is it right to preserve a pet after death? or freeze or keep the bones?
- Thread starter scottdancingale
- Start date
It is right to do what feels right to you. I had a cat that died while at the vets. I got the ashes back and walked into the hills to find a nice spot for him to be at peace near a little stream with a nice view. That worked for me. If you have him cremated and you want to keep him by you, then you could get a nice urn. They sell urns for pets on the internet now.
What would you do with bones though? Or a frozen body? You might find a lovely spot, in your garden or in a place you go from time to time and have a little ceremony. Whenever you visit you'll know your friend is in a good place. So sorry about your loss, it is hard to say goodbye.
What would you do with bones though? Or a frozen body? You might find a lovely spot, in your garden or in a place you go from time to time and have a little ceremony. Whenever you visit you'll know your friend is in a good place. So sorry about your loss, it is hard to say goodbye.
im thinking to buy a large freezer . the pet is ill now and im preparing but i cant come to terms yet. i thought of having the body stuffed but i m not comfortable with that .. but i am not prepared to let go.. how ever do you think that can be done by an undertaker? and is it against the law to keep the pet in one's home after it dies?
Then I guess who you need to talk to is a taxidermist. I doubt an undertaker could or would do that. If the job was done by a taxidermist I imagine they are following health and safety regulations which would mean there should be no problem. You should certainly ask that question of a legal advisor who lives in your area and check what license a taxidermist should have.
Before you go that route though, let me ask you something. You are obviously preparing for some heartbreak now. How would you feel in two or three years from now when you have come to terms with losing your dog (or cat). Maybe your life changes, it is time to move or your new partner does not love the stuffed remains as much as you do. How would you feel then about saying goodbye for a second time? I really don't mean to be harsh and I hope you do not take it that way, but it may be kinder on yourself to find a beautiful vase that you can keep ashes in or a beautiful spot where you know your friend is at peace and you can visit any time.
Another point. No matter how experienced the taxidermist, what are the chances he'll capture that look, that spirit, that spark, that made your dog special. Most ever instance of stuffed animals I've ever seen they look wooden and deader than dead. If you are going to do it, look at the man's work and get some recommendations.
Here's another idea. We have some spectacular artists on this forum. Look at the art thread. You might be better to hunt out some photos of your boy/girl in their prime and pay for a beautiful portrait.
If you decide to go the taxidermy route, then go for it. I know how hard it is to let go and whatever works for you, is right for you.
Before you go that route though, let me ask you something. You are obviously preparing for some heartbreak now. How would you feel in two or three years from now when you have come to terms with losing your dog (or cat). Maybe your life changes, it is time to move or your new partner does not love the stuffed remains as much as you do. How would you feel then about saying goodbye for a second time? I really don't mean to be harsh and I hope you do not take it that way, but it may be kinder on yourself to find a beautiful vase that you can keep ashes in or a beautiful spot where you know your friend is at peace and you can visit any time.
Another point. No matter how experienced the taxidermist, what are the chances he'll capture that look, that spirit, that spark, that made your dog special. Most ever instance of stuffed animals I've ever seen they look wooden and deader than dead. If you are going to do it, look at the man's work and get some recommendations.
Here's another idea. We have some spectacular artists on this forum. Look at the art thread. You might be better to hunt out some photos of your boy/girl in their prime and pay for a beautiful portrait.
If you decide to go the taxidermy route, then go for it. I know how hard it is to let go and whatever works for you, is right for you.
Undertakers embalm. Embalming only delays the inevitable for a short period, it does not preserve a body permanently. Taxidermy will leave you with the shell of your pet's skin and not much else. It is a seriously horrendous process, leaving you with nothing real but fur on a rock hard shell.
If you have a lot of money you can have your pet's DNA stored for cloning. Yup, they do that now. Beyond that, you don't have many choices.
I've been where you are and it's very heart wrenching. It becomes hard to think rationally. But preserving your pet's body will not mean your pet is there with you. Placing him in a freezer is certainly not going to keep him with you. I suggest you cremate your pet. Have the ashes placed in a lovely urn and find a place of honor for him. For me, this has always been a peaceful solution.
