How Love, Baxter Is Changing the Way We Say Goodbye to Our Pets
A Honest Conversation About End of Life Pet Care
Earlier today, I spoke with Adam Greenbaum—the founder of Love, Baxter, the largest end-of-life pet care platform. We talked about grief, legacy, and the many ways we try to hold on when it’s time to let go.
But it was one sentence Adam said that hit me:
“I just wish someone had told me sooner what was possible.”
Last October, Adam said goodbye to his dog Baxter. In the fog of heartbreak, he was overwhelmed with questions & decisions that had to be made quickly, while holding his dog moments after euthanasia, and with very little guidance or preparation.
He didn’t know there were multiple cremation options, so he went with the first suggestion.
He didn’t know you could preserve a paw print or nose print and now those are lost forever.
And he didn’t know how much he’d later long for a photo—just a family image of Baxter with his family: Adam, his wife, their other Boston Terrier Sophie, and cat Nala. A photo he wished he would have planned for a few months before when Baxter first started getting sick.
Why Love, Baxter Exists
Adam built Love, Baxter to make sure no one else has to walk that road without a map. It’s a space where pet parents can explore their options long before the moment comes—when their animal is still comfortable, still enjoying treats, still very much present. His experience is exactly why he created Love, Baxter: to help pet parents navigate end-of-life decisions with compassion, clarity, and dignity.
Love, Baxter connects people to compassionate resources like:
In-home euthanasia services
Pet death doulas
Cremation support
Memorial product creators
End-of-life pet photographers (like me)
But more than anything, it gives families permission to talk about what’s coming—and how they want to remember it.
As someone who’s dedicated my life to honoring the bond between animals and their people, our conversation reaffirmed something I deeply believe:
The time to plan isn’t when it’s too late. The time is now—while there’s still tail wags and treat crumbs and sunshine naps on the porch.
End-of-Life Pet Photography Isn’t Just About Saying Goodbye
As someone who’s photographed many dogs and horses in their final seasons of life, I want to say this clearly:
End-of-life sessions are not about capturing decline.
They’re about celebrating presence.
They’re about honoring the quiet moments that still matter deeply.
They are a love letter to your dog - a way to physically show how much your dog means to you.
These sessions are slow, patient, and tailored to your animal’s pace and comfort. They’re held with reverence, not rush. And they’re crafted so that the resulting artwork becomes more than a photo—it becomes a tether. A way to revisit the love you’ve shared.
If You’re Wondering When the Time Is—This Might Be It
Adam said he wished someone had encouraged him to schedule that family portrait a little earlier—when Baxter was still doing okay. Still snuggling close. Still greeting him at the door. Still being a stubborn Boston Terrier.
I hear this often.
If your dog is in their final season—maybe slowing down, but still enjoying their favorite spots and routines—now can be the perfect time to create artwork that celebrates them fully alive.
Because when the moment comes to say goodbye, you shouldn’t be left wishing someone had told you sooner what was possible.
Learn More About End-of-Life Pet Portrait Sessions
If you're curious what these sessions look like, or you're not sure where to begin, I invite you to explore more about how I guide families through this tender chapter:
