Peace of Mind for Pet Parents Episode 038: The Gift of Now: Understanding Presence in Pet Hospice Care – Learning from Our Animals How to Live in the Present Moment

By Gail Pope & Karen Wylie | November 12, 2025

Welcome to Peace of Mind for Pet Parents! What does it really mean to “be present” with your dying pet? It’s advice we hear constantly—stay present, be in the moment, live in the now. But what does that actually look like when you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and your mind won’t stop racing? In this conversation, Gail…

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Peace of Mind for Pet Parents Episode 034: When Palliative Care Becomes Hospice: Knowing When to Shift Gears

By Gail Pope & Karen Wylie | October 16, 2025

Welcome to Peace of Mind for Pet Parents! Is your pet’s condition starting to shift? Are medications losing effectiveness? Are you visiting the vet more frequently, yet seeing less stability? If you’re caring for an aging or terminally ill pet, you may be wondering when—or if—it’s time to shift from palliative care to hospice care.…

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How To Talk To Your Vet About Terminal Illness: 7 Questions That Open Honest Conversations

By Karen Wylie, EdD | October 8, 2025
brown and white chihuahua mix puppy

You leave the veterinary clinic with a diagnosis—cancer, kidney failure, heart disease—but you’re still not sure what it really means. Can your pet recover? Are you fighting for cure or managing decline? Treatment options were discussed, but the word “terminal” was never clearly stated. Now you’re home, confused and scared, not knowing how to plan…

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Peace of Mind for Pet Parents Episode 033: The Missing Word: Why “Terminal” Matters in Talking with Your Vet

By Gail Pope & Karen Wylie | October 8, 2025

Welcome to Peace of Mind for Pet Parents! Why do veterinarians avoid saying “terminal”? When veterinarians avoid the word “terminal,” families often leave with no written diagnosis, unclear prognosis, focus on expensive treatments without understanding outcomes, no mention of hospice options, and no preparation for aftercare decisions. But when families receive honest, compassionate communication, they…

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Is It Time for Euthanasia? Or Is It Time for Something Else?

By Karen Wylie, EdD | October 2, 2025
A cute mixed-breed puppy peacefully sleeping in a wicker basket indoors.

Every pet parent dreads the question, ‘Is it time?’ We panic, fearing pain, regret, and the unknown. But the truth is, there isn’t one magic moment. Instead of asking when it’s time to euthanize, learn to ask a better question: ‘Is it time for what?’— and discover the options that honor your pet’s final chapter…

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Peace of Mind for Pet Parents Episode 019: What to Do When Your Pet Dies at Home: Understanding the Physical Process, Emotional Reactions, and Gentle Rituals That Can Bring You Peace

By Gail Pope & Karen Wylie | July 4, 2025

Welcome to Peace of Mind for Pet Parents!🐾 What should you do when your pet dies at home?  This heartfelt episode of Peace of Mind for Pet Parents offers compassionate guidance for pet lovers who want to create space to honor their pet’s body and begin the grieving process in a calm, respectful way. Karen…

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