Pet Undertaker

ZootHornRollo

Hi,

our dog, now 17 and a half years old, is going to the vet tomorrow and won't be coming home with us. it's taken us a long time to come to the decision that she really doesn't have the quality of life she deserves any more.

we are not sure what happend after she is put to sleep.

does the vet deal with her body? how much do they charge? can we get the ashes back?

would we be better to use a third party pet crematory?

this appears to be the only one in our area of scotland http://www.petundertaker.info/

has anyone used them before or similar services?

any advice appreciated.

orlao

Hi

Sorry about your dog

When I've had pets pts at the vets they tend to offer shared cremation (£30 for a cat) or individual cremation with the ashes returned (approx £120) and a casket is extra.

The other option is to bury her at home.....but that makes moving house a possible issue in the future.

I think the 3rd party undertakers will collect the dog from the vets, I've never used them but friends have had their pets collected to be buried in dedicated pet cemetaries.

Maybe you could ring both the vets and the undertakers and ask the questions before you go with the dog so you don't have to make an instant decision when you're already upset?

HTH

O x

SnowyOwl_2

What an awful decision to make, but it's the last act of love you can do for your doggy friend.

As Orlao says, I'd suggest calling the vet and asking them to arrange for your dog to be cremated, and for them to make the arrangements you want for the ashes. Then there is no fuss or awkwardness when you get there as you will surely be upset.

Maybe ask how much it will be too, then arrive with a cheque made out. Unless you have a good relationship with your vet, then perhaps they would be OK with you calling in on another day to settle up.

It's so upsetting, I've been through it too. I feel so sorry for you.

WeirdoMagnet

What a tough decision to make - like SnowyOwl says it's the last act of love you can do for your dog.

I was with a friend once when her dog was PTS, she was very old too. The vet came to the house, and afterwards made arrangements with the nearest pet crematorium to take the dog there immediatley. We popped the dog in the boot, a crematorium worker took her to a room where my friend could say her last goodbyes and she had an individual cremation, which meant that she only got her dogs ashes back. Of course, that must've carried an extra charge. She could've chosen a casket for the ashes, but they were all a bit naff and so I urged her to wait and get something she liked when she could think a bit clearer. She got the ashes back a day or so later.

If you are unable to take your dog, I have no doubt that your vet will arrange it for you.

I also found this one, but I'm sure your vet will be able to advise you.

Georgie

ZootHornRollo

well that was almost definately the hardest thing i have ever had to do.

she is gone.

i know its for the best but it's still hard.

our vet uses the cramatorium in your post goergina, so we are letting the vet take care of things.

thanks for your help everyone.

Pet_Undertaker

Please accept our sincere condolenses for the loss of your dog. I appreciate how difficult a decision this was for you to make, it is the ultimate sacrafice of love. It takes great courage and strength to do, and hopefully one day soon you will be able to look back and remember all the good times you shared together.

I have watched this thread with interest. My name is Dawn Murray and I am the Pet Undertaker.

ZootHornRollo

thanks dawn,

i called you this morning but decided to let the vet take care of everything, it was just easier for us.

we are already looking back with fond memories. she was very special to us and seventeen years is a lot of time to leave behind some great memories.

cheers,

babyangel10

Hi,

I just wanted to also say sorry for your loss.

I lost my beautiful collie, Tess 9 years ago at the age of 13 and was 'lucky' that I never had to make the PTS decision. She was due to be PTS on the Friday if things hadn't improved but passed away on the Thursday night at home.

I feel that it was her way of thanking me for her life, by not having to make me sign the consent form (IYSWIM?)

She is buried in my Nan's garden because I didn't have one at the time of her passing, and I visit her grave as often as I can. My nan is 86 though so I obviously won't be able to visit Tess' grave forever, which will be hard.

I have only just felt able to take another dog on - having felt like I would have been 'replacing' Tess before now (silly aren't I?!) and now (as of Sat just gone) have Sammy the mad GSH/Collie X!

But photos of Tess have pride of place all over the house and will always do so.

I hope you try to just remember the good times as much as possible and not get too upset.

All the best

Pet_Undertaker

It never gets any easier when you loose a beloved pet. Between us, my partner and I have grieved over 15 cats and dogs. At present we have 7 rescued dogs and 4 rescued cats, so we know we have a lot of heartache to face. We rescued a 20yr old cat only a two weeks ago and he is a real sweetheart.

I have updated my website as a result of what was written on the threads on this website and for that I thank you. x www.petundertaker.info

fletcher1985

we lost one of our collies last year and she was a big part of our family, she had a heart attack at home one morning and mum found her just before she went and sat with her which was great she wasnt on her own, so as she gave us so much love we had to get the ashes back i dont know the price we paid and i know mum would of paid anything for them we got a nice solid wood box with her name on it and the ashes inside, and we put her in the garden.

SkintSazzie

Ask your vet who they use/recommend?

We lost our last cat in August - he died at home. There is a Pet Crematorium near to us - I just took Seanie to the vets and the Crematorium collected him. He was cremated the next day and we got the choice of either a group cremation(cheapest), private cremation - ashes returned in cardboard box for scattering or burying, or ashes in a mahogany box with a brass plate. We chose the mahogany box - still not sure if I should scatter or bury him yet - it's still a bit raw. For now he is on the shelf inthe hall just above where he passed.

Service from both the Vets and the Crematorium was fantastic. I felt a bit daft at first - I've always been the 'its only an animal' sort of person - I'll never have that attitude again. It hurts!

Thinking of you x