A Peaceful Ending In Home Pet Euthanasia

Our sweet 13 year old cat was having difficulty breathing so we took her to our regular vet. After an x-​ray, we discovered she had metastatic lung cancer and the most humane course was to euthanize her. We wanted to bring her home and do it in our beautiful back yard, where she had spent her days watching our children play, birds and butterflies flitting around, and the gophers tearing up our yard. I called around to 3 or 4 mobile vets and Dr. Grote was the quickest and most responsive.
To be honest, I was looking for a woman vet at first because I felt a woman might be a better fit for me in this situation. Once I had Dr. Grote on the phone, however, I knew he was the right person. He managed to be both caring and appropriately light about a very heavy situation. He was very accommodating with scheduling, which was greatly appreciated as we were having to balance our cat’s comfort with our need to have the children be somewhere else when the time came.
When he arrived, Dr. Grote explained everything very gently. He has a genuine kind manner and he didn’t rush our goodbye in any way. He was very sweet to our cat the entire time, and helped us feel like what we were doing was the right thing for her.
We miss her terribly, but we feel comforted knowing that her last moments were so peaceful and full of love and care. Thank you, Dr. Grote.

We called Dr Grote when we decided that our little old cat Tasha had finally reached her last days. His website makes it easy to understand the process from start to finish, and the information there is a good introduction to a fine doctor who offers time, patience and compassion in addition to the usual services of a veterinarian who makes house calls. We spoke on the phone, discussed our cat’s situation and scheduled an appointment for the next day. I am very thankful that we found Dr Grote, as he made a difficult decision and a trying situation much easier to deal with. All of our cats (and WE) found his presence calming and he truly did provide a peaceful ending for our sweet old kitty. We’ll call him again when our other pets need the same gentle treatment, and highly recommend him to anyone wanting to give their pet the peaceful ending they deserve.

Our St. Bernard had an unexpected rapid decline in his health. We were looking for an urgent transition for him in a peaceful, in-​home atmosphere, after we picked him up from the hospital. We called Dr. Grote only 3 hours before we had to say goodbye to our best friend. He understood our concerns and even made adjustments in his schedule, to accommodate our urgency. He was kind, calming, patient, compassionate, and reassuring in a time that was very difficult for my wife and I. I highly recommend his services if you ever need to go through this difficult time with your pet. Thank you Dr. Grote.

Making these decisions on behalf of our pets is the hardest thing you’ll have to do one day. I want to thank Dr. Grote for making this process so comfortable for both my dog and myself, he was very sweet and understanding and talked me through the whole process he made a very difficult time much more comforting. Thank you again Dr. Grote

We decided to call Dr Grote about Sugar our 15 year old lab. She had hip problems for years and after a long happy life she started to suffer. The decision to end her suffering was the hardest part of the process. First of all I happened to call Dr Grote during his wife’s bday and he took the time to message me and get my info. The next day he came to the house and helped Sugar transition to a peaceful end. He was very gentle and caring. You really get the feeling that he really does care about your pet. He was a class act from start to finish. If your ever in the situation where you need to help your pet transition, trust me when I say call Dr Grote.

Dr. Grote was excellent! Our 11 year old lab was in serious distress and Dr. Grote arrived in one hour from the time I called him. He was truly understanding and sympathetic. He knew exactly what to do to care for our dog and to comfort us. His fees were very reasonable and I would recommend him to anyone who may need similar services. Thanks again for being there when we needed you. You’re the best!

Thank you Dr. John for being so compassionate and calm during our Maisie’s final hour. I called him once it was clear that we had to let our cat go, and within 3 hours he was at our house. He didn’t rush us or Maisie (our cat) and answered all of our questions in a patient and calm way. He let us cry and sob– and was really a wonderful guide for us as we let Maisie go. I can’t tell you how painful it is to have to make these decisions, but I do find solace in knowing that her last gift from us was a gentle goodbye in her own home. I would definitely recommend Dr. John Grote to anyone who finds themselves in this position. He also took care of aftercare and made the entire thing as stress free as it could possibly be. Thank you so much John.

