Burying a beloved pet is hard.

“It's not only physically hard, but emotionally tough as well.

Nikki is my 13 year old Siberian Husky. He was getting old and had slowed down considerably the past couple of years. Sunday night was a very cool fall night and Nikki loves it when it gets cold out so I put him outside to sleep in the mild mid 60's weather. Monday morning he was still sleeping in his god house and I filled his water bowl and left him some food outside and went to work. I didn't get back home till really late Monday night, I went to let him inside to eat (I bought the dogs some IAMS dog food gravy to try out) and I found Nikki still seemingly asleep in his dog house. I gave the doghouse a good kick to get him get him up, and when he didn't budge a feeling of dread came over me. I felt his side and his body felt cold and he wasn't breathing, the smell of death lingered in the air. I knew then that my beloved Nikki had passed away sometime most likely Sunday night.

I went to Wal Mart and bought a flat sheet. I gently wrapped Nikki in the sheet, folding his legs under him and resting his head on his paws. It almost looked like he was just sleeping. I carried him and placed him in my shed for the night. I called my vet the next morning and asked about getting Nikki cremated. The university would do this for me but it might take a couple of days for them to get around too it, I didn't want Nikki's body laying around all that time so I decided to lay his body to rest in a grave I would dig myself.

I selected a spot in the back yard, under a large oak tree. It took me several hours to dig through the hard clay and roots. My muscles ached from swinging the heavy pick-mattock and moving the earth with my shovel, but that was the easiest part of burying Nikki. I lowered Nikki's body gently in the hole, it wasn't until then that I broke down with the emotion of the moment. My father has always buried our deceased dogs in the past, this was the first time I've had to do it myself. Shoveling the soil back on top of Nikki was one of the hardest things I've had to do my in my life. I'm sure some people in the world may say "It was only a dog" but the emotional ties I have between myself and my dogs are strong and I wouldn't give them up for the world. In the moment I was filled with regrets thinking about the times I yelled at him for chewing on the back door, messing on the carpet, or going wild with fear in a loud summer thunderstorm, etc. I tilled in some fresh loam and peat moss into the soil a planted a white Azalea bush to mark Nikki's grave. Every time I look at that corner of the yard I will remember the good times I had with Nikki. I can't wait until the spring when the Azalea will bloom in remembrance of my loyal and trusted friend.

”

“Sorry to hear about that DDX.. :-(

I had a pet bird die in my hands a few years ago... We buried him in the yard under our crabapple tree. It was so sad. :-( It happened right before we went on vacation...

A week later, I went to the tree to check on my bird... Some animal (must have been a cat) had apparently dug him up and had him for lunch!! all that was left was 2 feathers.... Thinkbubelz & I were upset, although looking back on it, the situation was kind of funny....

Remember the good times with your dog... I'm sure he died peacefully-- and he was in his beautiful little doggie house!
last edited: 9/14/05 10:54:10 AM”

“DX,

I am very sorry for you loss! I have a 6 year old shepard now.

That is an amazing picture of him. No way Shelby would keep those shades on her head. She would knock them off and chew them up.”

“Wow, that's sad. Sorry about your loss. I've never had to deal with that as an adult yet. My wife told me she's actually worried about me, our lab mix is 10.”

“:( I'm sorry.

The azaleas were an excellent choice. White ones always make me feel very peaceful.”

“That's very sad. Sorry about that DDX.”

“Man, that is tough. I'm very sorry for your loss man.”

“White in Asian cultures is the color for death. I think your choice was appropriate, and also, you will know that the bush is nourished by your beloved pet.

My girlfriend had to put down her horse 3 years ago--She had bred its mom and had raised it since it was a little colt. Sadly, she chose to be there when they put Kip down-- It really tore her apart, but she felt that she needed to be there so that Kip would know that she was with him.
However, in the end, it was probably the worst thing she could have done--she was really depressed and felt terribly guilty after seeing him standing one moment and on the ground, the next....

She buried him in the corner of her lot on her property (she lived on 9 acres.) and placed a ring of rocks and flowers on his grave. It was her place to go whenever she felt sad about him... (I'm not sure, but I think he was over 20 when he was put down.)
Unfortunately, she got divorced and had to sell the property this past year, but she is glad to have been able to allow him to stay in his "home"....”

“Man...that's tough...I feel your pain. I had numerous pets in my life. I'm a cat lover and well you do get a very close bond with your pets, and that's special.

Hang in there, the memories are still there.”

