Cremation Question

[RyanOC]

Im going to cremate my Jasmine tomorrow but cant decide on if I should request to get the ashes back. It will be a lot more money and Im not sure if it will do anything for me to have them. I also dont know if I will know 100% if they are turely hers or not.

What does anyone feel about having her cremated and leaving her to be cremated with all the rest and just keeping a paw print and some fur?

Thanks
Ryan

[macho rottie]

I am so sorry for your loss. I know how heartbreaking it must have been but you did her the best favour an owner could do. Gave her peace and took away her pain.
It is totally up to you what you decide to do with her ashes. The paw print is a wonderfull reminder of your girl. Her earthly body is gone but her soul will live within your heart forever. I didn't cremate mine, just took them and buried them in the garden.

[Patty1231]

I can only give you my reasons for not having Perle cremated. First, and probably foremost, she was done with her body therefore so was I. I took three locks of her fur, while she was still with me (one from the fluffy part of her chest, one from the back of her legs where she loved butt rubs, and the little piece of wayward fur at the underneath of her docked tail). These all held special meaning and, as I said, were obtained while she was still a living, breathing entity.

Secondly, since I knew I would never be sure in my heart that the remains I received back were truly hers, I decided against it.

I'm very sorry for your loss.

[moondog]

Ryan, that sounds fine to me. A paw print and some fur are very real and tangible reminders of your girl. What is most important is what you feel is important. We each remember our dogs in our own way, and the way that feels right to you, is the right way.

[spidey]

Only you can decide that. I had the ashes of all my deceased pets with me in urns for years, and then lost them all in a move (along with all kinds of other things), and while I sometimes wish I still had them, the truth is that the things I really cherish are the pictures and memories of them, along with the parts of my journal about them (the writing I did while my last cat was ill is something I can go back to over and over again, and it's much more "real", and brings back my memories of him much more clearly than his ashes ever could (I eventually spread his ashes under a rose bush at my parents' home). I completely understand wanting to hang onto the physical parts of our pets (ashes, fur, pawprints), but remember that what's really "Jasmine" isn't in her body, it's in your head and heart, and those things will never leave you. Write a few pages about this time you're going through, both before and after you take her on that last car ride, try and remember all the things that she did that made you happy, that annoyed you, that made her unique. If my own experiences are anything to go by, those are the things you will value most a few years down the road.

I do know that the company we used at the vet clinic I worked at guaranteed that they cremated the animals whose ashes were to be returned separately from the others. But you'll either believe that, or you won't.

I'm very sorry you're going through this, it's never easy, even when you know it's all you can do.

[debbiej]

that is up to you. I so feel your pain and sorrow. I think she will have a beautiful memorial in your heart forever. Maybe you could put together an album with favorite pictures and a paw print. Plant a tree or beautiful flowering shrub for her. ashes are ashes. they mean a lot to some people, but they aren't the only rememberance that means something. I like to think of a few old friends buried in my yard, and one special dog that had a rock garden created in her memory.

[lblax]

weve had all our dogs creamated and when the wife and i are gone we will be creamated also and the kids are instructed to mix all the ashes together then spread us in the surf in a spot in new jersey where we spent many a happy younger days. if it were me i would obtain the ashes

[majicka]

If you go to a reputable crematorium, they should give you a certification from them that it is your dog's remains.

It's a personal decision. I had 2 of my past dogs group cremated, and I've never felt that I "missed" out on something. My Bruno was privately cremated he was a very special dog to me, and I felt that for myself I needed his remains.

You need to do what's right for your heart to heal, whatever the decision you make, there's no right or wrong one. I'm so very sorry to hear about Jasmine..

[lblax]

Originally Posted by Patty1231

Secondly, since I knew I would never be sure in my heart that the remains I received back were truly hers, I decided against it.

I'm very sorry for your loss.

if you use a reputable facility you can be sure we were even welcome to watch e process if we wished.

[Anne]

I too have my dogs cremated. I have their urns on a little table with photos.
Just whatever you feel comfortable with will be the right thing for you.

[flyballmom]

Oh Ryan. Well...I had Charleigh individually cremated, and her ashes and urn are here on my desk. I know she's not really "there" but having that tangilbe object does make me feel better at times. But...no matter what you decide...your girls spirit not only has gone on, but also lives in you. Her earthly remains are just that...for us. I'm sorry. Godspeed Jasmine.

[Mochasmom]

We decided not to cremate Mocha since we had a spot large enough to bury her.
As others have said what feels best to you is the way to go. There is no right or wrong answer.

Mocha left us a paw print on the new paint shortly before she passed, we have since protected it forever.

[Judi W]

The things my dogs have left with me are not physical, but of the soul and mind and heart. I have their collars hanging on their plaques, but I have never done the individual cremation and ashes. I honor them with the next dog and the lessons we learned together.

[Troy]

I had Kamen cremated. I didn't know how I would feel about it...but it really has been of comfort to me.

Everyone is different.

[TUindecisive]

I'm so sorry that you're going through this. Losing a pet is such an awful time.

My family just lost our dog Lucky. We had him privately cremated and had the ashes returned to us. The plan is to bury his ashes in the yard in a special place, with a marker. We decided to cremate him to keep animals from finding his body in the yard (it's a wooded area with lots of wildlife) and we're going to bury the ashes to ensure that they aren't lost or destroyed somehow. It was more expensive, but I feel confident that the ashes are his.

That said, it's entirely your decision-and you may have already decided-whatever you do, I wish you peace. Jasmine knows your decision was made out of love for her.