April 24th, 2019
Paws at Rest made a really difficult situation easier. They took care of finding a mobile vet so that my Bear was able to live his last moments on my bed.
When I met Francine, it was clear to me that she really cared, and really understood the pain associated with losing a pet. Upon pickup, the urn/fur clipping/paw print were all arranged on a personalized mat, with flowers/a poem, and a small candle. Little touches like this really do make a difference in honouring the life of a furry friend.
These people really do understand the grief associated with pet loss. I will definitely be calling them again when the dreaded time arrives for my other fur babies to cross the rainbow bridge.
Thank you!
Laura Anne
April 23rd, 2019
I had the pleasure of meeting Francine while teaching a first aid course and learned all about the work she does both with her kennel and Paws at Rest. Francine was caring, attentive, and clearly very passionate about her work and the families she provides support to.
In December 2018 my wife and I had learned our 13.5 black lab Scotia had cancer and her time was limited. Sadly her time came much quicker than we could of ever expected and we had to make one of the toughest decision in our lives, to let her go. We placed a call to Francine and Maria at Paws at Rest to help us through this emotional and difficult process. Our main priority and concern was that our Scotia was treated with dignity, respect, and with the utmost comfort and ease for her end of life care. From the very first phone call we placed we received not customer service, not a cookie cutter run of the mill service. Francine provided personal, individualized, and prompt support as if Scotia was her pet and we were family. Francine sat with Scotia and my wife and I and spent time learning about Scotia and explaining to us all our options and what to expect. Francine brought Dr. Kitchen in to perform the procedure, who was absolutely amazing. Dr. Kitchen sat with us for quite some time explaining exactly what we would see/ could expect during the procedure. We were given all the time we needed and were not rushed. Francine and Dr. Kitchen were even kind enough to let us face-time the procedure for Scotia’s old owners so they could be part of it. Once the procedure was complete we all sat and shared stories and memories of Scotia, than Francine invited our other 2 dogs to come pay their respects and say bye to Scotia. She was peacefully placed in a comfortable bed with her blankets, favorite ball, and leash. We were given the option of helping carry her out to the van, which was very emotional, but such an honor. Francine kept in touch with us over the next week and provide updates and to make sure we were holding up ok, and made sure we knew she was a call or email away if we needed anything.
When Scotia was ready to be picked up after cremation Francine booked us in for private appointment at their office in North Gower. When we arrived we were blown away with the beautiful display Francine and Maria had made to display Scotia. There were beautiful candles and flowers, and a custom hand drawn cloth with a rainbow and Scotia’s name on it. We were also surprised with a special ornament with Scotia’s picture in it. We were then invited to walk out the garden to place Scotia’s plaque on the memorial wall. This was such a touching tribute to Scotia and something we will continue to visit !
We are so grateful that we crossed paths with Francine and Paws at Rest and would highly recommend their support during your pets end of life transition. This is how all pets should leave this world!
Jay and Leslie Abramovitch
April 21st, 2019
To Francine & Maria,
Thank you both from the bottom of our hearts for the exceptional support you provided to us and our beloved Cuddy last night. As you could tell, we loved our dog deeply and we were so thankful to you for showing the love, respect, and dignity our Cuddy deserved in her time of need.
We could feel your love for animals and your sense of compassion for everyone involved.
When the time comes, I wish every pet could experience their last moments in your hands.
Thank You
The Horner Family
March 13th, 2019
Nora and me simpky wanted to thank you for your care of Füli.
To us, both the shape of the urn, the photo, his fur, his paw imprint, as weelnas the flower and the cloth have allowed us to still feel him near us always. We touch the urn morning and night, its shape reminescent of his little pot belly.
Thank you very much for your care and compassion; it is truly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Louis & Nora
January 29th, 2019
Even though we’ve been using Country Spaw for almost 10 years, we were surprised by how lovely an experience Paws at Rest provided. Being able to grieve and spend time with our Bailey was so important. I think it will help our family get through the pain of loss. Thank you so much for taking care of our baby.
