ARCHIE
Dear Sarah and Ashley
It’s two weeks now since we lost Archie and this is still a very hard email to write but it’s also a very necessary one, because the work you both do is so valuable. You make the unbearable bearable.
Archie was a pretty typical rescue collie – hyper-anxious, hyper-suspicious, hyper-alert. We always knew that, when the end came, we couldn’t take him in to our vet (however lovely she might be) because his stress levels would have gone off the charts. He would have fought death just as hard as he’d fought so much of his early life. So, to have him safe at home in his favourite bed, his head on our knees, so carefully and compassionately sedated, just able to relax and slowly, gently drift away – well, it was as good as it can be. It was the last gift we could give him and you both made it possible. You are very special people and we count ourselves lucky to have come across you when we did; as lucky as we were when we first came across Archie.
To anyone reading this who might be in any doubts about calling on Sarah’s service, don’t be: she is exceptional. Her kindness and gentleness with Archie made all the difference – to him and to us.
Look after yourselves – the work you both do must come at a considerable emotional cost and is all the more precious for that.
With love and thanks,
C & A
BEAN
This is an incredible service.
My beautiful 14 year old Vizsla was losing her quality of life quite rapidly in her last few weeks and we wanted her passing to match the life she had with us. Her favourite place especially on a warm day was lying on my sun lounger around our pond.
Sarah came to the house two hours after our call and bought a feeling of calm into what was a very sad day for us.
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It was as if Bean just was having one of her usual naps. no pain, no stress just a beautiful passing.
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We used Sarah’s recommendation of Ashley her business partner to get Bean cremated and her ashes were returned to us that evening.
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it was so comforting knowing we hadn’t been parted and we scattered her ashes around the garden she had so loved to potter in
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I have sadness but am so comforted in how she passed it has really made all the difference.
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Caroline, Cheltenham
Winnie
Dear Sarah and Ashley
I want to thank you both for being available when little Winnie needed you .
We knew she didn’t have long however it all happened so fast and Sarah was with us within half an hour. This meant Winnie did not suffer any further discomfort after collapsing.
She called Ashley and everything went so smoothly. Winnie was relaxed and ready to float away in the comfort of her own bed and home with her loved ones beside her. I couldn’t have asked for a more peaceful goodbye for her.
Ashley was here straight after to take Winnie away and she was back with us the very next day. This has made the grieving and loss much more bearable, she’s here til we decide where to lay her rest.
As with many vets, mine uses out of hours and being a Sunday too, I knew I had to act fast so Winnie could go quickly.
We as humans do not have the benefit of such care and speed when we are dying.
So with that I want this review to be shared to all.
Make note of these 2 wonderful people as our fur babies are part of the family and the loss is as losing a close family member.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5 star review to Paws to Sleep and Atypical Pet Crematorium
Dayle, Tewkesbury
Duke
Our Dukie beagle was struggling with lymphoma and we telephoned Sarah of Paws To Sleep.
Sarah was so understanding. Dukie was never a happy patient at the vets and we didn’t want her to be upset on her last journey.
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Sarah came to our home, quiet and calm. Dukie ate her favourite snacks until she fell asleep. Forever grateful to Sarah for putting us straight in a kind way when we wavered about whether it really was Dukie’s time to go. It absolutely was in hindsight.
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We chose to take Duke to Ashley at Atypical Pet Crematorium. Ashley was so kind and so respectful of Dukie. We knew Duke was in safe hands. Ashley took time to speak to us and we had more time with Dukie before leaving her with Ashley. We collected Dukie’s ashes the very next day, beautifully cherished in a little jute bag with her name on in wooden carved letters.
Forever grateful to you both,
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Duke, Barb & Briar, Drybrook
Paddy
Good morning Sarah and Ashley,
Well it’s been a week now without Paddy and I’ve only just managed to bring myself to write you this email of thanks.
We got paddy from the dogs trust when he was around 4 years old. He was found abandoned in Ireland and bought to the UK for re homing, when I went to dogs trust at first I walked passed paddy as all the other dogs were jumping around and barking, on my way out I noticed this dog who looked at me deep in the eyes as if to say please take me home at this moment I knew he was meant for me love at first sight.
We lived in Norfolk at the time and he loved the countryside we would walk for miles through the winding countryside and through the forest. 5 years later we got him a brother Murphy a Jack Russel in no time at all they became the best of friends. They are my beautiful boys.
Although we had Paddy for 15 years towards the end his hearing went and his back legs started to go, I knew that his time was coming to an end and never wanted to take him to the vets, I didn’t want his final moments to be stressed and clinical.
Last Saturday morning I woke up to find him on the floor and we could not get him up I knew the day I was dreading was here. When you came into my home you put me at ease with the process, I can only describe you as an angel who looked after my Paddy in his final moments. Although it was a heartbreaking situation it was so beautiful as it was so peaceful and the most respectful gift I could have given Paddy.
On Wednesday we were reunited with paddy as we drove through the beautiful countryside to collect him it reminded me when we lived in Norfolk and this again felt so beautiful. Ashley again put me at ease. Another Angel. You both are such compassionate people and I can’t thank you enough.
So Murphy is adjusting to life without his brother and so are we but we have comfort in knowing he was looked after right up to the end.
Thank you both so much
Jo and John
Molly
Just four days ago we had to say goodbye to our best friend, our soulmate Molly we had this sweet girl for nearly 14 years .
