I don't know what to make of this????

[rg_girlca]

I read this on another form that I am on and just don't quite know what to make of this.
To me personally, I found it interesting to read, but I don't know if I could have it done.

I would love to hear what others think about this and if you had the money, would you consider having it done on one of your beloved pets.

Freeze-dried-pets, to me it's like taxidermy.


http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/02/10/freeze-dried-pets-bereaved-owners-hold-onto-cherished-memories_n_1268291.html

[phesina]

Oh my God...

No way. I have the ashes of mine who have already passed. When I pass, I will be cremated, then have all our ashes mixed together and scattered.

Use the money to help animals still living, in memory of your departed one.

[pomtzu]

Absolutely NOT!! IMO - it's quite morbid.

[momcat]

Use the money to help animals still living, in memory of your departed one.

I agree 100,000% Pat. When it's time for Groucho to go to the Bridge, I want him to rest in peace.

[Lilith Cherry]

OOOh that is really creepy! No way would I consider that!

[rg_girlca]

Thank you all for your input on this.

I was trying to picture my RB animals just laying, standing or sleeping in one position all the time just staring out in space and it creeped me out also. But, if it brings comfort to others, so be it. I would prefer my animals to come running when I get home from work and give me kisses and purrs when I pet them.
Just looking at their pictures and remembering the fun times with them is a comfort to me, knowing that one fine day, we will meet again.

[mrspunkysmom]

I agree with y'all. It's morbid and a thousand other sick words.

I haven't cremated any of mine. Don't know if I would. I haven't decided how I wish to rest, so I haven't thought about the kitties.

[chocolatepuppy]

No way!!!

[Freckles]

There has been a recent series on Animal Planet called American Stuffers who did just that. I was expecting some comments about that series. Parts were hard to watch and nothing I would ever do.

[Karen]

I would never do that to a beloved pet. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, to the earth they return, and the circle of life can continue.

[Miss Z]

I suppose it's one of those 'to each, their own' situations... and we've firmly established that for most of us it's just too weird! :D I'm not overly creeped out by the thought of having a stuffed pet around, perhaps that's because I'm fairly accustomed to animal cadavers in day to day life.... but that doesn't mean I'd have them around the house creeping out all of my guests!

The guy has found himself a nice little money-maker, I suppose. But indeed I agree with what has been said before - that I'd rather spend my money on helping other animals, and remembering the past ones using photos and good memories.

[chocolatepuppy]

There has been a recent series on Animal Planet called American Stuffers who did just that. I was expecting some comments about that series. Parts were hard to watch and nothing I would ever do.

I turn that show off! Can't watch it.

[Karen]

My first thought, given my (life-long, extreme enough to cause raised eyebrows in allergists) allergy to dust mites was, Who's gonna dust them? And how sad would it be if they didn't get dusted and collected dust which would not happen to a live animal?

[dab_20]

I'm sorry, I just think it's.... disgusting. I don't know, taxidermy, freeze dried, whatever it is, it's not like you would ever do this with a family member. I also think family's that do this think it will help them, but imagine finding closure when you have the animals body to look at every day.

Just plain weird to me. To each their own I suppose.

[IRescue452]

I wonder if they give people a good talking to about the care of a freeze dried pet. I mean they can and do get mites that eat them and also their hair can fall out if you pet them too much. I don't think I'd be able to move on if I could see Autumn daily even though her being gone would be a heartbreak. I don't think clinging to a stuffed body would suit me. I also won't do individual cremation. I mean, look at how many cases are discovered of the cremation place just giving you a random handful of ashes and telling you its your loved one. Even the 9/11 victims ended up in a garbage dump when they were supposed to be cremated. Do you really think your pet's ashes are going to get back to you? I don't think so. I think they all throw them together regardless and you'll get back the amount of ashes equavalent to your pet's size worth of ashes from the pile of cremated pets.

[neko1]

I just cremated Tama a few hours ago. I shouldn't have read this thread because what I just read is very upsetting to me.

The place I used has been there for 30 years. I witnessed his cremation (and broke down and almost passed out in the process..) and I know the ashes are his, even if I didn't see them place them in the bag.

But I agree with others, stuffing is not my thing either..

I don't have a house or place to bury him, nor do I want to bury him at the memorial park. Tama only wanted to be with me and now he is here with me forever.

Just my 2 cents from someone who is dealing with the death of their furchild at this very moment....:(

[pomtzu]

I don't agree with IRescue, regarding cremation. Sure, there are places that are dishonest and just give you ashes, and not necessarily those of your pet. However, most don't operate that way. We even have a local funeral home (for people) that does pet cremations, and they are above board and squeaky clean, and would never tarnish their top notch reputation in the community by doing something so underhanded.

I once read of a guy who wanted to make sure he was getting back the ashes of his pet from a private cremation, so he put a tiny metal i.d. tag in the pet's mouth, knowing that if he didn't get this back with the ashes, then he wasn't getting his pet back. The ashes came back, and the tag was also there.

[smokey the elder]

When I had a cat cremated for the first time, I went myself instead of having the vet do it. I was allowed to witness her being placed by herself in the chamber. This was at the oldest pet cemetary in the country, so I trust them.

[Asiel]

I could never do that to one of my best furry friends, a bit too morbid for my taste. Cremation would be nice but no one does it here so we take our pets home and have our own little cemetery .. living on acreage does have advantages. If we were in town this wouldn't be permited.

[Alysser]

WOW does that ever creep me out. I think it's morbid. Not to mention, that's not how I want to remember my pet...a statue of some sort?? I'd rather remember him/her romping, playing and BREATHING. Not my idea of a nice memorial.

When Sassy died, my parents refused to bury her in the yard. We have done that with smaller pets including Star, but Sassy was different. She was cremated at some place in PA, I don't remember the name but it is also a big pet cemetery if you wanted to do that! You were able to choose if you wanted a mass cremation, private cremation, or some other options. I don't recall much but the mass one was cheaper. You were allowed to attend the cremation, bring the body, or buy a video of it for free. I personally don't think I'd be able to watch that. We did the private cremation and got her back in a very timely manner. I wanted to scatter the ashes at her favorite spot but we kept some and scattered a little bit.

I am SURE there are some dishonest places, but they would be found out. And when you're dealing in the business of death if you're being dishonest, I can bet you don't last long. Death is something so personal to some people that they will not stand for lies and dishonesty about cremation, burial, etc. I know from experience.

Anyway, when I was a kid we used to got to my Great Uncles house in Upstate NY and his hobby was taxidermy. He ordered dead birds (his specialty) off random websites and catalogs and they were sent to his house and he'd do it himself in his basement. It was pretty cool, other than the eerie feeling of the eyes watching you. He had HUNDREDS of birds from all over the world and they were very well done. He was a big time hunter to and had deer heads all over his house. When he died his collection got sent to a museum. While I guess that is different to me, still creeps me out all the same. A pet is a pet, it's not like you ever owned the wild animal.

JMHO, of course.

Asiel, I think my only qualm with burial really is that if you were to move you can't take them with you. Maybe that seems weird..but I'd always want them. The ashes are nice in that respect. I'm not quite sure of the legality of it here. I live on .25 acres right now (unfortunately), so I'd assume it wasn't legal.

[beeniesmom]

No, I don't think I'd like that at all. Having them creamated and turned into a precious gem, that's another story.