14/10/2025
TRIGGER WORDS - PET LOSS & BEREAVEMENT.
Losing a pet can be one of the hardest things we go through as an owner, it's an inevitable part of sharing our lives with them, that we have to say goodbye at some point.
Sometimes, it can be after weeks or months of a health decline, or it can happen suddenly, as happened with Ripley just a few weeks ago, in the space of a few hours she had gone, and this weekend, I was asked to help my elderly neighbours when their beautiful GSD was taken ill suddenly & sadly passed away as we arrived at the emergency vets.
The owners knew they wanted a private cremation but didn't know how or where, I supported them with this and we took their precious boy to the crematorium later that day and the owner was guided through the process by the amazing staff.
Even though I've shared my life with multiple dogs over the years it never gets any easier, but one thing that I have found helps me, personally, is knowing what I want to happen afterwards.
Rather than making a rushed decision about their aftercare, I have things in place.
Years ago, from my early days in veterinary practice, there were limited options on what to do with a pet after they had passed, but now, their are more options available, to help us, as owners, come to terms with the bereavement & keep memories close by, treasuring our precious family members.
Pet Crematoriums are increasingly popular, they can provide a private cremation for your pet and ashes can be returned in a number of ways from biodegradable tubes, through to tribute boxes, teddy bears and urns, even jewellery can be made as a keepsake.
They often have memorial gardens where a marker & flowers can be placed, a place that can be visited for some quiet reflection when needed.
I made the decision many years ago to have one of my dogs privately cremated and I've done this ever since when I've had to say goodbye to others.
I take the dog myself and can spend time with them in a chapel of rest, they're treated with the same dignity and compassion in death as they were in life, I can collect them a day or two later & getting them back home always brings me huge comfort.
Your veterinary practice can arrange the cremation for you, or, you can take your pet yourself, with prior arrangement so you can take as long as you need.
Staff are compassionate and caring, they're pet owners themselves and understand the emotions involved.
I have several "tribute boxes"now, Ripley being the latest, they simply look like photo frames on the shelf.
When I got her home, a friend gave me a home made candle & another friend, a bunch of beautiful home grown flowers.
The ashes are in a parchment bag and secured with a wax seal, after going through favourite photos, I popped one in the front and she sits not far from me.
It's common practice for us to plan a human funeral in advance, but, perhaps we should do the same for our pets, so the precious time at the end of their journey isn't rushed or panicked having to make decisions that may be regretted later.
I'm writing this with tears in my eyes now, but if it helps one person, then this post is worth making.
My neighbours will collect their boys ashes in a few days and getting him home will bring them huge comfort I'm sure, they're already looking through photos & they know where his tribute box will be placed, so he can watch over them and they can see him.
If you think this post may help someone you know, share it with them or talk to them about it, if anyone wants to message me, I'm happy for that to happen and chat about the process and how it's worked for me.
Picture of Ripleys tribute box the day I brought her home & in happier times 💕.
