Pet Mortician

[wolf_Q]

I was talking to one of the groomers I work with today. She said she used to work with a groomer who would groom dead pets. (No, she didn't actually witness it, the groomer did it after-hours).

I guess a few people wanted their pets to look their very best after they had passed. It kind of freaked me out picturing it, but when you think about it, I guess it's about the same thing as a human mortician.

Thoughts on the subject?

[Kater]

Never knew pet morticians existed! I'm assuming if they were groomed by the moritician that they weren't going to be cremated but were to be put in a casket and buried, do you agree?

Personally, for pets and myself I'd choose cremation.

[Crikit]

eeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwww, that's a little high on the ick factor.

[All Creatures Great And Small]

Interesting that you posted this thread just as I have finished preparing a dead pet for burial here . Laura's ratty Peanut just passed tonight, and as usual with our pets, she will be buried in a private ceremony in the backyard tomorrow. We always prepare a nice box for them with shavings and lots of their favorite treats to take to the afterlife (kind of like the Egyptians did). So I don't think it's too freaky to groom a dead pet. I personally don't have any problem handling dead pets, other than crying my eyes out while I'm doing so. I think it's nice that someone doesn't mind working with other people's deceased pets. Yes, it's very much like a human mortician - I always admire how people can do that line of work.

[Miss Meow]

I'm sorry about Peanut

I couldn't do that line of work. Any death upsets me and I wouldn't be able to keep emotional distance, even with other people's pets.

I wouldn't use that service for my pets, but if it helps others mourn the loss of their beloved animals, then it's a good thing.

[Twisterdog]

I own a grooming shop, and I've never heard of any groomer doing that. It makes sense that some people would want it done, I guess, I've just never heard of it before.

Nope, not me, I would lose it completely. I can't deal with dead animals at all, I'm a big bawling mess.

I personally can't imagine why you would want your dead dog groomed. It's not as if people have big, open-casket funerals for dogs, like they do for people, where hundreds of people are viewing the body. But, to each his/her own, I suppose.

[micki76]

A someone who was going to be a mortician, but couldn’t cut it in mortician school, I think it’s great. Every living thing deserves to look their best on their final day, and be remembered looking like they always did.

I personally cremate my pets, but we have a large pet cemetery here where I live and people can always be seen visiting their beloved pets in the cemetery. Some go there on a regular basis. Perhaps I should look into whether they have a groomer there, I’d be happy to do it if there was ever anyone who wanted their pet groomed before burial.

I wonder if they do any of the other things a human’s mortician does?

[RubyMutt]

Originally posted by All Creatures Great And Small
Laura's ratty Peanut just passed tonight, and as usual with our pets, she will be buried in a private ceremony in the backyard tomorrow. We always prepare a nice box for them with shavings and lots of their favorite treats to take to the afterlife (kind of like the Egyptians did).

I'm sorry to hear about Peanut

We have always done the same with our pets who have passed. We get them a nice box and bury them with their food bowl, faovrite blankie, toys, etc. Although, I have never groomed a pet after they passed. It's too hard to look at them I think it's nice that there is someone out there who is willing to do it for others.

[Tonya]

I don't want myself groomed let alone my pets after death. This kinda goes back to Anna's thread. I think it's morbid and bad memories to have your last glimpse of a loved one when they're dead. I'd rather keep their live happy images in my head.