HONOR PET helped make a hateful day bearable. My 16-year-old Shiba, Monju, was at the end of her…read morelife after a rapid decline. I didn't want her to suffer, and though she wasn't in distress, I could tell she was laboring to stay alive. Having never faced this before, I was lost. Most vet sites didn't list end-of-life care, 24/7 emergency clinics had awful reviews, and house-call vets were booked a week out.
Finding HONOR PET was a godsend. Their website guides you step-by-step through end-of-life options, costs, and exactly what happens during the final moments so you can prepare yourself as best you can. You have two options: you can choose to have the procedure done at HONOR PET's Comfort Center or you can schedule an in-home option where the vet will come to your house. There's one more option: if your fur baby died and you don't need euthanasia services you can use HONOR PET for the Water Cremation option.
Parking is available, but it's a little confusing to get to because there aren't any signs that indicate where it is. There's a map on the website, so as you turn into the driveway, any empty space against the building is available to park in. Don't park in any space that has a sign saying "reserved for" and don't pull into that little area that is set apart by a fence.
You can read about my experience or you can stop here. All the pertinent info is listed above.
I chose their DTLA center, where they take you straight to a private, home-like room with couches, pillows, desk, all the things you'd find in a house. This way your pet isn't stressed out by being in a sterile and unwelcoming environment in a vet's waiting area, surrounded by other animals. The room had a home vibe (pictures of the rooms are on their website) and felt welcoming and --strangely enough-- cheerful. I took Monju out of her travel crate and sat on the couch holding her on my lap, while scratching her head and neck, and talking to her. She laid there resting, opening her eyes to look around every now and again.
The vet came in, I think her name was Dr. Claire, but I wasn't focused mentally that day to remember, but she was great. She had a calm demeanor, showed compassion and empathy, and made the dire circumstance seem not as dark, at the same time never downplaying the seriousness of why we were there.
She went over the procedures step-by-step and explained other things that might happen to prepare me and to make sure if I had any concerns or questions I could raise them. Dr. Claire (I hope that's her name) gave Monju the sedative in an injection. Almost immediately after the sedative was in her system, I felt the tension leave her body as she relaxed, drifting into a deep sleep. She even started snoring.
After about 10 or 20 minutes, maybe sooner, making sure that Monju was in that deep relaxed state, the Dr. started an IV that delivered the cocktail, taking her to the other side.
She passed away quietly and peacefully in my arms without gasping or convulsing. In fact, I didn't even realize that she passed until the Dr. checked her heart and confirmed it.
Dr. Claire was incredibly compassionate and told me that she needed to put Monju in a blanket and arrange her body before rigor mortis sets in. She added that Monju will be handed back to me and I could stay up to an hour to continue saying goodbye. But I didn't want to stay since Monju's soul/spirit was gone.
Honor Pet was doing the cremation and after you have said your final goodbye, the Dr. takes him/her and that's when they prepare for the cremation. You don't get the remains back the same day, it takes about a week or so, if you choose the option that has the ashes come back to you. The other option is to have their remains cremated and the ashes will be added to other pets and then scattered or buried.
I read on the site that if you have a different idea of cremation or how you want to handle the body, you have the choice of taking your furry child somewhere else. BTW, Honor Pet only offers the Water Cremation as an option for cremation.
When I was handing my baby over for the last time it broke my heart and I almost lost it. In that split second, I felt the overpowering need to let out a primal scream and break into that ugly cry. Somehow, I didn't and as fast as that feeling hit me it was gone. I kissed Monju on the snout and handed her over to Dr. Claire, who lovingly wrapped her up in a blanket and took her body away.
On my way out the staff continued to offer their condolences, and I left with a mixture of sadness and relief knowing that Monju was peacefully at rest.
I'm not sure what I would've done without the support and compassionate care that I got from Dr. Claire and the wonderful staff at HONOR PET. Thank goodness a place like this exists.