“I'm sorry for your loss :( but he died knowing you love him with having led a wonderful lucky doggy life.

Sasha is seven...and as I was giving her bath today I noticed a lump on the back where her tail connects to her body...About the size of a walnut. I've got to take her in....”

“Sorry to hear about your loss, DeoreDX. Reading your post brought tears to my eyes.

I have a Golden Retiever that is slowing down and I know the day will come when I have to do the same as you have done. I still think about all my pets that have died. Each one of them has a very special place in my heart.”

“Deoredx, the pain of a beloved furry companion dying is beyond words. That's an adorable picture and she is a beautiful dog.

I can only say what my husband keeps trying to drill into my head, because he knows I'll fall apart when my chihuahua goes. He said that all we can do is give her the best life she can have and make her happy, then when it's her time to go, we have to just keep thinking that. He doesn't want me to go over the edge in being overly depressed, but those are easy words to say until that day comes, and then they will seem to lose their meaning.

My dog is 3-1/2 pounds, so I want to put her in thick plastic to bury her, then have her dug up and put in my casket when I go. She is only 3 now.

My poor mom in is losing her cats very often since she has 4 and they are all turning about 18 and 19 at the same time. It was also hard for her to dig a spot in what turned out to be a yard that was dirt on top, but rocks and roots underneath it. Then one went in the winter when the ground was hard. That's what happened to me with my first parrot. I kept her in the refrigerator until I could get someone strong enough to dig in solid ground.”

“I'm so sorry to hear about this DeoreDX. My dog turns 13 in Novemeber. My Long Trail thru-hike was colored by my worries and fears for her, as she has slowed down greatly over the last two years.

I think it's fitting that you found Nikki when you were bringing him a treat (the IAMs gravy). Please take some comfort in the knowing that dogs never seem bruised by our anger (unless it leaves physical bruises) when they are well loved. Also, it sounds like Nikki had a kind and gentle passing. This is what I pray for my dog to have when her time comes. 20 years ago, my last dogs's passing was far more traumatic.”

“It sounds like a nice burial.
last edited: 9/14/05 11:35:14 AM”

“My prayers and sympathies, DD. We just passed our 1-year-anniversary of our dog's passing (9/12). I know it is hard, but time heals in the end.”

“The Water Bowl

A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead. He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.

When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side. When he was close enough, he
called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"

"This is Heaven, sir," the man answered.

"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.

"Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up." The man gestured, and the gate began to open.

"Can my friend," gesturing toward his dog, "come in, too?" the traveler asked.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."

The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog. After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no
fence.
As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and
reading a book. "Excuse me!" he called to the man. "Do you have any water?"

"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in."

"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.

"There should be a bowl by the pump."

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned
hand pump with a bowl beside it. The traveler filled the water bowl and
took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog. When they were
full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.

"What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.
"This is Heaven," he answered.

"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the road said that was Heaven, too."

"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope.
That's hell."

"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"

"No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind.”

“DDX....I'm so sorry.....HUGS.......”

“Buying a beloved pet may be hard.......











but buying a pet that #&%!$s on the carpet; barks all night; and tries to hump the neighbors leg is worse.”

“Hey DeoreDX, I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your good friend. My dogs are getting up there in age and are slowing down and I know it won't be too long until I'm digging and crying too. I can't even imagine. Siberian Huskies are gorgeous and Nikki was lucky to spend her few years in this world with you.”

“Lipstick--How about putting your pet in one of those vacuum pack bags or one of the plastic boxes and use duct tape to seal her inside? That way, you'd have all of the bones and fur after she was exhumed? (not sure how that would be.)

Although I'm not sure I would want to use the vacuum sealer for food after that...

Perhaps doing some kind of mummification using a dessicant would work better to preserve your doggie's body?”

“There are places that will freeze-dry your pets for you...”

“I'm sorry for your loss, DDX.”

“DDX, there are plenty of us here who understand the connection between human and animal. I'm sure Nikki had a wonderfully happy life with you. It'll be nice to think of her whenever you see the azelea bush.”

“pink, I saw a show on tv about them making a mummy out of your pet, then putting the pet in a statue that is similar to their shape and size. I have to say what they did to the cat to mummify it was not pretty.

Well, I do have friends who fish that have those plastic sealer machines that vaccum pack. That's an interesting idea. Of course I could never say I wanted to borrow it for Capri, lol!!!! Well, I guess I wouldn't say anything anyway since I'd be dead!

bit, are you pulling my leg? Freeze dried sounds....well, dry. It doesn't paint a pretty picture, but actually it is a way to make Capri smaller to fit in the casket, not that her current weight would take up much space. I want her nestled under my arm. My husband says the funeral parlor will probably not allow it, and I told HIM he better honor my wishes. I suppose with rigor mortis, he would either have to give Capri to them right away or just lay her by my head.

