Dealing with the Remains

[Lauri & The Gang]

If you've never had a pet die you might not know your options. I thought I'd list them here.

#1 - Private burial at home

This is done by you on your own property. Keep in mind the more residential the location the more likely it will be against the rules to bury a pet on your property. Also, it brings up the question of what to do if you move?

#2 - Burial in pet cemetery

This would be done by you. There are many pet cemeteries located around the US and even some human cemeteries have pet sections.

#3 - Private Cremation

This can be done either through your vet or you. The cremation facility will clean out the oven between cremations so you are sure you are getting YOUR pets ashes back.

If you do not specify what you want done with the remains the vet will decide for you. Their choices are:

1. Mass cremation
2. Picked up by rendering plants
3. Dumped in local landfills

When I had my girl Tessa cremated I went onto Ebay and found an asian urn with a top. It was just right and much less expensive than the ones specifically made for pets ashes. I had my husband glue the top on.

Riggs will be buried in our field with a couple tennis balls.

[gagsd]

This is a topic I did not want to deal with and one of the reasons I put off the decision of humanely euthanizing my best furry buddy of 14 years.
I am lucky that my family owns acreage that will stay in the family for the forseeable future. We decided to mark off an area for the family pets.
On a darker note, it took forever to dig a hole big enough for my Cobi (50 pounds) and I do not look forward to loosing my larger dogs.
Mary

[3K9Mom]

For those who have opted for private cremation, and have ashes to deal with, I found these folks very helpful, and they return emails pretty much around the clock:

http://www.bestfriendservices.com/commerce/index.jsp

They don't just sell urns, but a whole host of stuff, including engraved plaques suitable for outdoors/gardens.

Costco sells pet urns as well for $35-80.

http://www.costco.com Then enter "pet urn" into the search box. Actually, their human urns are worth searching too and not too expensive.

[kasbn]

As some of you know, I put my dog to rest last week.

My original plan was to take his ashes to the pond and let them go. He could chase the ducks. And when I come and leave the house, I would be able to "see" him running.

Since I picked the ashes up yesterday, I have maybe changed my mind. I think I might want to keep them with me. The best way to say it is...he was my dog. And he should be with me.

That is just me.

I told my hubby, that since Bear loved to ride in the car, that I just might want to take him for a ride occasionally.

Wasn't sure what kind of container they would be returned to me in. Nothing fancy, just a black plastic type box. With my name and the date of cremation written on it. It is a bit heavy. I thought maybe a metal box in there. Or maybe the weight of the dog. Not sure.

Does anyone know this type of box? I was wondering, if you open the black plastic box, is there another type of container in there. Does that container hold the ashes?

Or do you just open the black plastic box and the ashes are right there?


Kathy

[Skye'sMom]

Kathy;

When I received my late Seiko's cremains about 6 years ago, they were in a clear plastic bag that was sealed, the bag was in a plastic container and that was in a blue velvet sack.

Moe recently I've lost both a cat and dog. The funeral service I use now has a carved wooden box instead of the plastic container and the velvet bag. They are beautiful and even have an engraved name tag.

My cat's box is relatively light, my gsp heavier and my late gsdx even more so. All heavier than I would have thought.

I too thought I would scatter the ashes some place my animals really loved. I have not been able to do that - I don't know why. Maybe it is too final.

If you decide not to scatter Bear's ashes, you may want to look for a pretty box for him. Don't worry - the ashes will not just be loose in the container. I actually felt better when I saw the fine, clean sandy ashes.

[middleofnowhere]

Kathy,
The ones I got back were in a plastic bag inside the box. The first dog I had cremated has had her ashes scattered several places (a river where she loved to swim, the fence line where she went to meet my neighbor, her favorite place to rest in the yard, by another dog's grave so he wouldn't be alone (he hated to be alone)) and I still have some with me 10 years later. Some will go in the Pacific Ocean one of these days. The second fellow is still with me. I know I will be moving and I don't want to leave him here. Both dogs' ashes are in a Big Sky GSD Puppy cookie jar. I thought it was the perfect urn. I've picked up a different GSD cookie jar that I am holding for a future urn. I got the first cookie jar on ebay, the second at Tuesday Morning.
Do what's right for you with this dog. It will be the right thing.

[3K9Mom]

Someone here said a while ago that they will keep the ashes of all their beloved pets. When they die, they have it in their instructions that their own ashes are to be scattered along with the ashes of their pets' ashes. They lived with their animals. They want to go out the same way.

Since reading that, I have made the same arrangements. Grover's urn sits unobtrusively on the shelf with my native American vases and pots. You'd never even know it's there (but I do). I know that over time, unfortunately, she'll be joined by others who share my life. When Dh and I leave the earth, we'll be scattered in a National Park that we backpacked into many times and loved passionately. All of the information of how to obtain the permits is in our instructions. It seems fitting that where we lived together is where we'll rest together.

I don't know who made that suggestion, but I'll always appreciate their wisdom. I wish I had thought of it myself, before I made other arrangements for my other dogs who died before then. That's why I mention it now.

[Cassidy's Mom]

We don't have any particular arrangements (need to do that!), but Sneaker's, Cassidy's, and Punkin's (my kitty) ashes are on the bookcase in the family room. I decided long ago that they would either be scattered with ours, or if possible, even re-cremated with us. Not sure if that can be done though.

Sneaker and Cassidy would go with Tom, Punkin with me, and I suppose he would also get Dena and I'd get Keefer.

[MaineLady]

Originally Posted By: 3K9MomFor those who have opted for private cremation,
<part of the post snipped out>

Costco sells pet urns as well for $35-80.

http://www.costco.com Then enter "pet urn" into the search box. Actually, their human urns are worth searching too and not too expensive.

I have a dog that just turned 14 on the 4th of July, and she has mammory growths. I am not having a biopsy done, as I wouldn't put her through surgery at her age no matter what is found.

I looked at the urns at Costco and found that they won't ship them to some states (including Maine). Anyone know why? This is what it says on the site

C"urrently, Urns and Keepsakes can only be purchased from and shipped to addresses in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming."

[srfd44-2]

The urns that both of my shepherds are in were homemade by my husband's uncle. Both are made out of oak and a picture of a shepherd is on the front of each with their names. Uncle Yen is very dear to us and I am glad I have something he made to hold my cherished pets and for me to cherish.