When Love Means Letting Go or A Vet’s Story of Saying Goodbye

Letting go of a beloved pet is one of the most heartbreaking choices a pet parent can face. In a deeply moving and compassionate episode of Paws & Effect, Dr Carra Walters sits down with Dr Jenn from Sage Paws to explore the complexities of end-of-life care for our pets.

Dr Jenn, whose experience in helping families navigate euthanasia and pet loss shines through in every word. Dr Carra also shares her own emotional story of saying goodbye to her beloved dog, Alfie, a story that will resonate with anyone who has ever loved a pet deeply.

As a veterinarian, Dr Carra has walked many families through the pain of euthanasia with empathy and clinical care. But when it was Alfie’s time, she found herself in unfamiliar territory, not as a vet, but as a heartbroken pet owner asking the same questions her clients often do: Am I holding on too long? Am I giving up too soon?

When Alfie’s quality of life quietly declined, no longer enjoying his walks, food, or affection, she came to understand, as Dr Jenn so gently reminded her, that letting go can be an act of deep, selfless love.

Is My Pet in Pain?Drawing on her expertise, Dr Jenn outlines some of the subtle and not-so-subtle signs that a pet may be struggling:

• Withdrawal or unusual behaviour
• Reluctance to move or play
• Shaking, panting, or obsessive licking
• Loss of appetite or changes in toileting habits
• Restlessness or vocalising

If you notice these signs, even in small ways, it could be your pet’s way of asking for help.

How Do I Know It’s Time?There is no single answer, but Dr Jenn offers some guiding questions to help bring clarity:

• Is the pain constant, even with treatment?
• Are there seizures or difficulty breathing?
• Has your pet lost interest in what they once loved?
• Are they struggling with mobility or dignity?

And importantly, how are you doing? As Dr Jenn reminds us, your emotional and physical well-being matters too. Wanting peace, for you and your pet, is not selfish, it’s human.

The Quality-of-Life Scale: Bringing Clarity to a Difficult DecisionOne of the most valuable tools discussed in this episode is the “quality-of-life scale,” which helps pet parents evaluate their animal’s comfort and well-being across areas such as appetite, pain levels, hygiene, mobility, and happiness. Used in partnership with your vet, this tool can help you step back from the emotion and make a decision with compassion and clarity.This episode is not just for those currently facing this decision, it’s for anyone who has loved and lost a pet or who may one day be called to make that final, selfless choice.

Because, as Dr Jenn so beautifully says, sometimes loving deeply means letting go, gently.

YouTube: https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC1jgV_jakzTlmtWxJY-e6SwInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_carra/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3v41NnTeqpNxodLs0wQbzF

Website: https://hillcrestvets.co.za/