Paws for Talk

18/04/2026

Come and visit me @ Bunnings Ballarat.
I am meeting all the doggos and loving it!

The team have some cat gift bags to give away..run dont walk.
🐶🐱

15/04/2026

To all my incredible vet nurse people ❤️
I would love to see you there.
These events are such a beautiful opportunity to connect, learn, and support one another in the work we do every day.
The team at Ballarat Veterinary Practice work hard to provide a safe space to learn and connect at this event. Take a day for you!

If you’re attending, please come and say hello… it would mean so much to share some time together. A reunion is long overdue!!
❤️
Nikki

Vet nurses, this one’s for you 💙 Registrations are now open

Registrations are now open for the 3rd Annual Ballarat Veterinary Nursing Conference 🐾🎓

Join us for a full day of learning, skill-building, and connection with fellow veterinary professionals 🤝

📅 Saturday 11th July
⏰ 8:30am – 5:30pm
📍 Ballarat & District Trotting Club, Redan

This year’s program brings together practical workshops and educational sessions, including:
🧠 Mental health in the veterinary industry
🚑 Triage & critical care
🐕 Physiotherapy
💬 Empowering veterinary nurses

Hands-on workshops include:
🩺 Surgical nursing skills
🦷 Dental scale & grading
❤️ CPR bootcamp
⚖️ Nurse weight clinics
🩹 Wound care & bandaging
🌿 Dermatology
🦠 Zoonotic case discussions
✨ And more

Whether you're building confidence, refining your clinical skills, or reconnecting with peers in the industry — this conference is designed for you 💙

👉 Learn more about the conference:
🌐 [https://bvp.com.au/veterinary-nursing-conference/]

👉 Secure your spot now:
🎟️ [https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1562620]

⚠️ Spots are limited, and workshop sessions are capped — we recommend booking early to secure your preferred sessions.

13/04/2026

I know you're hurting❤️

10/04/2026

As the seasons change, you may start noticing subtle shifts in your pet’s comfort and mobility. Is it as simple as adding a warm coat or extra bedding to ease stiff, arthritic joints? or is it time to look more closely at their overall quality of life?
A Quality of Life Assessment with Nikki from Paws for Talk can help you establish a clear baseline today, giving you guidance and confidence for the decisions ahead.
If you’re feeling concerned about your beloved companion, support is here. Visit pswsfortalk.com.au for more information. 🐾

06/04/2026

What do you miss the most since they’ve been gone? 🐾
For many, it’s the big things… the cuddles, the greetings, the companionship.
But often, it’s the little everyday moments that catch us off guard.

05/04/2026

When we farewell a beloved pet, we don’t lose just one relationship.
We lose the one who comforted us, listened to us, walked beside us and loved us without conditions.
No wonder it hurts so much.

31/03/2026

Have you ever looked up at the sky — maybe for you it’s the direction of heaven when you are missing someone and suddenly the clouds seem to form the outline of someone you love and miss.
For a moment, your heart skips.
It feels like a hello.
A reminder.
A presence.
Maybe it’s coincidence.
Maybe it’s our grief looking for connection.
Or maybe love is powerful enough to find little ways to reach us when we need it most.
Either way, those moments can feel incredibly comforting — like we are not as alone as we sometimes feel.
I believe......
Love doesn’t end when a life does. It just changes form.

29/03/2026

Sometimes I wonder if our pets know just how much they changed our lives.

They arrive as a small part of our world, but somehow they become our whole world. They teach us routine, patience, laughter, and a kind of love that asks for nothing except our presence.
And then one day, they leave… and they take a piece of our heart with them.

But I also believe they leave something behind.
They leave gentleness. They leave memories. They leave love that doesn’t go away.
So maybe they don’t ever really leave us at all.

12/03/2026

Over three decades ago when I first began supporting pet guardians through the grief of losing a beloved pet companion, many people thought it was a a little strange.
Pet loss wasn’t widely spoken about, and the depth of that grief was often misunderstood.
To see the awareness, compassion and understanding around pet loss grow over the years truly warms my heart.
Last year I was introduced to .for.pets who in turn introduced me to . Together we are able to offer a more holistic layer of care to pet guardians navigating one of the most difficult chapters of loving an animal.
Alongside the many wonderful veterinary clinics we work with, it really does take a team to support both pets and the humans who love them.
Thank you and .for.pets for all that you do.

11/03/2026

My advice is often..kick of your shoes and walk in the grass when safe to do so.

One thing that has surprised me over the years of working in pet loss support is how many men quietly carry very deep grief after the loss of a beloved pet.

Sometimes they arrive a little reluctantly. In fact, a few have jokingly admitted, ‘My wife made me come to see you.’ They often sit down determined to show they’re fine and that they don’t really need support.

Often they come into the conversation a little hesitant. Sometimes they say things like, ‘I didn’t realise how much this would affect me’ or ‘I feel silly being this upset over a dog or cat.’

But what unfolds is sometimes incredibly moving.

They talk about the early mornings together, the routines, the companionship, the loyalty, and the way their pet was there through life’s hardest moments. Many share that when their pet died, they lost a constant presence that had been beside them for years.

Men are often taught to stay strong and push through grief. Yet when given the space to speak openly, their love and heartbreak for their animals is profound.

Quite often those same men who didn’t think they needed support leave saying how helpful it was to finally talk about their pet and their grief.

It is always a privilege to witness that honesty and vulnerability.

Grief for a beloved animal is real. It deserves to be spoken about, honoured, and supported for everyone.

09/03/2026

Facing the impending loss of a beloved pet is incredibly hard for families, and children often feel this grief deeply. As adults, we sometimes want to protect them from pain, but including them in the process can actually help them understand and cope with what is happening.
When a pet is nearing the end of their life, honest and gentle conversations can make a big difference. Children benefit from clear language that helps them understand that their pet is very sick or very old and that their body is no longer able to keep going. Avoiding confusing phrases like ‘going to sleep’ can help prevent misunderstandings or fears.
Some ways to support children during this time include:
• Let them ask questions and answer honestly in age-appropriate ways
• Encourage them to spend special time with their pet if they wish
• Invite them to share memories, draw pictures, or write a letter to their pet
• Reassure them that sadness, anger, or even not wanting to talk are all normal feelings
• Allow them to be involved in goodbye rituals if appropriate
Children often take their emotional cues from the adults around them. When they see that it’s okay to feel sad and talk about their pet, they learn that grief is a natural part of loving someone.
Our pets are often a child’s first experience of loss. With support, compassion, and open conversation, this difficult time can also become a moment of deep love, connection, and meaningful goodbye.
If your family is facing the heartbreaking reality of saying goodbye to a beloved pet, please know you are not alone.

08/03/2026

Sometimes the hardest part of loving a pet is watching them grow older or become unwell. 💔🐾

Many pet guardians quietly carry the weight of questions like
‘Are they still enjoying life?’
‘Am I making the right decisions for them?’
‘How will I know when it’s time?’
These questions can feel incredibly heavy to hold alone.

My book ‘Fur the Broken Hearted’ was written to gently support pet guardians during these moments. Inside, you’ll find guidance, compassion, and a quality of life assessment to help you thoughtfully reflect on your pet’s wellbeing.
It’s not about rushing decisions.
It’s about feeling supported, informed, and less alone while loving your pet through this stage of life.
If you’re caring for an aging or unwell pet, this little book may help you navigate the path ahead with clarity and kindness. 🤍

🐾 You don’t have to carry this alone.
qualityoflife furthebrokenhearted petparents pawsfortalk petbereavement