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With my first dog I was going to spread the ashes on the beach as that is where she loved to go but they came back in a beautiful wood box with her name on top so I never did that. At this point in time I have 4 such boxes of dog ashes so like a few others have said my plan is to have their ashes mixed with mine then us all spread down at the beach as the beach has always been a happy place for me and everydog I have owned. When my mom died we split her ashes some went in her flower bed as she loved gardening some went in each of our own yards flower beds and my sister left some up along the ocean on San Juan Island where she and her husband owned a cabin and one could watch the most beautiful sunsets over the water.
As you can see, everyone has a totally different take on this; so, whatever you do, it's OK b/c it's what's right for you.
For me, I probably wouldn't want my dog's ashes b/c to me, that is not "her." Before she crosses the rainbow bridge, I will probably trim off a bunch of her fur and then, over time, scatter it in places where she and I would go together. Some at home, some on the hiking trails, in my parent's back yard, etc. To me, that's more representative of my dog---her smell, her feel.
When I was a child, I clipped off some of my golden retriever's fur and I still have it in a photobook. Probably weird to some but hey, to each his own!
Your pup would want you to do what makes you happy! Vanessa's ashes are right next to our bed (nightstand) a place where we snuggled every night and a place that I find comforting to me!
I had once "thought" of spreading her ashes at places she loved...like the lake etc. but I, being the crazy human that I am, kept thinking that she would be cold or scared at night so I wanted her to be with me forever in a place that she found cozy and warm. She will then join me in my coffin when it is my time.
I have my two dogs and cat in separate box/urns on my dresser. They each have their pic on the cover. I keep a vigil candle next to them and light it every so often. I uses to light it every night during the first couple of months after they passed away. I lost both dogs in 4 months of each other.
I like how I can pick up the urn and hold it close to me when I need to.
I originally was going to bury the dogs in the back yard under these trees where I used to have a hammock. The dogs would always lay underneith the hammock, but like someone previously mentioned, "what if I move" than I would feel guilty, so I had them cremated and I can take them with me anywhere.
It's a good thing too, as I lost those trees during Hurricane Sandy.
I try to remember that, in my belief system, the dog is gone, and the ashes are just... ashes. The body being the shell of the soul. (I do this with my late father, too, when I picture his body being gone, remembering that he is gone, too).
I put the ashes in a rock garden I have outside, along with a name tag. I personally have no desire to keep ashes with me. In fact, my next dog loss, I am not going to keep ashes at all, but will clip some fur and bury the fur and name tag in the rock garden with the others. Frankly, that's where I'd like to be when I'm cremated, if I can get someone to do it without town permission, etc. I don't have a name tag!
I think people should do whatever they feel best about, and try to keep some perspective on what the ashes are and what they are not. You know the dog wouldn't think "I've been replaced" if someone chose not to keep ashes or have them in the first place.
I just talked to a woman who does horse art and raises horses. She said when she has to put a horse down, she sends the body to a rendering plant, because it's just practical. She's captured the soul in her care of the horse and, in her case, in her art.
When my present Shepherd passes(assuming I live longer than him), his ashes will be placed on my fireplace mantle along with the ashes of my two previous Shepherds.
When I die, I have instructed the executor of my will to mix my ashes with the three Shepherds, and scatter them equally in two parks we went to every day.
Bob.
Have you heard of jewelry made from or for ashes? There are mini urn pendants that you can wear on a necklace. Or there is a process where ashes can now be processed into a diamond like stone. You can Google "pet ash jewelry." I'm still trying to decide if I like the idea or not, but I think its certainly interesting.
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