What To Do When A Dear Pet Passes

[dancerbill]

Our little female Chihuahua is, we fear, passing through the last few days of her life journey. Her name is Mimi.

We are wondering -- what did some of you fellow TOTVers do with a pet that passed on? We don't feel comfortable just disposing of her, but don't know what alternatives are available.

We will appreciate all advice. This is an unbelievably sad situation that we are going through, and we just don't know what to do.

Bill

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Sorry to hear about your pet. It's never a pleasant experience when a pet passes.

You could consider seeking out a local funeral home that handles pet cremations. We've gone that route will all of our pets when they passed on. Our local funeral home here in OH does a real nice job with handling pet cremations - a very nice small container with the pet's ashes, a paw print, a clipping of hair, etc......all very tasteful.

Bill :)

[KathieI]

I'm so sorry for you problem, Dancerbill. My heart breaks for you. Are you here in TV? I have had about 8 of my pets pass on and both here and in Los Angeles, the procedure has been the same. I have had the vets take care of euthanizing them and then they have crematoriums for pets that take care of the remains and then they send them back to me in a very nice container of my choice. I write notes on the containers about the pet and then I have them in my linen closet all lined up on a shelf. I brought all these containers with me when i moved here to TV and since then I have had to put down 2 more of my dogs and the system was the same here.

If your pet is suffering, you may want to consider putting her down before she suffers any longer, you are actually doing her a service. Its the hardest thing I've had to do in my life, so I'm not saying its easy. Usually the vets are very accustomed to your anxiety and sad feelings and they are very helpful with the procedure.

I wish you well and again I am so sorry about MiMi... She was lucky to have loving parents like you.

[CaliforniaGirl]

I went through a similar situation a few months ago with my 19-year-old girl. Except for old age, she had no illness or disease. The vet said that I would know when it was time, and he was right. She lost her appetite first, then refused water. When I took her in, the vet said her organs were shutting down. I had her humanely euthanized and the vet took care of cremating her and returning the remains to me. It was a gut-wrenching experience, and I still tear up just thinking about it. I feel for what you are going through.
If you don't have a regular vet, I highly recommend Buffalo Ridge Animal Hospital. They are very caring, both for the pets and for their 2-legged best friends.
It goes without saying that if Mimi is in any obvious distress, please take her in immediately. There is no need for any pet to suffer.

[salpal]

Similar situation for us, had Buffalo Ridge handle putting our baby down and they made arrangements for cremations. We purchased a headstone and buried his ashes underneath in our yard

http://www.4everinmyheart.com

[MSNPA]

I am so sorry Bill. Two years ago this month we had our cat Ben euthanized. He was diagnosed with lung cancer and was suffering. I stii miss him. I highly recommend you start a journal about your life with Mimi. I started a journal after Ben died and it was a tremendous help. We did have Ben cremated and I have his ashes in a box along with the ashes of my two other beloved cats. It also helps to look at photos and recall all the great times.

[duffysmom]

Bill I'm sorry you have to say goodbye to Mimi and I empathize with you since I recently said goodbye to my beloved Duffy. I was given wonderful advice on these boards and contacted Dr. Angel Smith Healthy Pet The Mobile Vet - Veterinarian In Belleview, FL USA :: Home (http://www.tlcmobilevet.com/) who came to my home and helped us to let go of Duffy compassionately. He was in my arms the whole time and he didn't have the stress of being in the Vet's office which he hated. Please know that many of us have experienced the pain of losing our best friend and we send you lots of love. I'm sending you a PM about burial.

[Lynn L.]

Bill: So sorry for your heartfelt situtation. I experienced the same thing 1 month ago, had to put my little 16 yr old girl down, went to Paws Animal Hospital, could not ask for a nicer group of people. They take care of everything based upon your wishes. Most difficult thing I have done, I wish you well with however you proceed.

[asianthree]

Just went thru the same thing, its hard no matter what you do

[784caroline]

Definitely BAD news ...so Sorry to hear it.....its a loss only true pet owners will understand.

[dancerbill]

Mimi passed at 3:20 AM this morning. I was with her as she slipped away, and I hope that gave her some lasting love and peace to take with her into the next world.

I am very grateful for the kind words of advice and encouragement that many of you sent. I will probably have her cremated through Buffalo Ridge Animal Clinic since she has been a patient there since we moved to The Villages. Then, we plan to get a nice headstone for her and bury her ashes under the stone in the backyard that she loved so much.

Right now, there is a huge empty space inside me which I'm sure will get worse in the days and weeks to come when I expect to see her happy little face when I come home. I think I will follow MSNPA's advice and start writing a journal about our lives together and what she meant to us. Maybe, that will make her memory live on and bring some comfort to us -- to know that we had her for such a short time, but that she filled that time with love, joy, and companionship, and that she loved me more than any pet I've ever had.

I hope that the story of the Rainbow Bridge is true. I'm going to live the rest of my life believing in it and looking forward to the day that I see Mimi again.

Thanks so much for the words of sympathy and encouragement. Many of you are truly wonderful people.

[donkobes]

Starting a journal of the good memories with your pet is very good advice. It will aid getting through the grieving process.

[missypie]

If I were there I would give you a huge hug.

[DandyGirl]

Dancerbill, It is hard to lose a best friend and Mimi was a sweet girl. Peace be with you and V.

