Pets

Pet Loss – I Feel Your Pain

March 13, 2019 urngarden.com

Yesterday I took a call from a pet owner who lost their sweet 16 year old Shih Tzu last week. She found the heart shaped pet urn with angel wings and had some questions about the engraving.

She sounded young on the phone, but was a “mature” woman and her story was that growing up, her mother never allowed dogs. Ever. Because she’d never had a dog, she passed that on to her child. At some point the little girl wanted a lop eared bunny and obsessed over it.

lop ear bunny sketch Charles Darwin — lop ear bunny sketch by Charles Darwin 1868

Teachers at her school mentioned to the parents that she talked about getting a bunny often. The parents decided to go bunny shopping. Well, turns out that this fluffy bunny grew into a large aggressive rabbit measuring about 14 inches long. It did not like to be handled and if you did, you better wear gloves, like the kind you would wear to handle a falcon. It was a disaster.

On shopping trips to the neighborhood pet store to get rabbit food, her daughter would always check out the puppies and plead for mom to come take a look. The answer was always “no, let’s just get the food and go.” But one day the universe shifted, and mother strolled over to take a look. She let the little girl hold the puppy. And then? She did. The puppy nuzzled and kissed her neck. She fell in love.

In the car on the way home, the two called Dad at work, “How much do you love us?” the daughter asked. “How much is it going to cost me?” he replied. After the girl pled her case, he agreed to stop by the store and take a look.

As children age and spread their wings, the dogs become our kids, and that’s what happened here. Even HER aging mom fell in love with that dog. Later in life, the grandmother moved in as she needed more care. Laying on the couch, the pup would snuggle with her and lay near her head. She was surprised that her mother allowed it. She’d been smitten too.

“Are you ready for another dog?” I asked. It’s only been a week, but with older dogs, the care they require can take a toll at the end. Physically, emotionally, and financially. “Not yet.” she said.

She’d spent the last couple of years running back and forth to the vet. This breed tends to have a lot of eye problems as they age. And after this past week, she was tired.

Believe it or not, the conversation took a turn to online shopping and she tipped me to her favorite website for clothes, which I am terrified of buying without touching and trying on. I was excited to get a highly recommended lead, and after our call, I checked it out, and hated everything! Not my style. It was interesting though, to make a solid connection with this person thousands of miles away, feel the joy and pain in her world, and be worlds apart on fashion, which most people form first impressions on. It reminded me about the old “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” adage and how true it is.

Anyway, about the white heart she picked. It’s a medium size that comes in 3 colors, white (that’s what she picked), pearl blue, and lavender.

purple heart urn for ashes pet or people

They engrave beautifully, although you are limited on how much text you can have. She was torn between paw prints and angel wings, but decided on the wings for her little angel, because that’s what she was.

8 Easy-to-Keep New Year’s Resolutions for Good Pet Health

December 31, 2018 Kim Stacey

vintage new years postcard dog

Hardly anyone admits to making New Year’s resolutions. Personally, I think it’s because we fear being told how silly (and ineffective) it is to do so. (In 2014, Business Insider reported less than ½ of all Americans (45%) make such promises, “only about 8 % succeed,)

Still, I brooch the subject here with high hopes. Certainly the altruistic, loving qualities of resolutions regarding our pet’s health seem to add a greater purpose to the act. Here are 8 easy-to-implement New Year’s resolution ideas intended to make 2019 your pet’s healthiest year ever:

1. We are all what we eat. So, this year, resolve to feed your pet a high-quality, balanced diet in the correct amounts. You might consider making your own pet food – there are dozens of recipes to try online.

2. Keep a close eye on your pet’s weight. I can’t tell you how many overweight dogs and cats I know! Just as it is with us; once a pet has gained too much weight, it can be hard to motivate them to make changes. And, just as it is with us, pet obesity causes lots of health problems and shortens our pet’s lives.

active dogs vignette

3. Give your pets access to regular exercise. Take your dog for daily walks; get out the Frisbee and play “fetch.” It will be good for the both of you. If “outside” isn’t an option, there are lots of cool things to do to exercise your dog indoors. Get the fun started: check out the Cesar’s Way online article, “How to Exercise Your Dog Indoors.” When it comes to cats, I recommend “10 Cat Exercises Your Pet Will Enjoy.”