Carolyn Oatman-Rouillard
December 17th, 2018
Hello Francine and Maria
We can not thank you enough for your kindness and attention to detail with our beautiful girl Elektra. Coming home was rough as expected , the house just does not feel the same. Our memories will forever be of her loving nature and passion to please.
Your kindness will not be forgotten.
Your new friends Jackie , Rob and Jacob
December 5th, 2018
Dear Francine and Maria,
We would like to thank you for the exceptional care you showed to our Maggie, your kindness and compassion were greatly appreciated. Your service went beyond expectations and our Maggie could not have been in better hands.
The Johnson family
July 24th, 2018
Dear Francine and Maria,
I cannot say in words how grateful I am to you both for what you do.
You made this difficult time for me, as beautiful as it could be.
The special care my Rocky Bear has been given is exactly what he deserves.
Yesterday was a sad day and amazingly beautiful at the same time, because of what you did for me, my Rocky Bear and my son.
Thank you doesn’t express what I think and feel towards your caring support.
And yesterday, I thanked Owen for his priceless legacy.
Sweet Owen and Rocky Bear can be together now.
I truly hope you continue to do what you do, forever.
I will be certain to spread the word about Paws at Rest.
Forever grateful xoxoxo
Namaste,
*Judy*
May 15th, 2018
When our pet became suddenly ill and died a week later in March, our family had not processed a death of this magnitude and suddenly needed to make arrangements that were unexpected and very difficult, emotionally.
I began to look into cremation options and learned that our vet offered an option, but I wanted something a little more personal as our cat was a member of our family and I couldn’t fathom a ‘cold’ recovery by a business truck with our ashes returned by someone who we had never met or spoken with.
I mentioned to a close friend of our situation and she told me about Paws at Rest, a local funeral service for pets, as her family had engaged their services upon the death of their beloved dog.
I contacted Paws at Rest via email, and was so warmed by the sensitive and kind response that was focused on us and our grieving state. I have never had to plan a funeral, let alone cremation options and Francine was so kind and warm and patient as I asked questions and was seized making decisions in the midst of our grief.
To discuss our family’s wishes and anticipations, Francine took care of the arrangements to collect our beloved Dora’s body from the veterinary office and organize the cremation services. She brought our Dora ‘home’ in a small bed which I felt was such a dignified service.
Francine visited me at our home and very gently walked me through the service and steps, and helped us to select a beautiful wooden urn and we selected the option to have clippings of our Dora’s fur, and a paw print. She kept in touch during the process and when her ashes were ready to collect, we went out to their property, which is a peaceful sanctuary with a garden dedicated to lost (pet) loved ones.
When we arrived at our appointment to collect our ashes, I did not really know what to expect. What Francine and Maria set up for us is beyond anything I expected and we were visibly moved. In their small chapel/viewing room, was a beautiful display similar that you would see at a human funeral visitation. Dora’s urn, her photo, a beautiful poem in a frame, a candle, handcrafted personalized keepsakes, and soft beautiful music played. It was so moving and I was stuck by the level of care and love to celebrate our beloved Dora’s precious life. I remarked to my children that what Paws at Rest did for Dora was more than some people get in a human death/funeral.
Following a period of soft chat and remembering our Dora, our family moved out to the garden area at Paws at Rest where a Rememberance memorial wall contained plaques of lost furry family members, adorned with small brass plaques. We installed one with Dora’s name and date of death. The garden is beautiful and peaceful and Francine invited us to return whenever we wanted to visit the wall and sit amongst the flowers and peaceful air while we fondly remembered our Dora..
I can’t say enough about the quality of service, the compassion and true care we received at a time when our emotions were distraught and our hearts were broken. I did shop around and the price of the services were the best out there and the testimonials of Paws at Rest were hands down the highest.
I would highly recommend Paws at Rest should you need this type of care and service from a local family who truly understands pet loss and bereavement. Thank you Francine and Maria.
Cathi Holmes