We loved her dearly every single second, she was such a sweet companion who never left our sides. Molly was there through all our dark days and the good. She was always there wanting cuddles and kisses but as the years passed her little cheeks started turning silver and she began to become an old lady she plodded on as best as she could until she could do no more.
Wednesday morning we made the tough decision to call Sarah at Paws To Sleep to see if she could help us. Sarah came to us that day. She talked us through the whole process she was so gentle and loving with Molly (we could see that Molly took a shine to Sarah straight away) – myself and my husband included.
I hated the thought of having to take Molly out of her own home to somewhere so clinical and cold but all that was taken away from us. Molly was home in our arms when she peacefully went to sleep and it made a sad, upsetting situation easier for all of us we will be forever grateful to Sarah for what she has done for us all.
Love always Ceri, Dale and our Molly.
Joe
I just wanted to say thank you again for what you did today.
I was so nervous about the whole process having never had to go through it before but you made everything simple, explained what you were doing and were so gentle.
I thought I would be in floods of tears throughout which I didn't want, but because we were able to have a chat about your dogs and have a bit of a laugh it put me at ease so I could be brave for him. The fact that he could have his last moments on his own couch, that I didn't have to cry in front of strangers in a waiting room, and that he could sleep on his favourite scratchy old blanket, meant the world to me.
I loved Joe to the moon and back and will miss him so much (crying now!), but we couldn't have asked for a more peaceful ending.
You were professional but importantly you were so friendly and empathetic too.
Thank you for making a painful time easier.
Casper
This is a sad post but I really want to recommend a couple of local services. I just wish I had known about them before.
It was a chance conversation that pointed me in the right direction and if you have a very nervous or reactive animal or just for whatever reason difficult to manage situation then you need this information …
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https://www.pawstosleep.co.uk/
The most empathetic, gentle lady vet who comes to your home and quietly assists your animals passing. Sarah used extra sedatives to help relax Casper before she even came into the house.
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https://atypicalpetcrematorium.co.uk/
Ash was respectful and compassionate. He collects your beloved pet and takes them out in a special pet sling. It was as dignified as could be. He aims to reunite you with your animal within 24 hours .
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K, Gloucester
KATIE
This is a tribute to our awesome beautiful wise 20 year old rescue collie cross Katie, who for 16 wonderful years, was the best friend in the world to everyone in our big family.
She was the perfect gentle loving pet who never showed impatience nor aggression and who loved everyone in our family as much as we loved her. She watched us all closely and always knew if any one of us was upset in any way … and provided love and comfort to all of us at all times. She saw us through the very worst and the very best of times.
When her time came she was in so much pain (although never complained) and finally couldn’t really eat nor drink. She always hated going in the car and going to see the vet, (although tolerated it for our sakes).
Thanks to Sarah and her very humane, personal, gentle and responsive service Katie’s suffering wasn’t prolonged … she died relaxing … sleeping in her favourite shady place in our garden surrounded by the family she loved. So peaceful ….
She just went to sleep and we all had the chance to say goodbye and to thank her and tell her how much she was loved. No other agency I contacted (in desperation to help our beloved pet) were as personally supportive and none were flexible enough to respond to us as quickly. Thank you so much Sarah for this precious gift.
~ GM
MARGOT
Dear Sarah and your lovely daughter Kiva,
Margot had always been a lively and cheeky girl that loved nothing more than running in the woods chasing squirrels and loudly greeting other dogs she came across. She was very nervous of any vet visits and was distressed for a time afterwards too. So when Margot reached nearly 15 years old and had lost some of her get up and go, was confused/anxious and very unsteady on her feet, we decided that we wouldn't put her through that stress any more and when the time was right we contacted Sarah to come to our home for compassionate euthanasia.
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This was obviously a very emotional decision to make as a family but Sarah made the whole process easy to understand and on the day put us all at ease, including Margot.
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The kindness that you and your daughter Kiva showed us was huge, and Margot was able to pass calmly and beautifully in my arms with us all surrounding her.
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We thank you with all our hearts.
Sarah, Shaun, Daisy and Sam Jewitt
Millie
Thank you so much for your kindness and for the professional yet very caring way you helped Millie and us. We are so fortunate to have found you as you made it all so much more bearable. Your obvious love of animals shone through from the moment you approached Millie – she was immediately at ease and that made so much difference to us. You didn’t rush anything and gave all the time that was needed to do things kindly and gently, talking to Millie the whole time. We are so grateful. A&A, FOD
CAT
I'm so glad we found Sarah and she was able to come out to us and our beloved family cat at the end of his life. She helped make what was a very traumatic time for us positive and calm. She was very kind and professional and communicated well throughout. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending her to anyone sadly finding themselves in the same situation as us - so nice to be able to have done this in our own home. Thank you Sarah.
MEG
We said goodbye to our beautiful Meg last Saturday. She was the most loving and gentle dog and we count ourselves very fortunate that twelve and a half years ago, she chose us. Saying goodbye was incredibly difficult, however with the kind and considerate support of Sarah we were able to help her leave us calmly, quietly and held by us to the end. We are thankful for the love and joy Meg gave us and we hope that she felt the same. Anyone who has lost a family dog will know the hole that is left and how difficult it is to make the right decision, but Sarah’s professionalism, empathy and compassion certainly helped us say goodbye and we would highly recommend her to anyone who has to make a similar decision. Thank you Sarah, we miss Meg terribly but we do know that she is resting peacefully now.”