I can just see it now, everyone asking my husband what that bag is next to my head. He would hate to have to answer that question over and over. I can see him not honoring my wishes already, between digging up Capri and telling the funeral parlor he has this bag he wants to put in my casket.

His step father died and his casket was like a side show. He was a biker, and was just arriving at the big biker rally in Daytona Florida when he died, so his friend propped up a biker magazine from there on his casket. His other friend put a golf ball in his casket since the guy would come into his friends place and always toss one at him and there was other stuff. Then my husband's mom dressed him in his casual street attire thinking he's not a suit guy. I told my husband to not let his family anywhere near my coffin when I go and that he better not dress me in hiking shorts, boots and a cool max shirt just because I hike a lot. I want a pretty dress even though I don't dress like that normally. I really thought the step father would have looked better in a suit even if he didn't ordinarily wear them. She has his vest on him with motorcycle patches. I'm must too conventional for doing something like that. He looked okay, but not as good as he could have.”

“Google results for "Freeze dry pet"


There were 415,000 matches.”

“Poor Nikki. Even in death people think he's a girl. : (

(DDX didn't name him that, btw, folks.)

RIP Nikki-boy.”

“lipstick,

I think it would be an interesting thing to create a mummy case for a dog... I'm an artist, so when your doggie dies, if you think you might be interested in making a mummy case for him, let me know.

Although, if the photos on those "freeze dried pet" sites are real, they look pretty lifelike! Wouldn't that almost be like having your animal stuffed by a taxidermist? (obviously, there's no mutilation of the body when freeze drying, but I think that would be a bit freaky...”

“Being a geek I googled pet burying to find out how deep I needed to bury my pet to revent that dreaded digging up by wild animals. Four feet doesn't sound deep until you start digging that deep! I only got a little above three feet when I decided that was more then deep enough :D.”

“especially when they keep trying to jump out of that hole you so nicely dug.

i had two pets as a child. daisy, a beagle, and tiger, a kitten. daisy constantly ran away, dug holes in the yard, and chewed the valve stems on tires. tiger could not figure out his litter box. he crapped everywhere but the litter box. so he became an outside cat (via airmail express), until he started crapping in the new garage. wouldnt even use the sandbox (duh. stupid cat). after those two pets my parents gave up. i guess we were cursed”

“Crash, that's odd. Cats usually learn to use the litter box right away unless your parents used cut up newspaper.

Bit was not kidding. I went to this site:

http://showcase.netins.net/web/helling/at/petgal1.htm

It's the photo gallery of dead pets which I could not believe since they are totally lifelike. Then I went to another site and it had the same pictures of pets looking exactly like they were alive.

I couldn't not do that because it would kill me to see her every day like she was alive, but the technology is amazing. I don't know who could stand to look at their pet being dead. I figured it involved some kind of stuffing that would not make the animal's facial features look right, but they do! The cost for my dog would be $465.

DeordeDX, I'm sorry I referred to Nikki as a "she". I usually go back to a post concerning pets to make sure I refer to them as the proper sex. Nikki usually does refer to Nicholas, but I guess I was thinking about Nicole Kidman. I think Cruise called her Nik or Nikki, and now he just calls her b!tch! Only kidding, well maybe. She did break down and comment that he seems to be using his new relationship to promote his movie, so you don't know if the relationship is real or not, but I digress.

I think it's good you looked up how far to dig. My concern is that if you don't dig deep enough and live near wild animals, they may dig your pet up.

pink, the statues I saw on tv had a mummified cat in it, but you could not open it. It looked just like a regular statue made of maybe ceramic material. It had a slick black finish. I think I'll pass on the mummy case, but thanks anyway, I think because of how my dog would have to be preserved inside unless you freeze the dog and can put an outside sealed ceramic thing around her.”

“Oh, I wasn't even thinking ceramic, but rather something like plaster... Hmmm... Anyways, I guess the ceramic thing sounds more like an urn for ashes. IF it is ceramic and the pet is inside, then it would have had to be fired, (thus making the pet into ashes anyways!)

BTW-- DDX-- I only buried my bird 6 inches deep... LOL... I guess I learned my lesson!”

