End of Life Resources
When animals enter our life, we start on a journey filled with adventure, learning and love. The animals reach deep into us and change us in ways that can hardly be described. We grow in love. And upon their leaving, we are lost, devastated. Over time, we explore the story and see the meaning, and stand in awe of these remarkable beings. What an honour they give us when they walk a part of our lives with us.
— Barbara Janelle
Quality of Life Resources
The BEAP Pain Scales are useful to help you to assess how well your pet is coping in its current state.
The Feline Grimace Scale is a great tool to gauge pain, and ultimately, quality of life in cats. Please use the QR code to access the training manual or the video.
This Quality of Life Scale may help you in decide when it is the right time for euthanasia
A Quality of Life calendar can help you gauge the good days and the not-so-good days for your pet.
This article by Cherie Buisson DVM gives a wonderful perspective on a tough subject.
Aftercare Resources
You may wish to bury your pet at home. If so, please contact your city/township office for bylaws regarding animal burial.
We have provided a description of the different types of cremation services and the respective costs.
Included with the individual cremation is your choice of one of these complimentary urns.
Brooke Mobile uses the services of Gateway Pet Memorial, a pet crematorium located in Guelph, Ontario.
Grief Resources
Gateway Pet Memorial Services offers a Pet Compassion Careline, a complimentary grief support hotline available 24/7. Call anytime you want someone to talk to.
Online communities, grief and bereavement resources, pet loss support groups, and book suggestions. can be found on the OVC Pet Trust Pet Loss Support website
Ontario-specific online pet loss communities, phone support, meetings, and Facebook.
The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Centre (OSUVMC) has developed a superb and comprehensive set of resources on pet euthanasia and ancillary topics.
Grief and Children
Euthabag, a Canadian company dedicated to best euthanasia practices and experiences for pets, has generously provided these resources.
From the OVC Pet Trust Pet Loss Support website.
Memorial Ideas
A donation in the name of your pet
Donate to your local animal shelter, the OSPCA, a veterinary charity or a veterinary school in honour of your pet. Organizations local to the Owen Sound Area are:
Plant a tree in memory of your beloved pet
Consider a living memory urn for your pet’s ashes with a tree cutting for you to plant.
Clone your pet with a custom one-of-a-kind stuffed toy.
The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center has many good ideas to celebrate your pet’s life.
Gateway offers memorial products to commemorate your pet. Please see the brochure for products and prices.
Spiritual Resources
Written in 1954, this classic shows us that communication between us and the animals we love is possible.
Renowned animal communicator Pea Horsely takes us through her personal journey of pet loss.
Penelope Smith is an animal communicator and educator. Here she shares her experiences communicating with animals who have passed.