Thank you for making this (QOL calculator) available to everyone. My dog, Arwen, is in end stage congestive heart failure… because of chronic coughing I have been questioning if it is time. I thought it was yesterday but the vet increased her med dose. Arwen is still eating (slightly decreased), demands her treats, harasses the family cat, signals when she needs to go outside 90% of the time and will play some. She scored a 58 today.
I will definitely be using this again to help me make a rational decision in this emotional time of our lifes. I will also ask my husband and daughter to take the questionnaire so it is not biased. We all love our pets but everyone views the progression of the disease differently. I’ve read there is never a right time. There is only a best time. It is my hope that with this tool I can make the decision before she is critical. Again, thank you so much for making it available.
Location
Orlando, FL
Thank you so much to the Journeys team. Our cat was with us for 13 years (not long enough) when we had to make the difficult decision due to liver issues. Car rides gave our girl a lot of anxiety, so the ability to eliminate that in her last moments was priceless. Unfortunately a day early our girl took a turn for the worst. We called journeys and they immediately accommodated us and arrived an hour later. Although it was one of the hardest days of our life, I will never forget the compassion and empathy from Dr Christine. Thank you for providing our furry family members with the dignity they deserve in last minutes of their life, and for allowing us to grieve in the privacy and comfort of our own home.
Sun Prairie, WI
I am so grateful Dr. Katie and Dr. Laura. I made a frantic call yesterday morning, my dog Riley was at the end of his struggle in this life. He was in pain and I knew that we could wait no longer. Dr. Laura was so empathetic, kind and knowledgeable. She came within an hour and a half, was so calm and gentle with Riley. She put us at ease, knowing that he was in good and capable hands. This is definitely your calling! Thank you for being our “Earth Angel” and helping us send Riley off in his home, where he was the “King of the World” in a life that truly was “The Life of Riley”.
Madison, WI
Hilo was 13 years old and her health was failing. We knew it was time to make the difficult decision to let her rest. We could not get her into the clinic until the following week, but we knew she was suffering. We were told about Dr. Hilst and Journeys Home. We called and she was able to come to our house on a Saturday afternoon. After letting the kids spend time with Hilo, we took her out to the backyard, her favorite place to enjoy a beautiful fall day. When Dr. Hilst and a colleague arrived, we immediately felt comforted. They were compassionate and caring, spending time with Hilo while they walked us through the process. Hilo was allowed to go to sleep in the backyard. We all saw the immediate relief in Hilo’s eyes when given the medication. Dr. Hilst assured us that we made the right choice to end Hilo’s pain. She made us a clay mold of her paw print. While very sad, the experience could not have been any better due to the quality of care and support we received. She contacted us after to see how we were feeling. She also sent us a card for the one year anniversary of Hilo’s passing. I would fully recommend Journeys Home to anyone who needs this service.
Dr. Kitt Schaller came out to help us say our unexpected good-bye to our sweet, little Speedy (“Bido”). Her warmth, kindness and compassion will always be remembered. We heard from our dear friend who is a vet in Illinois that our friend, Dr. Christine Nelson also works for this service. Just knowing that they always do what’s best for their patients made our heavy decision easier. We just knew that Speedy would be in the best of care with this company.
Thanks for helping us to say good-bye.
Amber was a much loved 13 year old Golden retriever who shared the majority of her life with her litter mate, and brother, Comet. Amber and Comet were gentle, red-headed Golden Retrievers, a truly a wonderful breed of dogs. During walks strangers would stop us and say “what beautiful dogs you have”. They really were. Retrievers show relentless loyalty to their owners throughout their lives, even to the end of their days. Amber aged with grace, only showing her cumulative years by her graying muzzle, clouding eyes and stiffness in rising in the damp mornings of Autumn. It was not until her thirteenth year that she became ill and needed the services of Journeys Home Pet Euthanasia service.
May I personally thank Journeys Home for having such compassionate and professional staff and veterinary organization. Journeys comes to the pet owner’s home and deals most professionally with the final passing of family pets, with a sensitivity and understanding that is rare is our world today. We had Dr. Kitt Schaller come to euthanize Amber when it was her time, and I would like to highly recommend both Dr. Kitt Schaller and also Journeys Home Pet Euthanasia service to other pet owners, when it comes to that time when we must treat our pets humanely and lead them to the journeys end.
Verona, WI
What a wonderful service in such a difficult time. Dr Christine Nelson explained the process, gave us time with our loved pet Mogie and everything was as peaceful as we could have imagined. I would highly recommend this service…as hard as what was. They are wonderful.
Verona, WI
As this is the worst experience for a pet parent – and even writing now trying really hard to not cry. Davis was helped to let go the way I wanted him to, in my lap at home with the help of Dr. Kitt. She was most respectful of Davis – kept talking to him letting him know that this was the right time for him. Even apologizing to him for having to to use his other leg because of his veins. I respect her for the way she treated him. The care she gave him and us as parents was gratefully accepted and needed.
Oregon, WI
Our experience with Dr. Katie Hilst was beyond what we could have even imagined. From the minute she walked in our home, we felt so comfortable with her as if we had known her for a period of time prior. Not only that, but our dog warmed right up to her. She was so knowledgeable, caring and our dog went so peacefully. We can’t say enough good.
Thank you Journeys for helping my husband and I through the tough but necessary decision to have our cat put to rest. Dr. Laura came to our home and was very gentle with Storm our 17 year old cat and her humans. She helped us understand what was going to happen and we knew it was the right thing to do. Dr. Laura made a paw print for us and also gave us comforting hugs before she left. Storm is in her resting place with toys, pictures of her humans and her favorite hair comb.
Madison, WI