My pets are very dear to me.

this is how I deal with it.

As a child my parents always buried them in the back yard. When we moved I wanted to dig them up and take them with me. Of course the answer was NO!

When I grew up, moved out, and had pets of my own, I vowed NEVER to bury them in the yard in which I lived.

When the time had come, I was goven the options of taking the remains of my pet home with me to do what I wished (bury).Have them discard the remains, or have him cremated. They handed me a catolouge with many erns, boxes and trinkets.
I opted for the box with my animals name and span of life were engraved. Its very classy box.I asked the Vet to have him cremated.
A week later I had my pets remains, the box was beautiful. The place in which they cremated my pet sent along a pet death cert, and a sympathy card. VERY WELL DONE!

Im not sure what you would do with the remains of your best friend, but with the 1st ever, I placed the remains in the flower box of my mothers grave.
My mother loved my now departed pet. I can bet she would have agreed to do what I did. When I visit my mothers plot, I also visit my best friends as well.

I kept the box with my best friends collar,leash and fav toy. Ill keep the boxes for ever!


I hope that my story helps with your decision.

Best wishes,
Cinnamon

our cat.....

Re: Don't know what to do

Sorry to hear about your cat.  My dog is getting up in years also and I am going to be facing the same problem that you are going through right now.  For me cremation would be the option so that I can spread his remains where he was most happy and that is the backyard.  I would hate to think that if I bury him in the backyard, the new homeowners would one day dig him up and disturb his peace.  You might also want to look at a pet cemetary.  They are costly.

creamation sounds icky but so are worms. Ashes can be spread in favorite or beautiful places. Maybe the ashes can nourish a rose bush or newly planted tree.

See the Lion King for the whole "Circle of Life" thing.

We've always cremated our cats when they die. That's not to say we didn't love them. They live fondly in our memory. It's how they're treated in life that matters, not how they're treated in death. Know that while they were alive that they weren't abused and that they had a good life. We also immediately get another cat which helps us move on---not to forget or to replace--just to replace pain with love.

Pets are so Awesome and they give us...

so much unconditional Love....I had a dog (Jessee) for 15 years...he was a Black Lab/Shepard mix...the hardest day of my Life was the day I put him down...my vet was really cool...she met us at our favorite park and I was there with him and it was an amazing experience...I had him cremated...and she delivered his ashes to me in a Red Heart shaped container with the words "Forever in my Heart" on it...I spread his ashes at all the special places we use to go to...and then bought an urn and kept some....I have a shelve that is dedicated to him...with his photo/collar/bandana on it...they give us all the Love they have to give, and then one day they leave us...with a rainbow of Happy Memories....here is a poem I would like to share to All those who have lost a pet:

Do Not stand at my grave and weep
I am Not there
I do Not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow
I am the sunlight on the ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn's rain
 when You awaken in the morning hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
 of quiet birds in circled flight
I am the soft stars
 that shine at night
Do Not stand at my grave and cry
I am Not there
I did Not die


Thinking of You during this difficult time...which ever choice You make...it Will be the right choice for You

see your pussy and help you make a decision.

AC (sent you a PM)

when our vet put down our dog last summer, they took a paw print on a very nice memory card, and gave it to us

It was nice enuf to frame had we wanted to

p-bee

I have experienced these thoughts also but now I have a few urns which I hope to turn into diamonds.
Ashes, from what I have been told are carbon and they can be turned into diamonds not fake but real.
I know people do it with people's ashes too.

I've had four dogs all of whom we cremated after they passed. We bought a special tree after the first one passed away and buried him under it and subsequently the other three. It remains a very special place to go visit.