If you have a lot of money you can have your pet's DNA stored for cloning. Yup, they do that now. Beyond that, you don't have many choices.
I've been where you are and it's very heart wrenching. It becomes hard to think rationally. But preserving your pet's body will not mean your pet is there with you. Placing him in a freezer is certainly not going to keep him with you. I suggest you cremate your pet. Have the ashes placed in a lovely urn and find a place of honor for him. For me, this has always been a peaceful solution.
Yeah the idea of looking at my dog's dead body year after year would make me very depressed, he would look well... dead and I would never be able to Put the pain behind me. My dad is a carpenter and he built our dog a casket, then my uncle used a back hoe to dig him a grave and we buried him in the front yard. I plan on planting a garden around it and getting a tombstone with his name on it. Maybe you can try something like that. Whatever you choose I'm very sorry about your dog.
im grateful for all the suggestions. i know it sounds terrible and psychotic that i cant let go and i pray im wont have another breakdown like when i lost my other dog BoyGeorge and the cat Windy. i cannot imagine burying him, so lonely in the ground and im also uncomfortable with the preserving him as i think his eyes wont be the same. However, each year im getting older and feel i cannot cope with the heartache. the kids have left, the hubby has left and i really need my boy with me for a certain period before i decide what to do and eventually find some kind of closure. i still have a kitty left after Scott leaves and after that i swear i will never have a pet again. Please bear with me if you see me posting again.
Honey
You post as much as you want. Whatever works for you as I said before. I can't do the cold body in the ground either so ashes work for me. You scatter them in the wind and they are free, you know. You sound as if you've been through a lot and maybe this thing is not something you should face alone. Do you have a neighbour or friend that can be with you?
I see you are in Singapore. Well, you know the grave's in the hill thing there? Finding a spot, looking out to sea. Feng Shui starting with orienting burial sites. You look into that and if you don't want to cremate, then clean the bones and prepare for a Feng Shui funeral. The time researching that will help you prepare to say goodbye. You might need a ritual and you will need a place to go. You do not need to have your dead pet frozen in your freezer.
I will look out for you posting again. Never aplogise for feeling pain for your animals. We all understand that here.
You post as much as you want. Whatever works for you as I said before. I can't do the cold body in the ground either so ashes work for me. You scatter them in the wind and they are free, you know. You sound as if you've been through a lot and maybe this thing is not something you should face alone. Do you have a neighbour or friend that can be with you?
I see you are in Singapore. Well, you know the grave's in the hill thing there? Finding a spot, looking out to sea. Feng Shui starting with orienting burial sites. You look into that and if you don't want to cremate, then clean the bones and prepare for a Feng Shui funeral. The time researching that will help you prepare to say goodbye. You might need a ritual and you will need a place to go. You do not need to have your dead pet frozen in your freezer.
I will look out for you posting again. Never aplogise for feeling pain for your animals. We all understand that here.
yes, im miserable and heartbroken every minute of every day. im alone in this house, just me and scott and the kitty and some strays that the neighbours abandoned when they moved to the condos.scott is lying in the bedroom . peeing and shitting . i just cleaned up after him.. and washing towels nonstop. and cleaning the tumours. i feel like im going crazy.
Yes...we all feel your pain . Please put the freezing thought aside .!! I know they never look the same after death and your pain will continue . Cremation is the only way I'll go ..... some ashes strewn in special places , some next to my bed and some already waiting for mine to join them in my final resting area. If you want to save a more tangible part of him ....save the hair from brushing and have it spun and knitted into something .
I believe there was an episode of Animal Precinct where a guy kept his dead pets in a freezer - they siezed the rest of his animals and basically labeled him as mentally insane. It was pretty gruesome, some of the cats had been in there for years... it was like a horror movie. Even frozen , flesh decays, bodily fluids will seep out, etc.
I don't think I could put my pets in a freezer - I want to remember them happy, healthy, full of life and spirit. I think seeing them in a state of decay would shatter my "last impressions" of them.
