 --> 00:39:12,080 Speaker 1: they're doing for pet like it's beautiful and to help 759 00:39:12,239 --> 00:39:15,759 Speaker 1: us share that petet to the next stage and do 760 00:39:15,840 --> 00:39:19,640 Speaker 1: it well, like I'm love. I love helping, and that's 761 00:39:19,680 --> 00:39:22,320 Speaker 1: what we can do. We became vets to help animals, 762 00:39:22,400 --> 00:39:26,000 Speaker 1: and it's not always to save them, and it is 763 00:39:26,239 --> 00:39:28,640 Speaker 1: it can be hard when it's not done well. So 764 00:39:28,840 --> 00:39:32,160 Speaker 1: I'll say that right like one hundred percent. And when 765 00:39:32,160 --> 00:39:36,080 Speaker 1: I worked in that shelter, we still did it well. 766 00:39:36,160 --> 00:39:38,160 Speaker 1: But one of the things that I took away from that, 767 00:39:38,200 --> 00:39:40,520 Speaker 1: and that was twenty plus years ago, was sedation because 768 00:39:40,560 --> 00:39:42,840 Speaker 1: in the shelter we didn't sedate, and so it was 769 00:39:43,000 --> 00:39:46,520 Speaker 1: very hard for me to be speaking to a pet right, 770 00:39:46,560 --> 00:39:49,320 Speaker 1: a dog while it's wagon its tail and licking my face, 771 00:39:49,400 --> 00:39:52,000 Speaker 1: let's say, right, but I know it's got a pretty 772 00:39:52,000 --> 00:39:55,480 Speaker 1: severe disease whatever, and I have to uth andite without sedation. 773 00:39:55,840 --> 00:39:58,600 Speaker 1: That was hard. So that's hard for me. So our 774 00:39:58,640 --> 00:40:02,000 Speaker 1: shelter bets I give them a lot of kudos. But anyway, 775 00:40:02,480 --> 00:40:05,160 Speaker 1: but when you can make it beautiful and a family 776 00:40:05,880 --> 00:40:08,319 Speaker 1: is so grateful to you, and you know, we get 777 00:40:08,360 --> 00:40:10,800 Speaker 1: the best hugs and things like that. But I remember 778 00:40:10,840 --> 00:40:14,800 Speaker 1: this one time. I always say I go into homes 779 00:40:14,840 --> 00:40:17,000 Speaker 1: as the angel of death and I just leave the 780 00:40:17,040 --> 00:40:21,239 Speaker 1: angel because they're just so amazed at at what the 781 00:40:21,360 --> 00:40:26,520 Speaker 1: processes can be. And and you know, I also feel 782 00:40:26,560 --> 00:40:30,880 Speaker 1: there's a bit of relief to families afterwards, yes, and 783 00:40:31,120 --> 00:40:33,719 Speaker 1: they're shocked at that. And then sometimes like ohh and 784 00:40:34,160 --> 00:40:36,640 Speaker 1: you know, I kind of and this might seem crazy 785 00:40:36,640 --> 00:40:38,839 Speaker 1: that I'm going to give this analogy, but it's sort 786 00:40:38,840 --> 00:40:40,640 Speaker 1: of like if you've ever been nauseous and you have 787 00:40:40,680 --> 00:40:46,600 Speaker 1: to vomit, right, you know, you know I'm got to 788 00:40:46,640 --> 00:40:50,480 Speaker 1: do it. It's coming, and you know you'll feel better after, 789 00:40:51,080 --> 00:40:53,919 Speaker 1: like you just don't want to do it. So you've 790 00:40:53,920 --> 00:40:56,320 Speaker 1: got this time where you're like, and you were avoiding 791 00:40:56,320 --> 00:40:59,200 Speaker 1: it and then you do it, and then after you're like, Okay, 792 00:40:59,239 --> 00:41:02,400 Speaker 1: I'm better, and you know, I don't mean to minimalize 793 00:41:02,400 --> 00:41:04,640 Speaker 1: what we do, but it's very much like that. 794 00:41:04,800 --> 00:41:07,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, like, no, that really sucked, but now I'm feeling 795 00:41:07,760 --> 00:41:08,399 Speaker 2: a little bit better. 