Pet Undertaker

Wonder_Girl

I let the vet recommend a crematorium when my baby George died last June, they picked him up and returned him to our door in a lovely box with a brass plate engraved with his name, wasn’t the cheapest option but I wouldn’t have it any other way. He is currently in my wardrobe where I can see him every day when I get dressed.

Every member of my family has strict instructions that when I die George will be placed in my coffin. He was my shadow for 13 years and spent every second with me.

LuciferTDark

Anyone with more than one animal can you tell me if you had trouble settling the other animals when one passed away?

Till last year we had 2 cats & 2 dogs, lost 1 of the cats & until we got her ashes back the other cat just wouldn't settle, crying all night every night & charging up & down the stairs constantly during the day.

Soon as we had the ashes back & put the casket on a shelf under the stairs above where he sleeps he settled down & went back to his normal lazy self. Has anyone else had this reaction from their pets?

Pet_Undertaker

Hi LuciferTDark
It is very common for a surviving pet to have trouble settling when their companion dies, assuming that they were close, some pets wont miss an animal companion if they werent 'friends'. Pets dont grieve in the same manner as humans, but they do grieve in their own way. Our pets cope better if they see their companion is deceased. Pets do understand death and their grieving is generally shorter lived than the situation where a pet is just taken away and the other pet doesnt know why. When a pet is 'grieving' for their companion it is important not to endorse their behaviour by giving them too much additional attention or treats, to make them feel better. The pet will assume that they are behaving in the correct manner and this type of behaviour pattern is very difficult to break once a pet is in it.
On our website there is a section called Denzils story and it sounds very much like what you experienced with your own cat.
hope this is of some help to you.
Dawn - Pet Undertaker - Scotland

highlander1266

When my wee lassie had to be put to sleep I used the pet undertaker in Scotland her name was Dawn. I phoned her the day I had to do the dreaded deed. Dawn was waiting outside once my lass was put to sleep. She then returned the ashes to me the same day and spent time with me just talking. I paid her £5.00 over the bill and she advised me that she would give this to a charity, I thought aye right no chance. But a couple of weeks later I recived a letter from the greyhound charity thanking me for the donation. I would say the petundertaker is 100% genuine and I would use her again and have recommended her to others

lowis

so sorry for your loss...i had to put my cat Stormie to sleep 2 months ago and the pain is still there. many people here know how you feel and send you many hugs.

i had the vet come to my house and see Stormie on her way, and then he left us with Stormie for a few hours so her litter-mate (brother) could spend time with her body. he washed her all over and sat by her for a full two hours. it definitely helped him - he did call for her (still does), but not as badly as he did when she 'disappeared' to the vets about 18 months ago for an 8 day stay. he was visibly depressed when that happened, he would pace and wail with his head hung low. this didn't happen when she passed away - i can only assume he understood she was gone for good.

my vet arranged the collection of storm's body from my house by one of the nurse's, then Storm was taken to the practice to await collection the next day by the Crematorium. i used Cambridge Pet Crematorium, i had an individual cremation and I attended it so i could say goodbye to her one last time. i took along my own casket for her ashes and CPC were happy to use that instead of the ones they sell. whilst i waited for Storm's ashes I spent a few hours in the beautiful Gardens of Rememberance there.

my remaining cat has become so much more clingy and vocal since Storm passed away and because i work he spends 9/10hrs a day alone - i am now looking for a friend for him, one of the same age. not sure that i am personally ready for another cat as i still miss my Stormie so much - but i am not doing this for me.

ZootHornRollo

i still miss Cindy. Despite having two other dogs who we love very much. And reading this thread again has very nearly got a tear in my eye. I have never felt like this from the loss of a human family member.

I don't know if that says more about me or my relatives.

ailuro2

It says more about how wonderful our pets are, they love us in return for a bit of food and a safe place to sleep, yet they never give us a hard time for not filling up the dishwasher or mowing the lawn!!