Mine will be cremated - what I'll do with the ashes , I'm not sure yet. But I cannot bury them, as I want them with me always - andeven now, Ilsa doesn't like being outside for very long...
I don't think I could put my pets in a freezer - I want to remember them happy, healthy, full of life and spirit. I think seeing them in a state of decay would shatter my "last impressions" of them.
Mine will be cremated - what I'll do with the ashes , I'm not sure yet. But I cannot bury them, as I want them with me always - andeven now, Ilsa doesn't like being outside for very long...
yes i would like his ashes with mine when i go . same for my kitty. that way we'll be together forever and that way, they'll never be lonely. i've also been reminding scott to get his mommy's name correct when he asks for me at St Peter's gates to heaven ( it's esther ng kay mei , i told him and not esther ng kah mui , like the nurses often mispronounce it at the polyclinics)and that when he gets in , he is not to wander into Queen Esther's beautiful garden , settle there comfortably and forget to look for mom's little hut by the edge of the fence where im going to be.
Tell us more about what is happening now? Have you seen the vet? How much longer do you think you have? Scott is your dog, right? You know where your plot is, if I am getting that right. Take a photo of your plot if you can't physically get him there. Lay it under his head when he goes. He'll know anyway where to find you, but it might make you feel better.
Start a thread about Scott. Not this one which is so very sad all about his expected death. Start a thread about his life. Tell us about him and share your photos and memories. We can't be there with you physically sweetie, but we are with you 100% in spirit and good wishes.
Really wish I could give you a real (((hug))).
Start a thread about Scott. Not this one which is so very sad all about his expected death. Start a thread about his life. Tell us about him and share your photos and memories. We can't be there with you physically sweetie, but we are with you 100% in spirit and good wishes.
Really wish I could give you a real (((hug))).
(((((((((((((((BIG HUG)))))))))))))))))
I'm so sorry- we all care and understand the true pain of the loss of a pet- post as much as you want.
My dogs who have passed are buried on a hill with trees and a peaceful setting. I'm pretty sure I want the rest of my beloved animals to be cremated- so I can keep them with me forever.
I so wish I could give you a real hug.
I'm so sorry- we all care and understand the true pain of the loss of a pet- post as much as you want.
My dogs who have passed are buried on a hill with trees and a peaceful setting. I'm pretty sure I want the rest of my beloved animals to be cremated- so I can keep them with me forever.
I so wish I could give you a real hug.
Scott is a golden retriever, born Dancingale Corale Cere imported from the Dancingale farm in melbourne, australia. He is the sweetest quietest dog in our street . the neighbourhood dogs bark indiscriminately at both friends and foes and altho scott's bark is strong and deep, he hardly barked his whole fifteen years. one time when he stood with front paws and barked over the garden wall, Mr lewis the man down the street said the other dogs were"teaching" scott "bad habits". when he was young, scott and my 2 kids would run round playing in the living room and sometimes the kids would step up on the sofa. when i yell " Enough!" , scott would stop immediately but it would take a minute or 2 or more,before the children get the message. scott's the most obedient dog ive ever had. when we first wanted to engage a dog trainer from the police force, the man came and after interviewing scott, he told me scott knew all the basic commands and he did not need obedience-training except if we wanted to put him up for studding or for dog shows. when i read the book Marley and I, i thought about writing one about scott too. his threshhold for pain is really high. he lies with his eyes open but he isnt asleep ( im not sure if it's because of the tumours) however he still manages to thump his tail when he hears my daughter coming back to visit, atho it must hurt cos there's where his tumours are. my heart is full of scott and altho its been 15 years, it seems like i've just had him yesterday. the chinese say one year with a beloved is like one second but one second with someone you dislike is like a thousand years on a hot stove.i have not had enough of scott. that's the power of love. he is very sweet and puppy like even through his illness. i really thank you all so much for your moral support , it means a lot, the vet cant say how long its going to be.. i hope i have have more time with him. im not sure if i can talk about him when he is gone. i have been unable to even look at pictures of my other pets who passed on. all the photo albums have been kept out of sight cos it breaks my heart so much.