Advice On Taxidermy Please

lisawood78

Both of mine that have passed have been cremated and their ashes stand on display in my lounge and I talk to them occasionally especially if I'm cleaning around them and stuff. The intention was to scatter them but I realised quite quickly that it made me happier to have them here and I don't actually think I could let them go. Taxidermy would never even cross my mind however, as other people have said their soul is in their eyes and to have them in the house cold and stiff and unmoving would break my heart all over again. Both of them lay in the house for an hour or so after passing before the cremation people came to collect them and towards the end of that time I could see and feel that they were gone, not my babies anymore. Their 'self' had left and just left their tired, frail bodies behind. Yes I stood and sobbed and they were carried away from me but for me it was the only choice.
Of course having 2 stuffed Great Danes around the house would also be ridiculously impractical.
It hope whatever you choose makes you happy OP.

krlyr

As an alternative, how about commissioning a stuffed toy version of your cat that could be put near the ashes? I agree that taxidermy animals do look a bit odd and soulless, it may be better to go for a likeness instead.

E.g. http://www.cuddleclones.com/

amersall

When a Friend of mine lost her dog, she bought a "Build a Bear" and put his ashes inside. A nice idea I thought, the Bear is lovely.

teddysmum

Angela Turner does some lovely pottery models ,but not of all breeds. She will paint the model with your pet's individual markings at no extra charge.

Laconic

A thought, worth what you're paying for it. If you see a taxidermist whose work you like the look of, why not ask for some referrals from people whose pets he or she has done? It's worth taking to them and seeing if they thought it worthwhile, even better if you can visit. It'd give you a better sense of if this is right for you -- it certainly is for some people.

MysteryMe

Funnily enough there was a Taxidermy stand at the Parrot Society Show today. The work was excellent, the birds were beautifully done.


I had considered it for my last parrot but glad I didn't. I collected his body from the Vet a few hours after he had died and looked at him and he was gone, it wasn't him anymore.


I have his ashes in a nice box with an inscription on the lid. I have some lovely photos of him but one thing I regret is not taking any video. Perhaps you could start doing that instead if you haven't already.

ali-t

I considered it for one of my dogs who was such a handsome fella but most of the places I found didn't do pets as it is so hard to capture personality and also as most pets either died from age or being ill that would be what was captured rather than the youthful happy pet that the owners remembered.

*zippy*

Someone on a dog forum posted they had a professional painting done before their dog passed and are so glad they did because they find great comfort in it. Just a thought as it might be a better way to capture their personality.

Our dog passed recently and is buried in her favourite spot in our back garden, it's early days, but I find it quite hard seeing the spot every time I go out there and wish I hadn't done it in such a prominent place, all our other small pets are at the back of the garden. I don't think I'd cope seeing her stuffed in the house, but we're all different, it's horrible losing a loved pet, so whatever gives you some comfort x

paddypaws101

Having been with 3 of my beloved cats when they were PTS I can conform that when the spirit leaves the body, the remains are nothing like the animal I loved.
Personally I would spend some money now and get a professional, or competent amateur, photographer to come to your house and take some really good shots of your cat alive and well and relaxed. Using a good camera and lens can really capture your cat and provide some wonderful memories.
I did also think about the 'ashes into glass' but never got round to it although I still think it is a lovely idea.

ripplyuk

I've spoken to a taxidermist near to me about getting my rabbit mounted when he dies. She does do pets if someone really wants it and quoted around £250 for a rabbit, but she strongly discourages it, and really tried to put me off. She said people are always disappointed with it. It's impossible to recreate what they really are wanting, which is the personality of their pet.

I think it's better suited to animals you like the look of, rather than ones you love.