Our Favourite Stories of 2025: Sharing Gratitude & Celebrating Wisdom
As we reach the end of 2025, we’ve been reflecting on the stories shared with us throughout the year, stories filled with heart, courage, vulnerability, and the immeasurable love between people and their animals.
This year, you, our community, opened your doors, your memories, and your most tender moments so we could help honour the lives of the pets who shaped you.
This month, we’ll be celebrating some of our favourite quotes from the remarkable people we featured in our 2025 interview series. Each quote carries a piece of their journey, their insights, their lessons, their love. Here is a special year-end tribute that highlights not only their words, but the stories behind them.
Wisdom From the Hearts Who Shared Their Stories
Dr Tanya Rae - Veterinarian
Dr Tanya Rae welcomed us into her world as a veterinarian who has walked alongside countless families during some of their most difficult moments. With empathy and clarity, she spoke about the emotional weight of end-of-life decisions, and the importance of putting the animal’s comfort at the heart of every choice.
Our favourite quote from Tanya reflects the delicate balance she holds between compassion and advocacy:
“Everyone's different, but it's my job to advocate for the pet and I try and remind people that grief process is going to be there whether you do it today or tomorrow or next week. So if it's appropriate for your pet to go to sleep earlier rather than later, I try and send them in that direction.”
Through Tanya’s words, we’re reminded that saying goodbye early is not giving up - it is often one of the kindest acts of love we can offer. You can read her full interview here.
Mel - Beloved Human to Amos
Mel’s story was one of fierce devotion. She shared the journey of caring for Amos through chronic health struggles and the daily commitment it took to ensure he always felt safe, supported, and adored. Their bond was palpable - a love that shaped both of their lives.
We loved this quote from Mel, which speaks directly to that devotion:
“I know that I told Amos that I loved him. I absolutely 100% know that he knew that I loved him and I did everything I could. So I would really encourage people to just tell your dog you love them, make sure they know. I told him I loved him every single day and all he knew was love. And I feel really happy and grateful about that..”
Mel’s words remind us that what our pets feel matters more than anything, and love is the legacy they leave us. You can read her full interview here.
Jenny- BAARC Foster Coordinator
Jenny’s joy for rescue work shone through every part of her story. She spoke about the seniors, the surrenders, the heartbreaks, the triumphs, and the magic that happens when a foster home becomes a forever home.
Her wonderfully honest interview reflected the reality of rescue life:
“You're a terrible foster carer when you can't give them up. And we've all done it. We call that foster failing. It's one of the joys, I guess, of fostering is that it's a kind of a try before you buy scenario. If it fits well in your home, then you can keep them. And we encourage that. If somebody wants to foster fail, they can. That's for sure.”
Through Jenny, we saw that rescue is not just service, it is community, heart, and a whole lot of love. You can read her full interview here.
Natalie - Founder, Sweet Goodbye for Pets
This year, Natalie shared the origin story of Sweet Goodbye, how her personal experience shaped the creation of gentler, more meaningful farewell rituals for pets. Her perspective is rooted in gratitude for the lessons animals teach us and the profound ways they enrich our lives.
She beautifully reflected that belief:
“While they are with us, they are here to make us better beings. I think pets pass on when they've completed that role and their life with us is short, and I think perhaps they don't need to be around for as long as we do because they're already such good beings.”
It’s a reminder of why Sweet Goodbye exists: to honour the immeasurable goodness that animals bring into the world. You can read her full interview here.
Catherine - BlueLeaf Pet Cremation
Catherine shared her journey into pet aftercare, a path she chose after her own difficult experience with losing a beloved pet. She spoke openly about the need for dignified, compassionate options that help families feel at peace with their decisions.
We loved this quote from Catherine, which captured the heart of her calling:
“I think for a lot of pet parents, they are more than pets. They are family. And when it does come time to say goodbye, I think they want to do it in a respectful and dignified way just as we do with people. And that's a really important way for us to show our love and to help us in our healing journey as well, to know that we have done that for them for their lifetime of unconditional love.”
Her work, like Sweet Goodbye, is rooted in helping families transform grief into gratitude through meaningful farewells. You can read her full interview here.
Sonya - Winnie's human mumma
With quiet reflection, Sonya shared the deeply personal process of saying goodbye to her beloved Winnie, emphasising how meaningful and grounding the farewell can be.
Her words captured the intimacy of that moment:
“So I had a friend help me dig a very big hole for Winnie, and she was in her cocoon. We had some of her toys, her lead, her collar, just a few of her special things went there with her … and even just the moving of the sand on top of her … it felt earthy, it felt special. That was also very cathartic for me, to be a part of that and know that she was just going back to earth, I guess.”
Through Sonya’s words, we’re reminded that the acts of farewell - the rituals, the small details, and the presence of love - can be deeply cathartic, giving both comfort and closure while honouring a life well-loved. Read her full interview here.
Sharon - William Barrett & Sons
In her thoughtful blog post, “The Parallels Between How We Farewell Both People and Our Beloved Pets,” she speaks to one of the most profound truths: the depth of grief we feel for our pets is real, valid, and deserving of honour.
Her words carried warmth and clarity:
“No one should feel silly for grieving a pet. Pets give us unconditional love. They don’t judge what we wear, how we look, what we do. They’re just uncannily there when you need them. And there are also pets that are support pets. So the grief that you feel when you lose a pet is no less significant than if you lost a human. And for some people it’s even more significant.”
Her perspective is a powerful reminder that loss doesn’t have to follow any “right” path and that our love for our animals, and our grief when they’re gone, deserve space, compassion, and respect.
With Gratitude as We Look Ahead
This year brought stories that were raw, uplifting, emotional, and deeply human. Each person reminded us why honouring a pet’s life, from their first days to their final moments, matters so much.
Thank you to every storyteller who trusted us.
Thank you to every family who welcomed us into their experiences.
Thank you to our community, who believes in compassionate goodbyes as deeply as we do.