4. Keep your pet’s mouth clean. Again, just like us, your pet’s dental health is very important. Perhaps the most effective way to keep your pet’s teeth clean is to use a toothbrush; but a soft cloth will do. Talk to your vet to learn about additional pet dental care options.

5. Don’t allow your pets to roam the neighborhood unsupervised. The wisdom of this resolution is obvious; it’s about pet safety; after all, there are too many dangers in the wide world your pet knows little or nothing about…and the ignorance could easily get them killed.

6. Keep all vaccines current. Of course, that implies regular visits to your veterinarian. However, it’s recommended you schedule yearly pet heath checkups.

7. Spay or neuter your pet. If your pet isn’t already neutered, resolve to get it done in 2019.

8. Keep pets free of fleas, ticks, heartworm, and other parasites. Not just for their comfort and yours, but for your pet’s health.

That’s it! I told you these pet health New Year’s resolution ideas were easy to implement. Some are even fun!
And all give you the opportunity to build a closer, more loving relationship with your pet. Talk about a win-win!

I think December 31st and its companion holiday, January 1st, are my two favorite days of the year. Certainly, they’re better than my birthday; for me, even Christmas pales in comparison. That’s because of the tabula rasa quality of the holiday; each of us gets to wipe the slate clean, and start fresh. It’s a time when we give ourselves permission to ‘mix things up’ – all in the desire to be happier, or healthier; to life a ‘better life.’ It’s not surprising that we’d want to do the same for the pets we love so dearly.

We’re Putting 2018 Behind Us…and Looking Forward to the New Year!

This is our last post for 2018. It’s been a delight for us –this is especially true for me–I love writing about topics such as those I’ve covered this year – talk about fun! I can only hope you’ve enjoyed the time you’ve spent with us here in “The Garden.”

Next year promises to be equally as adventurous – so be sure to come back to join in the fun. Before I leave, I’d like to share this thought, from 19th century Irish actor, Cyril Cusak – as, in my humble opinion, it’s one of the best and wisest I’ve ever heard:

“If you asked me for my New Year Resolution, it would be to find out who I am.”

vintage german new years postcard

Until next time…be well and happy. Above all, be gentle with yourself and those you love.

Sources:
PetMD’s Five Life-Lengthening Health Tips for Your Pet
AVMA 7 Things You Can Do to Keep Your Pet Healthy

Beauty from the Ashes: Pet Keepsake Urns and Pet Cremation Jewelry

December 11, 2018 Kim Stacey

There’s no denying the gift-giving season is upon us. And, as always; I’m totally unprepared. In truth, I have not bought a single gift. If you’re in the same situation – and someone on your gift list has chosen to keep the ashes of a deceased pet – consider giving them a pet keepsake urn or a selection from our collection of pet cremation jewelry. Such a gift would be a meaningful way to both honor their deceased pet and help to ease their grief. Let me inspire you with a look at Urn Garden’s pet urn collection.

Suspend your disbelief at the appropriateness of such a gift – just for a minute. Remember the best gift is often totally unexpected. And it’s often something we wouldn’t buy for ourselves; in large part because we don’t realize how much we’d benefit from the purchase. So, keep your mind open, okay?

Pet Keepsake Urns
So, I hear you asking: “just what is a keepsake urn?” The key is in the word “keepsake” – a “small item given or kept as a memento.” Its intention then, is to call up sweet memories; which is one purpose of a pet keepsake urn. Another is to allow us to keep our loved one physically close to us, in an urn we can easily hold in our two hands. For me, I have a small marble cylinder, that is canister shaped and I used it store a lock of fur that I cut off of my collie before he died. He had the most magnificent coat, and I wanted to keep a reminder of him. Keepsake urns, including pet keepsake urns, are perfect for ash sharing as well.

