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I've done all of the above. Burial is problematic if you aren't able to dig a hole in the back yard, for whatever reason (either you can't or don't have one). Cremation services are ridiculously expensive and exploitative, in my opinion. It's convenient to just leave the body with the vet, but that somehow doesn't feel sufficiently respectful. The most satisfying solution I've found is -- ironically -- donating the body to science. We happen to have not a vet school, but an animal science college in our nearby university, and -- because my pet died in surgery under anesthesia unexpectedly and rather mysteriously, the vet was anxious to exonerate himself by finding some underlying, previously undetected medical problem with a necropsy. I had the satisfaction of knowing that my loss at least contributed to veterinary knowledge, and the problem of what to do with the body was resolved for me at no cost. But I admit I have a somewhat atypical attitude toward bodies, both animal and human. Once the spirit has departed, to me it's no more than an wrecked car or a worn-out suit of clothes to be discarded. It's merely the old vehicle for the actual person or animal.
Once the spirit has departed, to me it's no more than an wrecked car or a worn-out suit of clothes to be discarded. It's merely the old vehicle for the actual person or animal.
Thank you for that, it's how I feel, except animals & spirits- whole other thread LOL
I cremate them. Their cremains arent so large that you cant keep them stacked in a closet.
When I go I will be cremated and their cremains will be mixed with mine. Hopefully. Not sure who will see to that....
Since I have my mother's and the one cat, I would want them buried with me.
They didn't even mention that the weight made a difference in price. The vets around here are rip off artists. I've never gotten out of there for less than $200. There's a low cost clinic that only does vaccines and spay/neuter. That helps.
My dad was going to get his dog fixed and the vet wanted $435 but the clinic had a grant for pit bulls so it was $75. The vet was trying to shame him for going there! It's not even worth finding another vet cuz they are all overpriced.
I don't know if they all charge by weight and this is the first time I've ever used this service. The most I've ever paid for a spay/neuter is $80. The most I've ever paid for treatment was around $1,000 because my cat developed diabetes and other problems. Then I spent a year keeping him alive with insulin shots and (expensive) special foods. Vets are as expensive as human doctors anymore. Sigh.
This is a little off topic but I did ask my vet in Chandler why vets charge so much.
He said it was the need to compete. If other vets got an expensive machine in the office, he had to do it too. He also said the cost of overhead (the office in a very nice shopping center) was expensive rent. And then all the associates. They had to be paid. Then there are tests for animals that are sent outside to a lab, which charges whatever they want to. And malpractice insurance. And continuing ed for the vet. Add on any advertising done (newspaper, internet, etc) and you have more expense. It all adds up.
This is a little off topic but I did ask my vet in Chandler why vets charge so much.
He said it was the need to compete. If other vets got an expensive machine in the office, he had to do it too. He also said the cost of overhead (the office in a very nice shopping center) was expensive rent. And then all the associates. They had to be paid. Then there are tests for animals that are sent outside to a lab, which charges whatever they want to. And malpractice insurance. And continuing ed for the vet. Add on any advertising done (newspaper, internet, etc) and you have more expense. It all adds up.
I think medical care -- for people, as well, but especially for animals -- needs to take a step back in time about fifty years, when only what was actually necessary was done. Animals can't consent to complex, time-consuming, painful, expensive, and anxiety-producing tests and procedures and don't understand what's going on; all they know is that they're frightened and being hurt. Honestly, I think "well checks" and about half of what's done in vet offices these days is just ridiculous. Fix what you can when needed and, when a pet gets old and sick and disabled, give him a humane and dignified passing. I believe vets guilt pet owners into aggressive, costly procedures and treatments more to pad their own pockets than for the true well-being of the animals. To some extent, the same goes for human medical care. I stay away from the doctor unless I'm practically dying; the more you go, the more they find, and the more it costs. It's a for-profit business, and simply what they do. Educate and protect yourself, and be a fearless advocate for the true well-being of the pets who are trusting you, too.
As a retiree, I have had a few pets who died and was uncertain as to what to do ? Cremate them? Bury them somewhere? Find a pet cemetery?
My most beloved cat died in 1997. He was 19 and I buried him in my yard. (It was ok then to do so). But then I moved to another state so I dug him up and re buried him in my mother's garden. His sister passed so I buried her along side of the house where no one could see the gravesite.
Since then, I have cared for 3 other cats. Two were my kid's cats and one was, again, my very own beloved darling calico. She died a year ago and I now have 3 cats in boxes in my den. All cremated.
Here's the problem. I now have 2 elderly dogs. When they pass, what to do? I cannot keep cremating these pets and stacking them up in the closet. What do other retirees do? These pets were all rescues and were old, like me. I truly do not want to be cremated and kept in a box in the closet.
I wish there was a pet cemetery here. That would be a good solution. So what do you do?
Ours is in a urn on the upstairs fire place mantle. Behind decorative items
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