I called Dr. Grote because I was getting ready to euthanize my 14 year old kitty Trina who had been diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. I was told she was in a lot of pain. I called Dr. Grote and we talked for about 30 mins. Long story short, he felt that my girl was still relatively young and that there could be other things going on. I told him she was a difficult patient so I rarely took her to the vet BC she wouldn’t let anyone get close to her and she was a biter. This did not deter him. We set up an appointment in the morning for her to be seen at the Los Feliz Animal Hospital. As soon as we arrived he had me place Trina in a less active and quiet area of the waiting room. Once in the room the plan was to keep her calm in her travel case and he would place her In a dark room to keep her calm so she could adapt. No other vet has ever mentioned doing this for my anxious little girl.
When I came back to get her several hours later, I was told that they were able to get two xray views, and took blood sampled all without sedating her or having her bite anyone. (At the previous vet they sedated her, only got one xray view, she bit someone and they didn’t want to go near her to take blood for testing).
We now have more of an idea of where her treatment plan is going and it is NOT lung cancer, nor is she suffering and ready to be put down like the other vet was all too quick to state.
It may be that Trina’s condition is terminal but at least I know Dr. Grote and his team can work with my difficult kitty so that informed decisions can be made.
When the time comes, I wouldn’t want anyone else but Dr. Grote to help Trina pass. Dr. Grote is truly a gift and I can’t thank him enough.
I highly recommend Dr. Grote. I have confidence that with his gentle nature and his ability to help your fur baby pass peacefully.

Dr. Grote will help you make the best decision in such a disheartening situation.
My Buddy had Hemangiosarcoma and he consulted and advised other treatments and options. Easy communication and he responds quickly.
Buddy was unfortunately to far into his illness for any treatment to work.
He shows genuine compassion and goes the extra mile to guide you in the right direction.
I would HIGHLY recommend his services to anyone making this incredibly difficult decision.
My Buddy is now in a happier place.
Dr. Grote helped him pass so peacefully and it makes the grieving process a little easier to manage.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Dr Grote helped me say goodbye to Daisydog after 17 and half years. He is extremely kind and such a caring individual. Most would call him an angel. He made the hardest decision of my life seamless. He came to the house and takes care of everything. I decided to have Daisy cremated and her remains were brought back in a lovely wooden box with her name engraved on it. The whole process was peaceful and she always got very nervous at the vet so making the choice to say goodbye at home was wonderful. He will go out of his way to help and explains the whole process. His bedside manner could not have been better. He is extremely patient to ensure all friends and family get to say their goodbyes. He was incredibly thoughtful and had me go inside while he removed her from the house to the car. He also followed up to let me know when her remains were ready and dropped them off. I highly recommend euthanizing your pet at home and Dr Grote is amazing.

Dr. Grote helped us with our 15 ½ year old shar pei. I could not imagine having to take Ruffles to the hospital for this difficult time as he HATES the vets office/​hospital. Dr. Grote was kind, compassionate, patient, and professional. We were never rushed in saying our goodbyes and he even took care of the arrangements after Ruffles passed. It was by far the most difficult moment in my life and I am thankful that we had Dr. Grote. It’s very difficult to write about this so I’m a bit at last for words but I definitely recommend him. Definitely.

He was an angel. Supremely heartfelt and professional (he was a better veterinarian than the emergency doc we had the night before). He made a difficult situation very beautiful in fact. Thank you. RIP Shady.

I called Dr. Grote on a Sunday night at 8pm. Our 10 yo dog had been suffering and we were thinking of euthanizing him the next day (today), but we decided he couldn’t suffer (and neither could we) through another night. Dr. Grote answered the phone and told us he would come right over. Words cannot express our gratitude to Dr. Grote. He did a check up on our dog and through his diagnosis helped us know that this was the right decision. It was agonizing to let our beloved furry kid go, but Dr. Grote made the process as peaceful as possibly imaginable. I just kept staring at Dr. Grote in disbelief that this angel of a man was at our house in a half hour. His energy is perfect. Knowledgeable and kind. I felt like I wanted to know him forever and be his friend. It’s an intimate process, allowing someone to euthanize your baby while you’re crying and talking to him or her, and we felt so comfortable with him that we told him he could stay in the room during our last moments with our baby. (He had kindly said he would leave the room for a few moments for us to say goodbye.) We really believe that our furry baby brought Dr. Grote to us. There can be no other explanation for the amazing experience we had. Now I am so thankful that we made the decision last night instead of waiting until today and getting someone else. Dr. Grote, thank you. From the bottom of our hearts. Oh, and it was a full moon last night and Dr. Grote said our dog had light to guide him. How beautiful is that. We are indebted.

