Hello!
Welcome back to The Journal; a look at what I've been up to and all things puppies, pets and people that I meet along the way!
A whirlwind trip to Melbourne allowed me to catch up with some of you who I haven't seen since Puppy Preschool, and some new clients embarking on emerging businesses. I also connected with a vet who is doing the type of work we all sort of worry about; Dr Taylah Locastro provides in home end-of-life veterinary care to pet owners across Melbourne with incredible warmth and grace. Taylah and her senior companion, Mila, joined me for a coffee in Brunswick and we chatted all about the wonderful work of providing home veterinary care to those in their final season of life. |
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As I arrive at a the cafe in Brunswick, Taylah is in the middle of a phone call. I know it's not a call that can wait, it's a client who is trying desperately to come to terms with the toughest decision known to us as pet owners; the right time to say goodbye. Fittingly, a gentle but curious grey snout appears quietly from under the table to look up at me. I'm greeted by Mila, Taylah's 10 year old Labrador, smartly adorned in a green bandana and so beautifully behaved, I hadn't even realised she was there. I sat with Mila and briefly reflected on my decision to say goodbye to my senior dog, Ollie, last year and felt a wave of anguish wash over me. |
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MILA, AN EXTENSION OF DR TAYLAH, MELBOURNE, VIC 2025. |
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End of Life. Euthanasia. Goodbye. It's a confronting notion. It certainly feels like an impossible decision when you are in the midst of it, even with experience in the veterinary profession. Day in day out, euthanasia is part of working in a busy vet hospital, but it doesn't get easier. However, I can only speak for myself when I say, that I came to quite enjoy it as an aspect of 'the job'. Early in my career I worked to deliver end of life nursing care to clients at home as they navigated the decision with their vet to say goodbye to their beloved pet. I really enjoyed giving clients a safe space to come to terms with the decision - it was intimate - supporting someone and making their pets as comfortable as possible was a privilege and left me with a sense of fulfilment, satisfaction and value - like you are making a real difference.
We talk a lot about 'quality of life' and helping pet owners understand what this looks like. "When the good days are outnumbered by bad, or they're starting to show subtle signs like changes in breathing, sleeping more, or looking exhausted, that's often our cue to start thinking, gently, about goodbye", says Taylah. |
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PREPARING FOR END OF LIFE |
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Dr Taylah returns after concluding her phone call, explaining that a tough decision was coming to a head. Supporting her clients is a central tenet of her work. Preparing for a pet's goodbye isn't about focusing on the loss, Taylah says, "it's about creating a loving, calm space for their final moments." Within a minute or two, I feel instantly safe. Taylah is warm. I can't help but see Mila as a natural extension of her.
Taylah works to prepare the whole family for end of life, talking honestly with kids to help them feel included. Providing children with "a chance to say goodbye in their own way...little things like writing a letter or creating a photo album can make a huge difference." Other pets in the home are included also, Taylah says that pets being present helps them process loss too, "it reduces anxiety later on because they are not left wondering where their companion went." |
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MILA AND TAYLAH, MELBOURNE, VIC 2025. |
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If you are wondering when the right time is, Taylah says "you may never feel ready...our pets are family, we wish they could stay with us forever, but gifting them a pain-free, peaceful passing is one of the most selfless acts of love." We used to wait for the obvious signs; not eating, drinking or losing control of toileting, but this can sometimes mean we've left it too late. Taylah explains that she often asks families: "is your pet still doing the little things that make them...them? Let's say goodbye while there's still a little spark of them left." |
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A recent study on mobile end-of-life vets compared with general practice vets found that nearly 70% of vets working in end-of-life care felt fulfilled in their work and just 15% reported burnout. A stark contrast to general practice vets; where 30% feel fulfilled and 57% reported burnout. When asked why they chose this area of work, an overwhelming majority of end-of-life vets wanted to help pets pass peacefully at home and to make a difference in a pets final moments. Dr Taylah says this reflects what she has experienced, "while it's emotional, it's also deeply meaningful and protective, in a way."
There are so many beautiful aspects of home goodbyes that Taylah hopes more families will come to understand:
ACCESSIBILITY: It's accessible to the whole family; children, relatives who can't leave the home, and other pets can be included. This involvement makes a huge difference for everyone's grieving process.
PERSONALISED CARE: Offering a personal touch at home can create a peaceful, sacred space that reflects the bond families share with their pet. Candles, music, words or just the quite comfort of being together; it all helps to make a heartbreaking moment just a little bit softer.
PRIVACY: Saying goodbye at home changes everything; it's calmer, it's private and it allows the pet to pass in the space they have always felt the most safe, their home.
Of course we don't always get the opportunity to plan a home goodbye, but when we do, Taylah believes that we should utilise it, "it's one of the last gifts we can give them." |
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MILA (LEFT/TOP) AND TAYLAH (RIGHT/BOTTOM), MELBOURNE, VIC 2025. |
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"The best part of my job is being able to give families and their pets a gentle, peaceful experience at home. It's such a privilege to create a space where they can share their final moments without the stress of a clinic, surrounded by love, familiar smells and even other pets." There's a hard part for Taylah too; when she is unable to help a pet in time. A natural death at home isn't always peaceful. She explains "pets can experience pain, anxiety or distress in those final moments, which is why I'm so passionate about guiding families early, not just in the final hours, but in the final weeks, months or even years."
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If you have a senior pet that is in their last chapter, please get in touch to book a senior session with me. I can help you curate a beautiful session to celebrate your pets life before it's too late. I prioritise these sessions highly and will do my best to fit them into my schedule, even at late notice.
I had a friend do this for me when I had made the decision to say goodbye to Ollie last year. I'm so glad we were able to capture our last evening walk at home together. Trust me when I say, you won't regret it. |
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OLLIE 2010-2024, GUNDAROO, NSW 2024.
Photographer: Nathan Harradine-Hale @collectionsfromhim. |
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To each and every one of you,
thank you for being here, even if just for a moment!
Until next month! |
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