As we entered the new year, we knew that we would have to make some difficult decisions regarding our animal residents. Providing quality care and individualized medical treatments for all seasons of an animal’s life is our greatest privilege and honor. Sometimes the last act of kindness we can offer is to walk them home with dignity and peace.

Saying goodbye to our animal residents is never easy, and the emotional toll of losing them is tough. This month, we had to say farewell to Garfunkel, Perla, and Lawson, three of our beloved hospice residents. Each animal had a unique personality and brought joy and happiness to our staff, volunteers, and visitors.

Garfunkel, with his sweet disposition and kind eyes, captured the hearts of everyone who met him. Despite his cancer diagnosis, Garfunkel continued to enjoy his daily routine, spending time with his herd mates, and savoring treats until the end.

Perla, our beautiful and eldest goat, was a calming presence on our ranch. Her peaceful personality and love of relaxing in the sunshine and chewing cud were some of the sweetest things to observe. It was our privilege to provide Perla with the quality life and specialized care she needed during her final days.

Sweet little Lawson was a tiny but mighty presence on our ranch. Despite his size, Lawson had a big personality and a huge heart. He loved nothing more than a good scratch and receiving attention and affection. Despite our efforts to fight and treat his brain abscess, Lawson let us know that it was time to say farewell.

As we mourn the loss of these three special residents, we take comfort in knowing that we provided them with love and peace, and respected them for who they were, not for what they could provide. We are grateful for the time we spent with them and the lessons they taught us about love, resilience, and the power of the human-animal bond.

We remain committed to providing quality end-of-life care for all our animal residents, both present and future. We would like to thank our supporters, volunteers, and staff who help us walk alongside our animal residents through each chapter of their lives. Garfunkel, Perla, and Lawson – you will be dearly missed. Rest in peace.