Nikki is finally home again...

[Nikkisangel]

After loosing our beloved Nikki on June 5 2005,
I finally got the nerve to go get her ashes from the vet. I was not ready for how hard it was to bring her home. So I sit here staring at this cardboard box wondering what to do with it. I know she is with us spiritualy but physically I miss her so much. We got a bush from our friends to plant in her memory and we thought about burying her with it so she help it grow.. But I can't decide if I want some of her in the house or not. I would take any suggestions that helped you cope.
Godspeed my sweet Nikki!
Heather

[flyballmom]

Charleigh is in an oak urn here on my computer desk, spying on you all as I type. I can't imagine having her anywhere else. I also have a silver pendant urn I wear around my neck. In it is a bit of ash and a bit of fur. If that's something you think you might like to do, ask your vet to recommend an urn company, or doing a search on line.

My thought about burying was, what if I move? I know she's not really there, but still not something I'd be able to do.

[observer]

We originally thought of planting a plant with the ashes underneath when my Annie died years ago, but that never happened, so she is still in the house with me, and always in my heart even though I recently got another Rottie. I think that is where she will stay.

[Bucky's Mom]

The ashes are the physical evidence of a life - the feelings in your heart don't need a marker - it will always be there.

I am sorry for your loss

Lisa (Bucky's Mom)

[rottgirl]

I too have the urn of Snickers (6/04) at my desk. She would lay on the floor next to me while I was working at my desk so I putting her on the desk keeps her close to me.

Take time to mourn and remember "she is home now" Godspeed Nikki

Michele

[RottiMomCT]

I picked up Bakers ashes this afternoon (that was quick)...

For now, they are in the china cabinet along with Thelda's...no clue what the inlaws will do with them...

[moondog]

Heather,

I lost my precious friend, Luna, last December 10th. Her ashes are in a wooden box next to my bed and I still find myself talking to her, to say my good mornings, say my good nights, and cry on her "shoulder" when the heartache returns. I won't bury her ashes, or scatter them as I thought I would, because I find I still need her close to me. I found a single black Luna hair on my desk at work a week or so after she died. I picked it up and thought "I can't lose this" and I taped it to my monitor, where it still remains today. I didn't realize before she died that I really didn't know what a heartache truly was, it was more of a concept to me with just enough fleeting emotion for me to think I did know. Now I do know how a heart aches.

My employer sent me some beautiful plants the day after Luna died, so Luna would have a garden in her memory. Her favorite rock, the one she loved to slide all over the patio is there, tucked among the flowers. My son used a grinder to write her name on it. Luna's Garden has given me something to care for that I care about, and that helps.

My next door neighbor made me a pendant urn similar to the one flyballmom has (thanks, Beth). I wanted one that reminded me of Luna, so my neighbor and I designed it together. It's a round silver urn, with a pinch of Luna's ash, a pinch of Luna's fur (both colors ) and a moonstone set in the front that you can see a crescent moon in, when the light is just right. Luna goes everywhere with me.

Years ago, I would have thought some of this was off the deep end. Not now. Heather, you do what you need to do to preserve the memory of your friend in the way that feels right to you. Godspeed, Nikki girl...

[chivas]

Chivas' ashes are in a beautiful wooden box that is in a glass cabinet in my living room, along with her pawprint plaque, some of her favorite toys and her collar (sealed in a plastic bag which on occassion I open and can still smell her). I have kept EVERYTHING of hers, even her beds are sealed in plastic boxes. When my time comes, I am to be cremated and she and I are to be taken up in a plane and released together. She is my best friend and I still miss her terribly.

[Denise L.]

Oh gosh, I am so sorry for your loss. When I got my cat Babe's ashes back, I slept with them under my pillow for weeks. Now they are in a box on my bureau.

If you do decide to bury them under the bush (a lovely idea) make sure they are contained. A friend of mine moved from LA to Boston and the night before she left remembered her dog Jeffie's ashes were still buried in her yard. She and a friend dug up and sifted through as much earth as they could and then she just shoveled a ton of it into a huge plastic container and had it shipped to Boston. Now Jeffies resides in a beautiful urn in her living room.

Godspeed Nikki, enjoy all of our friends at the Bridge.

[Karyn]

2004 was a horrible year. Spike (20 year old cat) died in February - the ground was frozen so I had him cremated. Then Cromwell (8 1/2 year old rottie) died also in February - I had him cremated. Then Neemo (9 year old GSD) died - too big to dig a hole - she was cremated. Then Daisy died - it was septemeber so I buried her in my front yard and planted a weeping cherry tree for her. The tree bloomed this spring! I will bury Spike and Neemo by the Cherry tree but Cromwell goes with me. Our ashes are to be spread over Pikes Peak. Keep the ashes for as long as you need them. There is comfort in keeping something tangible.

[Rottlva]

Heather, I am so sorry for your loss....What beautiful ideas you have been given. Your sweet girl is back again with you....

[majicka]

I bought a gorgeous mahogy urn for Bruno's ashes..I bought them from an online place, if you'd like the name I will look it up for you, they were absolutely wonderful and very sympathetic. Bruno sits on top of a 6ft tall shelf unit in my livingroom..watching over us always.

I did think about planting a garden in his memory and burying his ashes there..I'm not sure if I'm going to live here forever and I don't want to leave him behind. I did plant a beautiful rose garden, and soon there will be some sort of memorial in it to him..I haven't decided what yet.