“DDX, sorry to hear about your loss. I know how hard that is and feel for you. I dread the day my pointer dies.”

“I had him cremated and love having him (or his urn of ashes) stay in a different room every few months, just like he did in life.
*I now have two kittens, a scottish fold, and a manx and they are a joy to be around and love each other. Mojo (m) and JuJu (f) respectively have filled the space Elmo left. I see alot of his character in Mojo.
Get a pup when your ready and start your animal companion relationship again. Very healing.”

“pink, I can't remember how they made that ceramic piece around the mummified cat. Maybe I'm wrong about it being ceramic. It could have been metal with an outside coating.”

“DDX, I'm sorry for your loss.

Mark Twain wrote the following epitaph for his daughter. We borrowed it for our "Spud Dog" who left us this spring after 16 years.

"Warm summer sun shine kindly here;
Warm southern wind blow softly here;
Green sod above lie light, lie light --
Good night, dear heart, good night, good night."”

“DeoreDX: Sorry about the loss of your beloved friend.”

“That's tough DDX. I'm sorry for your loss. I have a 12 y.o. Brittany Spaniel that I got when she was just 6 weeks old. She's still in good health, but lately I've thought about her passing on. I dread it but that's how it goes.

One good story about her: During the past 12 years, I had to leave her with my parents for almost 2 yrs. because of a new job that entailed a lot of travel. Back then I lived over 700 miles away from her and would only see her on Christmas. When the travel lightened up my parents came to visit and brought her to stay. When they parked at my apartment complex, several places down from my door, she bolted from the car, made a beeline for my apartment, ran up the stairs and started pawing at my door. I didn't know I smelled so bad! :-)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/tnbackpacker/bailey004.jpg”

“long, she's a pretty dog. I never heard of a Brittany Spaniel. I do like those King Charles Cavalier Spaniels, but I'll always be a Chihuahua owner. They are quirky dogs and there is no way to describe them and their funny ways, but maybe everyone can that about their dogs too.”

“LH, Brittanies were developed as a cross between an English Setter and a French Spaniel. They're similar to a Springer Spaniel but leaner and with longer legs....great dogs.”

“DDX, get a copy of Eugene O'Neill's very small book "The Last Will and Testament of an Extremely Distinguished Dog". It will make you shed tears, but it is very healing to the soul. I'll quote the last few pages:

"One last word of farewell, dear Master and Mistress. Whenever you visit my grave, say to yourselves with regret but with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my long, happy life with you: "Here lies one who loved us and whom we loved." No matter how deep my sleep I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail."

Nikki was kind to you in his death, for he chose his own time and went peacefully. I have lost three very beloved dogs in the last 2 years - one to an accident, one to cancer, and one old friend that I had to put to sleep before she suffered more. All are buried in the yard with their favorite toys. It is never easy.”

“My family's pet cemetary is in a lovely spot in my parent's backyard. Walk down a hill, along a path (which is beautifully gardened), to the edge of their property bordering the wetlands before the lake. There's a home-made wooden arbor for sitting, some chairs carved out of stumps and a small fire ring. Just beyond that, is where the family dog and cat, and my own cat are all buried. Mom painted rocks for each grave.”

“I'm very sorry for your loss. Just reading your experience brought me to tears remembering a past pet that I had to put to sleep whom I tried to comfort while he passed.”

“Sorry to hear it DDX.”

“DeoreDX, that picture of Nikki from the front reminds so much of my Chow, Simba. He gets “chubby cheeks” when he smiles.

Painful? Oh God man, I’m sure that writing about it helped some. I was in physical pain for six months when my last Chow died. Someone offered to help me as I carried his body to the grave in a white sheet. Thank you, but no! I wanted to carry him. He was so special to me.

My girlfriend and I just sat at his grave and cried for about an hour.



I’ve thought about what a basket case I’ll be when Simba goes. Every time he comes to me wanting to play and be petted, and I think I’m too tried to play, I think about it. Then I get off my butt and play and pet him because we only have so much time that we can be with these wonderful creatures. If people were more like dogs, the world would be a better place.

People who don’t understand dogs sometimes think that we have them just because they’re loyal, they tend to obey us, and they show us unconditional love. I’ve thought about this many times. The thing I love best about my dogs has not been the unconditional love that they show to me, it’s that they bring out MY unconditional love for them. I would do almost anything for my dogs. They bring out the best in me.


I hope that sharing your pain helps lessen the hurt.


There was a Twilight Zone episode about the story Ewker refers to. It is one of my favorites.