[mfp509]

I can empathize with you completely - went through this last November with my Missy (pictured on my posts). I took her to Buffalo Ridge and they handled everything with such compassion. She was cremated and I have her ashes in a container. As hard as it was to let go, knowing she was only going to get worse - I pushed all my feelings aside except my total love for her and helped her "cross the Rainbow Bridge".

[Pturner]

Dancerbill,
My heart is with you. Please take comfort in the knowledge that you and Mimi enriched each others lives and that she is now resting in peace.

[Schaumburger]

Dancerbill, I am sorry for your loss. Your love for Mimi is very apparent. She will be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge. Remember the good times you shared with her.

[Joaniesmom]

I am so very sorry for your loss. It never gets easier, every time a beloved pet passes away. Please know I understand how you feel as I have lost pets myself. I remember vividly once being bent over the front of my car in the parking lot of my vet's office, sobbing my heart out for the loss of my Miniature Schnauzer, Strudle. I thought I would never be happy again.

But, of course, I was. And you will. Not today or tomorrow. But you will.

Best wishes to you.

(Sorry about my silly autograph)

[PugLover]

Mimi passed at 3:20 AM this morning. I was with her as she slipped away, and I hope that gave her some lasting love and peace to take with her into the next world.

I am very grateful for the kind words of advice and encouragement that many of you sent. I will probably have her cremated through Buffalo Ridge Animal Clinic since she has been a patient there since we moved to The Villages. Then, we plan to get a nice headstone for her and bury her ashes under the stone in the backyard that she loved so much.

Right now, there is a huge empty space inside me which I'm sure will get worse in the days and weeks to come when I expect to see her happy little face when I come home. I think I will follow MSNPA's advice and start writing a journal about our lives together and what she meant to us. Maybe, that will make her memory live on and bring some comfort to us -- to know that we had her for such a short time, but that she filled that time with love, joy, and companionship, and that she loved me more than any pet I've ever had.

I hope that the story of the Rainbow Bridge is true. I'm going to live the rest of my life believing in it and looking forward to the day that I see Mimi again.

Thanks so much for the words of sympathy and encouragement. Many of you are truly wonderful people.

My sincere condolence to you. Having lost our two Pugs three months of each other last year, I know the sadness and emptiness you are going through.

What sustained us were the wonderful memories and love we still remember from our two babies and knowing they are no longer suffering. You will find Mimi one day at the Rainbow Bridge. Hugs to you...

[plimit56]

I am so sorry for your loss. It is very hard to lose a beloved pet but know they are now at Rainbow Bridge running free and in no pain. They will be waiting for us all when it is our turn.
I have had all my dogs cremated and have them in beautiful wood boxes with their pictures on the front. Sitting on my bureau for me to give them kiss and smiles everyday.

"Saving one dog won't change the world...but the world will change for that one dog.":doggie:

[joannej]

I am so sorry for your loss of your beautiful Mimi. My cat is getting up there in age and I am reminded that I will not have him forever. I truly believe that when we die, the first thing we'll see will be our beloved animals that have passed. Somehow, that thought makes me feel better. Give yourself time, and appreciate the wonderful times you had together.

[Barefoot]

I'm very sorry to hear that Mimi has passed but she is happy now, free from pain, and waiting for you on the other side. Our pets always live on in our hearts. Blessings and hugs to you at this distressing time.

[ssmith]

Truly sorry for your loss. I can feel your pain in your posts.

I am sitting here looking at my 18yo Sheltie and dreading what may come next. Have been though it x 2 before and it really takes times to recover! It's all of those little things like: them constantly following you around, waggin their tail. The reflex of not wanting to step on them because they were always at your feet while you sat on the couch. Running home to make sure they get let out, going for walks etc.

Take courage it will get better.

[dancerbill]

You are exactly right!! With little dogs that are always at your feet and who follow you everywhere, the absence is immense. I find myself looking for her constantly whenever I am home. I look, and she is not there, and the shock hits me all over again. I was not prepared for this immense loss.

Thank you so much for your reply.

[aussiemom]

So sorry to hear you will be facing the loss of your beloved pet. We unfortunately just went through this with our boy in April, an Australian Shepherd, and we had a private cremation arranged through our vet. We picked out an urn for his ashes and we had a plague engraved for the urn. Our total cost for the vet and cremation was $200. He is now back home with us where he belongs.

If you choose cremation make sure its a private one (which means the ashes are all
just your pet). Regular cremation (even with people) is a combination of your pets ashes along with any other pets that were cremated together with your pet.

Our sympathies are with you as we know the loss you will feel.

[dancerbill]

Thank you for your kind words.

We've chosen a private cremation through Mimi's vet at Buffalo Ridge. Hopefully, it will be done soon and she will be back home again.

Again, we would like to thank all the nice people on TOTV. Your kindness helped during this ordeal.

[mfp509]

One other thing I did to ease my pain of losing Missy is, when I was ready, I took all my favorite photos of her and had an album made on Shutterfly.com. When completed they printed a hard copy for me and I have it on the coffee table in the living room. I love picking it up and looking through it. I also have been reading Animals and the Afterlife and All Pets Go to Heaven. This has helped me alot.

[Schaumburger]

One other thing I did to ease my pain of losing Missy is, when I was ready, I took all my favorite photos of her and had an album made on Shutterfly.com. When completed they printed a hard copy for me and I have it on the coffee table in the living room. I love picking it up and looking through it. I also have been reading Animals and the Afterlife and All Pets Go to Heaven. This has helped me alot.

mfp509, Thank you for suggestions! My cat is 15 and in very good health, but I know I will be in this same situation sooner or later.