796 00:41:08,880 --> 00:41:12,400 Speaker 1: I'm feeling better. I know my dog. I like they 797 00:41:12,560 --> 00:41:14,440 Speaker 1: you always missed your pet, but now you know your 798 00:41:14,480 --> 00:41:16,840 Speaker 1: pet isn't struggling, and you know your pet is not 799 00:41:17,000 --> 00:41:19,600 Speaker 1: dealing with these diseases, and you know your pet's okay 800 00:41:20,080 --> 00:41:24,080 Speaker 1: wherever that may be. And so I think that's sometimes helpful. 801 00:41:24,080 --> 00:41:28,120 Speaker 1: And I do think people will say goodbye the first time, 802 00:41:28,880 --> 00:41:32,600 Speaker 1: usually too late. It's the second and third time where 803 00:41:32,600 --> 00:41:34,799 Speaker 1: they are like they've learned from that and they said, no, no, 804 00:41:35,040 --> 00:41:37,680 Speaker 1: I'm not going to let that happen. So you know 805 00:41:37,719 --> 00:41:39,000 Speaker 1: it is I want to say, you know, the more 806 00:41:39,040 --> 00:41:41,000 Speaker 1: time you do it, the better, But it's not that 807 00:41:41,040 --> 00:41:43,600 Speaker 1: it's better, you manage it better. 808 00:41:43,560 --> 00:41:46,319 Speaker 2: Right, Yeah. I mean, no one writes you a rule 809 00:41:46,320 --> 00:41:49,680 Speaker 2: book on these kinds of things. So with experience, you 810 00:41:49,840 --> 00:41:52,920 Speaker 2: definitely learned to manage it better, for sure, totally, Yes, 811 00:41:53,480 --> 00:41:55,359 Speaker 2: for sure. I mean even as a veterinarian I really 812 00:41:55,360 --> 00:41:59,000 Speaker 2: had to have my husband be like, listen, I think 813 00:41:59,040 --> 00:42:01,400 Speaker 2: it's time, let's do it before it gets worse. And 814 00:42:01,440 --> 00:42:03,359 Speaker 2: I am like, yeah, I'm a veterineery and I'm very 815 00:42:03,400 --> 00:42:07,919 Speaker 2: objective in my thinking, but all all common logical thought 816 00:42:07,960 --> 00:42:08,680 Speaker 2: goes out the window. 817 00:42:09,880 --> 00:42:13,839 Speaker 1: We I am the mayor of Denial Island myself when 818 00:42:14,680 --> 00:42:17,440 Speaker 1: it comes to my own like, I am just and 819 00:42:17,520 --> 00:42:20,480 Speaker 1: I am the queen of quality of life assessment, I think, right, 820 00:42:20,520 --> 00:42:23,600 Speaker 1: the self proclaimed queen of it. And it's still when 821 00:42:23,640 --> 00:42:26,000 Speaker 1: you're a mom or a dad or what like, you know, 822 00:42:26,160 --> 00:42:29,640 Speaker 1: pet owner whatever, like this so hard because we want 823 00:42:29,719 --> 00:42:32,040 Speaker 1: every single day. You know, I always say it's never 824 00:42:32,080 --> 00:42:35,759 Speaker 1: long enough and one more day, but I want to 825 00:42:35,760 --> 00:42:37,640 Speaker 1: make sure that one more day isn't a bad day. 826 00:42:37,920 --> 00:42:41,120 Speaker 2: Exactly, it's not. And it just becomes about us and 827 00:42:41,200 --> 00:42:46,880 Speaker 2: not them. Yeah, So what any resources anything you recommend 828 00:42:47,120 --> 00:42:51,000 Speaker 2: for owners after euthanasia. I know I of Love has 829 00:42:51,040 --> 00:42:54,399 Speaker 2: some resources, any support, yes, so. 830 00:42:55,440 --> 00:42:57,440 Speaker 1: Listen, if there's a good local support group and a 831 00:42:57,440 --> 00:42:59,359 Speaker 