MMD: Should I let them bury the dog?

johnfwoods

Yes, but in a box that you can dig up and return if they fail to complete the purchase. They do the digging and the removal.

aliasojo

jazimews wrote: »

If they love their pet that much they would have it cremated and then bring the urn containing the ashes with them once they have moved in.

Really. No room for personal decisions then. That's what they would do if they loved their pet that much? Clearly these people can't love their animal all that much then. *banned smilie required here*

OP, personally I would explain that you would be willing to accomodate their request but would require some sort of safeguard should the deal fall through for whatever reason. A refundable 'deposit' as mentioned above might be the way to go? I would feel the buyers were very serious but I would want to cover myself for cost of exhumation and repair landscaping work should the worst happen. If they are that serious, they would understand this.

sparklymessygirl

As someone who lost a pet in the last month I'd like to ask for a bit of sensitivity from those replying. No doubt many in the same situation will read these comments.

Sparkly

florabell

I used to work for an estate agent and we often had sales fall through at the last minute prior to exchange of contracts (something unexpected in the survey report, they've changed their mind, the can't get a mortgage, they've seen something better) so I would say no, unless contracts have been exchanged, but even then there is a very small chance the sale does not complete (rare but not unheard of). The safe option is to say no until the sale has completed.

My mother-in-law's cat died in the cattery whilst they were on holiday and poor Noodle was frozen until they came back to collect her. Perhaps their vet could suggest a cold storage facility?

AndyRen_2

I don't understand why this is a dilemma - what's the risk if it all falls through? You're left with a huge buried dog in your garden - so what? Assuming you're not sentimental about that - and why should you be, it wasn't your dog - what's the problem? As long as it doesn't leave a huge mound (#24) you could still grow flowers/veg over the top, so there's no harm in taking the risk. It's already been established that it's not illegal.

mookie77

Shurely letting them bury the dog would virtually guarantee they'll complete on the deal? What's the problem of having a dog buried in your garden anyway, once it's down there you wouldn't even know it's there.
You've got to laugh at the person who said its illegal to bury your pets - that must be one of the most frequently broken laws in the country then!
Perhaps suggest they keep the dog in the freezer until they move in.

lisawood78

I can't answer this one, I own two Great Danes and I wouldn't want to leave them behind either, not with the grief so raw so can't answer this one sensibly.

Shrewdmoneysaver

I would say no and suggest cremation. I have had a number of sales and purchases fall through over the years.
As a matter of interest I once rented a house where a previous owner had buried their dog. The garden was continually wrecked by a local fox or similar trying to dig down to it. Burial needs to be deep.

florabell

AndyRen wrote: »

I don't understand why this is a dilemma - what's the risk if it all falls through? You're left with a huge buried dog in your garden - so what? Assuming you're not sentimental about that - and why should you be, it wasn't your dog - what's the problem? As long as it doesn't leave a huge mound (#24) you could still grow flowers/veg over the top, so there's no harm in taking the risk. It's already been established that it's not illegal.

Bit off-putting for any other prospective buyers, I would have thought, having a newly decomposing dog in your garden ......

Errata

sparklymessygirl wrote: »

As someone who lost a pet in the last month I'd like to ask for a bit of sensitivity from those replying. No doubt many in the same situation will read these comments.

Sparkly

I'm sure they will, alongside many who may have puzzled over this situation in another place.