Consider the Angel Wings Urn for Ashes. It can be engraved with up to two lines of text (of 18 characters each). It comes with the elegant display stand. It’s a good size for small to medium pets and in place of the angel wings, many pet owners opt for paw prints instead. This popular heart shape will be available after the first of the year and comes in blue and purple as well.

Paw print heart urn for pets

Here’s another pet keepsake urn worthy of consideration. The Raku Feather Small Urn is one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted pottery by Raku artisans here in the United States. You can learn more about the production process of Raku cremation urns by reading “Expertly Hand-Crafted Raku Urns Made in the U.S.A.”

raku pottery small urn for ashes

Pet Cremation Jewelry
The idea mentioned earlier; that of keeping a beloved family member or friend “close,” lies behind the rise of cremation jewelry.

Certainly, it can be very useful to us as we move forward in our life without their physical presence. If you’d like to know more, read “Why Do People Buy Cremation Jewelry?”– which is just one of many ‘good reads’ in the Urn Garden Learning Center.

Men’s Cremation Jewelry

Oddly enough, when asked to think of cremation jewelry, folks usually think it’s popular only with women. But, you’d be wrong; cremation jewelry for men is also sought-after. That’s why Urn Garden has cultivated (pun intended!) a wide variety of cremation jewelry. Let’s take a quick look at one of the most popular pieces of men’s cremation jewelry, the Titanium Urn Bracelet. I just love its simplicity, its luxurious, weighty feel and the fact that it’s made in the USA. Time after time, men will gravitate to this style.

There are others too, of course. Check out our collection of Cremation Jewelry for Men, where you’ll see many unique items, like the Men’s Cross Urn Ring and the popular Silver Peace Sign pendant, which can be engraved with up to three characters. Again, I love its simplicity.

This time of year can be difficult, especially if you’ve recently lost a loved one. A thoughtfully-chosen gift of pet cremation jewelry or a pet cremation urn is a wonderful way to show them you truly care.

America’s First Pet Cemetery

December 4, 2018 Kim Stacey

There’s a little pet cemetery close to where I live; when I was able to drive, I passed what I now know–thanks to an internet search – to be Pine Knoll Pet Cemetery at least 1,000 times over the years.

Oddly enough, I never stopped to walk through the grounds (which is my usual habit); mostly because of its neglected, disused, appearance. It didn’t feel like a sacred space.

There is, it seems, a very good reason for the shape it’s in; the Yelp page (where I found these images), clearly states it’s closed. And certainly there’s very little maintenance done on the grounds by family members of the deceased pets buried there, or anyone you could label as ‘staff.’

The Opposite End of the Spectrum

That can’t be said about America’s first pet cemetery, Hartsdale Pet Cemetery and Crematory, located in Hartsdale, New York.

Hartsdale-Pet-Cemetery

According to the website, the first burial took place in in 1896, but the Hartsdale Canine Cemetery (as it was originally called) wasn’t incorporated until 1914. By that time the founder, Dr. Samuel Johnson, a veterinarian, had become widely-recognized as a “pioneer in the field of animal welfare.” He was a busy man with a private practice, while at the same time, being instrumental in founding the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals” according to the cemetery’s about page on the website.

Certainly, the grounds of this legendary pet cemetery are beautifully groomed – and the facility still has room (despite the fact there are over “80,000 dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, reptiles, monkeys, horses, a lion, and even some humans buried on its five acres (source).

What does it cost to have your pet buried there? According the the Hartsdale site, the price varies according to pet size: it will cost about $500 for a Chihuahua and closer to $750 for a German Shepherd, not including the headstone.

While Hartsdale is well over 100 years old, it’s not the oldest pet cemetery in the world. That accolade is reserved for ‘Le Cimetiere des Chiens et Autres Animaux Domestiques’ (The Cemetery for Dogs and Other Domestic Animals) located in a suburb of Paris.

