A little about me and why I set up this service

I have been a small animal vet for over 20 years and have worked at many practices throughout Renfrewshire and the surrounding areas. I am fond of all my patients but have a real soft spot for the golden oldies. It is so important to allow them to make the most of their twilight years and when the time comes allow them a dignified and stress free passing.

My vision in setting up this service - Rainbow Paws Pet Euthanasia - was to allow more pet owners to say goodbye to their pets in their own home if they wish, just as I had had the privilege to do for my own dog Gus.

Gus was my perfect sidekick and my rock, he was my kids best friend and he made our house a home with his wagging tail to welcome us and his unconditional love. He was as much a part of our family as any of us.

In January 2022 I diagnosed Gus as having cancer. As soon as you get such an awful diagnosis your grief begins. You know at some point you are going to lose this part of your family. He did well for a long time but in August 2023 I could see he was starting to struggle and xrays showed his cancer had spread too far and our time with Gus was limited. We made the most of it and took him to his favourite place, the beach, as often as we could but I could see week by week that life was becoming hard. He still gave us his all and tried to interact with us as he always did but eventually even the welcome at the door was a struggle for him. As a family we made the agonising decision that we had to let him go. It took all our love for him to make the decision - we had to do what was best for him at this point as he had always given us his all.

I put him to sleep at home in his favourite room on his favourite blanket cuddled by the people he loved. It was calm and full of love, it was just what Gus would have wanted. It was such a comfort to me as his mum that he hadnt been stressed at the end and he had literally just gone to sleep in his happy place.

If I can help other people achieve this then there would be no greater privilege.

Traditionally the euthanasia appointment has taken place in the vet surgery. As vets we realise what a heart breaking time this is for owners and do everything we can to make it as peaceful as possible for both the owner and their precious pet. We can't however simulate the comfort and security of your own home where your pet feels at its most content. Over the past few years there have been more and more pet owners requesting euthanasia to take place in their own home. As vets in practice we wish we could say yes to all these requests but due to a crisis in vet numbers and an increasing number of pets there just isnt the staffing levels to allow this.

The home surrounding is familiar and comforting. Both pet and their families can be themselves, there are not other people around who they don't know and there isn't the hustle and bustle of a normal vet surgery. We can take time together to make the process as perfect as it can be for all involved.
It will never be rushed, it will be personal and tailored to you and your companion.

As a vet it is one of the most important things we can do for our patients - make the end as easy and as peaceful as it can possibly be for both pet and their families.