I’ve read Rainbow Bridge a couple of times, but I start crying and that disturbs the folks around me. I sometimes picture walking across that bridge, having my dogs run to greet me, and then they escort me to wherever it is we go. That picture always brings a smile to my face. That would be quite a procession. That would be heaven to me.
last edited: 9/17/05 10:05:58 AM”

“arclite, you are so right. A dog can bring out the best in a person. I also would do anything for my dog. I would jump in front of a car to save her. My husband says that's extreme, but not when you have a love that is so deep.

Another thing is the way the dogs act. My dog does such funny things. I laugh and cry at the same time as I'm trying to sleep in the morning and she gets up early and is like, "Hey, get up. I'm up, so you're getting up! She starts pawing at me furiously. I'm just glad she stopped doing it to my face. That used to wake me up real quick!!!”

“Arclite: I agree. Dogs can bring out some very positive things in people. My wife has told me that she thinks living with dogs makes us better people.”

“If it weren't for my dog, I might not know what affection is really about. I have learned what touch really means, and what it means to follow through with a responsibility I chose to have.”

“I looked over into the next yard and saw the prettiest pointer pup I`d ever laid eyes on, she had so much choclate color on her it seemed to just drip off her and she even had a splattering of chocolate dots covering any white parts that did show through. It was love at first sight, we on my part at least, but I couldda sworn she was tempting me to fall madly in love with her, the lil` flirt.

I went about doin` whatever the heck it was I was on about and tried not to notice her, I even got done with what I was doing and was about to leave and go home when I noticed she was just layin` there in the sun and I got to thinkin` it`s mighty hot for her to be tied off so tightly to that closeline pole and I got to rememberin` I haddn`t heard her whimper or whine out to me in some time so, I looked at her closer and I saw she wasn`t breathin`.

I jumped the fence and untied her, her prone form laid limp in my hands and she wasn`t breathin` and I couldn`t feel her heart beatin` at all. I laid her down in the shade and pushed on her ribs and opened her mouth to see if her airway was blocked, it wasn`t as far as I could tell, but that`s when the lil` chit bit me.

I got her some water and she started actin` better pretty fast, but she still was walkin` kinda funny. No one was home so I left a note on their door and asked `em if they`d be interested in sellin` her, or workin` up a trade with me for one of my Brittany spaniel puppies, I had three left.

Well, I got a call from `em a few days later and they wanted to meet me and thank my for savin` their pup`s life and yup, they`d like to maybe trade pups so we got together and did just that and I named her Jill and she grew into a great and lovin` friend and one of the best huntin` dogs anyone couldda ever dreamed of sharin` moments with.

One day I came home for lunch and was just fixin` to go back when my wife decided to throw out some frozen quail that were freezer burnt and had an old smell to `em. She ran out and stopped me from drivin` away and told me Jill was dead she thought. I ran around the house and jumped the fence and picked her up and she was limp as a dirty dishrag and my heart sank into my chest and I started bawlin` my eyes out, I was upset at her for dyin`, upset for my wife givin` her a frozen quail too, but I was mostly upset with myself because there was nothin` I could do to save her.

I was frustrated with everything and tossed her limp body over the fence and she fell hard hittin` the ground with a dull thud and I heard her gasp for breath and saw her body tighten up in a ball. I jumped the fence and pulled her jaws open and stuck my hand down her throat and sure enough drug out a frozen quail and Jill started breathin` again on her own, but she was blind for a while, I guess not havin` any air to her lungs and brain for a bit did it, but she got completely over it in time.

I thought I lost her again that same year she got out and a car ran over her and all she could do was blink her eyes and her breathin` was shallow and then she just seemed to fade away in my arms once more. I held her and talked to her and was fighting back tears and had left her to go dig a hole to burry her in and when I returned to her and started pickin` her up her eyes popped open and I screamed like a lil` kid, I was shocked and excited, sad and happy all mixed together, this dog was gonna be the death of me.

Now it seems like the years we had together just flew by and our time while mostly well spent wasn`t near long enough and I miss her and I guess I`ll never forget her either, even if she was a problem child.

The day did come that she wasn`t gonna wake up from, but this time she just passed away in her sleep, the years had caught up with her at last and like always she was goin` on ahead of me, just like she did when we hunted together, she was always up for the next adventure and you know what,.. she could almost smile at times she`d even see the humor in things and now I know it for sure, she did flirt with me and made me fall in love all over again, .. what a friend she was.”

“Bigfoot,
what an interesting story... I'm sure she was meant to be your dog....”