Our 13 year old dog, Annie, deteriorated. I called Dr. Grote at 6:30 in the morning. He was able to adjust his schedule and be at our house by 7:15. He patiently explained the process to myself and my daughters and gently ushered Annie out of this world. Highly recommend.

Dr. Grote was just so kind and compassionate from start to finish. I called him very upset about my 16 year old cat who was ready to go home. He was so kind and compassionate during our conversation and was so accommodating to come out the same day and work with my schedule.
When Dr. Grote came to my home, he was so nice to my mother and I. We were both very upset about losing our girl & he was so patient and comforting with us. He explained the possibilities of what may happen during the process and that really helped. He was so gentle with my kitty & with us. He gave us the time we needed with her and we never felt pressured or rushed at any point during the process. Thank you Dr. Grote for being such a kind, compassionate, gentle person and for giving my little girl such a peaceful transition home. It meant the world to me that she pass in an environment that would be stress free and non-​threatening & you made that happen for us. I can honestly say you helped to make an extremely difficult time much easier to deal with and get through.

I would like to thank Dr. Grote for giving my pup the peace he needed. My13 year old pup was suffering and wasn’t eating or walking. My heart was breaking every time I watch my pup attempt to walk and fail. Dr. Grote was kind enough to rearrange his schedule and make an emergency drive up to my house.
He gave me a careful explanation of the procedure. He was very patient and gave me all the time that I needed to say goodbye to my pup. He made the entire process much easier although it’s not easy situation to deal with. Dr. Grote gave me hug at the end of the process
Dr. Grote was the most caring and compassionate veterinarian. He was very warm and comforting. He was very professional and respected my poor old pup. I am glad that I called Dr. Grote. He genuinely does care about animals.

I can’t say enough kind things about Dr. Grote. I called him because I felt it was getting time to have my kitty euthanized. I sent my cat’s medical records over and the next day Dr. Grote discussed at length what he felt was the best course of action for my kitty. He believed there was hope for James. It turns out it was too late unfortunately. Dr. Grote was kind, beyond generous and had nothing but comforting words to say during a very difficult time. A very, very kind man.

It was the hardest decision of my life! to send my 14 yr old kid PP cross the bridge to heaven on 9÷9÷14. Dr. John Gorte’s service was very professional and he understands how hard the decision was for me. He was very patient and gentle, he respects animal as they are our family member. He let me to have all the time to say goodbye. His after service was peaceful too.
It is never good or great going through this kind of experience. Dr. Gorte def made it easier and less stressful for both me and my kid.
Thank you!

I had to make the hardest decision of my life today: to let go of my precious cat Tango since he was extremely Ill with Leukemia and anemia.
Having Dr. Grote coming home was the right decision. He was gentle and compassionate. He explained all the procedure with care and let me took all the time I needed to say good bye to my furry friend.
Not only was the process easier by doing it at home, it was actually beautiful thanks to the soothing presence of the Dr. Comforting me every step of the way.
He came to see me on the 4^th of July, when no one else would have take the time to do it. He answered my call the night before and answered all my questions.
My heart is sad, but at the same time in peace thanks to the great job Dr. Grote does.
Thank you for taking care of Tango, you are an angel.

My cat, miss Kitty, was starving to death due to a condition called mega-​esophagus. After trying to keep her as comfortable as possible for about a year, one morning I knew that her end was near. Plain and simple: she was suffering. I reached out to Dr. Grote via his
website so I could try to bring her to a peaceful end. After a phone consultation, Dr. Grote arrived at my residence. He is both kind and soft-​spoken and genuinely cares about animals. He made a concerted effort to make sure that my beloved companion was kept as calm and comfortable as possible during the end of her life. The in-​home euthanasia process Dr. Grote used was far easier on my wife, myself and my beloved cat than making a trip to the animal hospital to achieve the same result could be. I thank Dr. Grote for helping me give Miss Kitty a calm, peaceful passing without needless suffering.