In this episode, we sit down for a gentle and deeply honest conversation with Coeli Fortun, a pet photographer and certified pet nutrition coach, as she shares what it was like to care for her senior dog, Manolo, through decline, and what it meant to give him his last best day.

Together, we talk about the bond we build with our pets over a lifetime, the role nutrition and supportive care can play as they age, and the long, emotional road that leads to end-of-life decisions. Chelly opens up about grief, judgment, and the quiet relief that can coexist with loss, and why community matters so much during these moments.

This episode is for anyone loving a senior pet, grieving one they’ve lost, or navigating the question no one prepares you for. You’re not alone, and you don’t have to go through it without compassion or support.

Guest Bio:

Coeli (Chelly) Fortun is a Toronto-based photographer and certified pet nutrition coach whose work centers on documenting the deep bond between pets and their humans. After caring for her Shih Tzu, Manolo (15 y.o), through three years of senior decline (including canine dementia, degenerative myelopathy, and arthritis) and her cat Snuffles (20y.o), through cancer, she began sharing their stories openly and found comfort in the community that formed around them.

Takeaways:

1. Chelly's journey into pet photography began with her own pets.
2. The emotional bond between pets and their humans is profound.
3. Nutrition plays a crucial role in the health of senior pets.
4. Creating lasting memories with pets is essential for pet parents.
5. Euthanasia is a compassionate choice, not a sign of giving up.
6. Grief is a complex and non-linear process for pet parents.
7. Community support is vital during the grieving process.
8. It's important to seek out others who understand your experience.
9. Documenting both good and bad days can be therapeutic.
10. Cherishing the last moments with pets can bring peace.

Relevant links mentioned in the episode:

1. Coeli Fortun, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok
2. Manolo last best day video
3. Review the podcast on Podchaser
4. Sign up to our Tails and Tones newsletter here
5. Sign up to our Tails and Tones waiting list for our first product (Elevated Food System) here
6. Find Tails and Tones on our socials: Instagram / Facebook / TikTok / LinkedIn / Website

Timestamps to relevant points within the episode:

[00:00]- Intro

[03:45]- Meet Chelly: Photographer, pet nutrition coach & senior pet advocate

[05:22]- How photographing her own pets changed everything

[07:27]- Why nutrition played a major role in extending her pets’ quality of life

[09:15]- “It’s not about fixing aging — it’s about supporting good days”

[12:24]- The story behind Manolo’s last-day video

[15:11]- Why the park, the sign, and strangers mattered so much

[16:06]- Turning grief into connection: sharing to help even one person feel less alone

[17:10]- Why end-of-life decisions are never “overnight”

[18:21]- Understanding canine dementia (and why no one talks about it)

[20:24]- The Quality of Life checklist that changed everything

[21:05]- “If they can’t do the dog things they love anymore…”

[23:37]- Sensory loss, fear, and what senior decline really looks like

[26:03]- How vets and specialists helped confirm it wasn’t “giving up”

[27:40]- Holding grief and relief at the same time

[29:25]- How to hold space for grief when the world doesn’t understand

[32:13]- Why community is everything during senior pet care

[35:16]- What to say to yourself when you feel exhausted, judged, or overwhelmed

[38:03]- “Euthanasia isn’t giving up — it’s compassion”

[42:04]- The moment Manolo showed them he was ready