Paris Dog Cemetery

The cemetery was founded by two men, Georges Harmois, an attorney, and a journalist Marguerite Durand, in response to an 1898 law forbidding the disposal of dead dogs in rubbish bins. Unlike Dr. Johnson, these two men started the project by forming a company –in 1899 – awarding this Parisian landmark the title of ‘world’s oldest pet cemetery.’ Both look inviting, don’t they? Perfect places for a reverential Sunday stroll.

Paris Dog Cemetery

Is there a Pet Cemetery Near You?

To find out the answer to that question, all you need do is to type “pet cemeteries near me” into your favorite search engine. I did just that and found Loved Pets, a pet cemetery and cremation service operating in Monterey County. Naturally, if I had need of their services, I’d do my “due diligence” by checking social review listings, like their Yelp page.

With no pets in the house, it didn’t really impact me much. Still, curiosity got the better of me (mainly because the reviews on their website date from 2013). Happily, their Yelp reviews are relatively current and most give the firm “5-stars.” And if you love your pets as much as I’ve loved mine, I’m sure you’ll agree; that’s the only rating that will do!

Pet Hospice, Thoughts and Observations

November 27, 2018 Kim Stacey

As anyone who has already read Courage’s Story: A Pet Quality-of-Life Lesson knows, the care given to Courage during his final year was –at no time – pet hospice care. No; instead we did my utmost to keep him with us as long as possible. And yes; now I sorely regret our decision; it was self-serving. I’d like to make some amends by offering this post on hospice for pets; to best support you in making the choice to provide such care for your ailing pet.

What is Pet Hospice Care?

Pet hospice care, also known as “palliative care” or “veterinary hospice”, is focused on the patient’s needs as well as those of the individual family members. Just like hospice for us humans, pet hospice uses a team approach to supervise the end-of-life care provided to the patient. The practice is “dedicated to maintaining comfort and quality of life for the terminally ill or geriatric pet until natural death occurs or the family elects euthanasia.” (Source)

While rather ‘new’ in the scheme of things, pet hospice is a legitimate practice accepted around the world, as evidenced by the existence of groups like the International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care. The association describes hospice care for pets as a way to avoid premature euthanasia. The palliative care of the patient (providing relief from the symptoms, pain, and mental/physical stress) reduces the pet’s suffering and allows for a higher quality of life for all involved.

The Benefits of Hospice for Pets

The major goal of pet hospice is to preserve –if not enhance– the already-existing closeness between family members and their dying pet. As a result, all decisions made must support the well-being of the whole family. The end of your dog or cat’s life is a time when friends and neighbors can assist in patient care, making it a fulfilling ‘community’ act of love.

The time spent in providing hospice care for your pet has another benefit: it gives everyone time to accept the truth of his or her impending death; time to say what needs to be said and express your love in hundreds of ways.

Pet hospice can also be a psychological comfort to anyone who abhors the idea of pet euthanasia. Whatever your reason for choosing pet hospice, know this: it’s a big commitment. I know this firsthand, as I was a hospice home visitor for about three years, working to support family member caregivers in providing round-the-clock hospice care for someone they loved.

There’s another benefit: the pet hospice experience can teach participants much about what can be called “dying with acceptance and grace.”

The First Step: Find a Hospice Veterinarian

Out of curiosity, I did a quick internet search using “hospice vet Santa Cruz” as my search phrase. The effort yielded just one such practitioner in the area; you may find none working in your locale. However, I’m not worried as I suspect your current vet is familiar with the practice and can be of great value. After all, he or she already knows a lot about your pet and your family dynamics. While that was challenging, I’ve got to be honest; providing hospice care for someone you love –someone you’ve known for a very long time – is a wholly different, more difficult experience. I think it might simply be because a human being, unlike your pet dog or cat, knows death is coming. And heaven knows; we each have our own feelings about that. Sometimes death is gracefully embraced, but most often we dread both death and what it brings. Our sweet pets don’t share our emotions on the subject.

Loving and Letting Go is Never Easy

If you’ve recently experienced the death of a beloved animal companion, my heart goes out to you. I know from experience it can be challenging to deal with the grief of pet loss; perhaps the tips in a recent post, “Easing a Broken Heart: Pet Loss Grief” can help you through the tougher moments.