1: lot of people can just you know, search for that. 832 00:43:00,280 --> 00:43:02,640 Speaker 1: But we do at Lack of Love. We do have 833 00:43:02,719 --> 00:43:05,200 Speaker 1: a pet loss support group, which is amazing. So we 834 00:43:05,280 --> 00:43:07,799 Speaker 1: do every single day. We have a virtual support group, 835 00:43:07,800 --> 00:43:12,640 Speaker 1: which is completely free to anyone anywhere who's lost a pet. 836 00:43:12,920 --> 00:43:16,760 Speaker 1: We've got people from Asia that log in from Brazil 837 00:43:17,280 --> 00:43:18,920 Speaker 1: and if you've lost a pet, you can go every 838 00:43:19,000 --> 00:43:22,160 Speaker 1: day and it spree. So there's those. Then if you 839 00:43:22,239 --> 00:43:24,400 Speaker 1: want a little bit one on one with somebody that 840 00:43:24,400 --> 00:43:27,160 Speaker 1: can help you through some of the grieving process, we 841 00:43:27,200 --> 00:43:29,200 Speaker 1: do have a one on one session, which I think 842 00:43:29,239 --> 00:43:31,520 Speaker 1: is maybe fifty dollars for an hour or something like that. 843 00:43:31,560 --> 00:43:34,279 Speaker 1: It's not a lot. But we also have some specialized 844 00:43:34,320 --> 00:43:39,040 Speaker 1: groups where we talk about children in grief, men in grief, 845 00:43:39,840 --> 00:43:44,600 Speaker 1: cat owners, anticipatory grief. So we've got some specialized groups 846 00:43:44,640 --> 00:43:46,759 Speaker 1: which is kind of, you know, really interesting, and we're 847 00:43:46,800 --> 00:43:49,759 Speaker 1: working on more and more and so I think that's 848 00:43:49,880 --> 00:43:56,080 Speaker 1: really helpful for families. And then we also have a course, 849 00:43:56,120 --> 00:43:58,319 Speaker 1: a six week course to help people manage through this 850 00:43:58,360 --> 00:44:01,880 Speaker 1: whole grieving process. And I've made even activity books for 851 00:44:02,040 --> 00:44:05,160 Speaker 1: kids called Forever Friend and you can get them on Amazon, 852 00:44:05,200 --> 00:44:08,560 Speaker 1: and they're because I think children and grief is tough 853 00:44:08,600 --> 00:44:10,600 Speaker 1: for moms and dads, like they don't know how to 854 00:44:10,640 --> 00:44:13,440 Speaker 1: talk about it. Yeah, and so my activity book kind 855 00:44:13,440 --> 00:44:15,120 Speaker 1: of goes through some stuff where we could talk about 856 00:44:15,120 --> 00:44:17,880 Speaker 1: passing or you know, and it's not just after. We 857 00:44:17,960 --> 00:44:21,359 Speaker 1: need to help them before. And that's everybody, not just kids, right, 858 00:44:21,480 --> 00:44:27,400 Speaker 1: So pat loss isn't always just after. So it comes 859 00:44:27,440 --> 00:44:28,759 Speaker 1: because of that anticipation. 860 00:44:29,200 --> 00:44:32,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely, And I think for all the listeners out there, 861 00:44:32,719 --> 00:44:36,480 Speaker 2: I know I felt really sad for a very long time. 862 00:44:36,480 --> 00:44:39,960 Speaker 2: But the first few months the grief is can be overwhelming, 863 00:44:40,120 --> 00:44:42,640 Speaker 2: and sometimes you might even feel a little like silly 864 00:44:42,680 --> 00:44:44,400 Speaker 2: when you're telling people like, oh, I'm sad because I 865 00:44:44,440 --> 00:44:47,160 Speaker 2: lost my dog. And maybe not everyone's a dog person 866 00:44:47,200 --> 00:44:51,000 Speaker 2: and they may not fully understand, but people with animals, 867 00:44:51,120 --> 00:44:53,319 Speaker 2: I find they will say to me, I was more 868 00:44:53,360 --> 00:44:55,240 Speaker 2: sad and I lost my pet and when my grandma 869 00:44:55,280 --> 00:44:58,160 Speaker 2: passed away or then my aunt died, and it's just 870 00:44:58,560 --> 00:45:00,800 Speaker 2: they are like our children. And so if you're feeling 871 00:45:00,800 --> 00:45:04,040 Speaker 2: that extreme grief, you are not alone totally. 872 00:45:04,280 --> 00:45:06,759 Speaker 1: That they call it disenfranchised grief when Simon says, oh, 873 00:45:06,800 --> 00:45:10,239 Speaker 1: it's just a cat, right, and no, no, that was 874 00:45:10,239 --> 00:45:15,200 Speaker 1: my herbie. I actually I was. I am what they 875 00:45:15,200 --> 00:45:18,000 Speaker 1: call second year veterinarian, a second year a second career veterinarian, 876 00:45:18,400 --> 00:45:21,560 Speaker 1: and so I was ten years in the software industry, 877 00:45:21,680 --> 00:45:25,200 Speaker 1: and it was the death of my own dog that 878 00:45:25,560 --> 00:45:28,840 Speaker 1: I when I was in grief, I decided to go 879 00:45:28,920 --> 00:45:32,239 Speaker 1: back to vet school, so I like, so I know 880 00:45:32,600 --> 00:45:36,719 Speaker 1: firsthand that grief can really impact your life, so much 881 00:45:36,800 --> 00:45:38,960 Speaker 1: so that I left a really good career became a 882 00:45:39,040 --> 00:45:42,760 Speaker 1: veterinarian in my thirties. So I'm you know, I believe 883 00:45:42,800 --> 00:45:45,400 Speaker 1: that pet that, you know, my first one that I lost, 884 00:45:45,400 --> 00:45:47,520 Speaker 1: snow White, you know she's watching over me, and know 885 00:45:47,680 --> 00:45:51,040 Speaker 1: that you know I've done I've done well because I've 886 00:45:51,440 --> 00:45:55,640 Speaker 1: I've taken that experience now you know, have come twenty 887 00:45:55,719 --> 00:45:56,920 Speaker 1: years later helping others. 888 00:45:57,160 --> 00:46:01,239 Speaker 2: Yeah, full circle, full circle. Yeah, that's amazing. What was 889 00:46:01,239 --> 00:46:02,440 Speaker 2: Snowed a dog or a cat? 890 00:46:03,200 --> 00:46:04,839 Speaker 1: She was a dog. She was a samoid. 891 00:46:06,400 --> 00:46:08,320 Speaker 2: Love They're great, They're great. 892 00:46:08,640 --> 00:46:12,040 Speaker 1: They're so not common. And then I got a second 893 00:46:12,080 --> 00:46:14,960 Speaker 1: samoid and uh and then I'm a I'm a Doberman 894 00:46:15,040 --> 00:46:18,279 Speaker 1: lover too, but the best, the best are just good 895 00:46:18,280 --> 00:46:19,560 Speaker 1: old mutts right. 896 00:46:23,120 --> 00:46:25,719 Speaker 2: Them. I love it. Well, this is great. Thank you 897 00:46:25,760 --> 00:46:28,440 Speaker 2: so much. I know it's not the easiest of subjects 898 00:46:28,440 --> 00:46:30,279 Speaker 2: to talk about, but I feel like with all your 899 00:46:30,320 --> 00:46:34,080 Speaker 2: experience and what you've done, you know with these subjects, 900 00:46:34,080 --> 00:46:36,319 Speaker 2: has been really helpful, and I and it's important to 901 00:46:36,320 --> 00:46:38,480 Speaker 2: talk about and have an open conversation, and I'm sure 902 00:46:38,480 --> 00:46:40,880 Speaker 2: our listeners will, We'll get a lot from it. So 903 00:46:41,080 --> 00:46:42,520 Speaker 2: I thank you for going on. 904 00:46:43,360 --> 00:46:54,640 Speaker 1: You're very welcome.