Okay, so yesterday was a tough day. My old buddy, Buster, my golden retriever of 12 years, finally gave in. It was expected, he’d been slowing down, but still… it hit hard. I knew I needed to figure out what to do, and honestly, “deceased pet care” wasn’t something I’d ever really thought about before.
First thing I did was just… sit with him. Sounds weird, maybe, but I needed that time. Wrapped him in his favorite blanket. After a while, I knew I had to start making arrangements.
Making the Call
I called my vet first. They were really understanding, thank goodness. They gave me a couple of options: I could bring Buster in, and they would handle the arrangements, or I could contact a pet cremation service directly. I wasn’t ready to let go of him just yet, so I decided to do some research on my own.
Finding a Service
I started searching online. Found a bunch of places, some local, some not so much. It was kind of overwhelming. I focused on reading reviews – wanted to see what other people’s experiences were like. I looked for words like “compassionate,” “respectful,” “caring.”
- Checked a few websites.
- Compared the pricing.
- Looked the distance.
I narrowed it down to two places that seemed decent and were reasonably close. Ended up calling both of them. The first one… I don’t know, the person on the phone just sounded rushed, kind of impersonal. The second place, though, the woman I spoke with was incredibly kind. She listened, answered all my questions, and didn’t pressure me at all.
Making Arrangements
I decided to go with the second place. They offered a few different options:
- Communal cremation: Where multiple pets are cremated together. This was the least expensive option, but I wanted something more personal.
- Individual cremation: Buster would be cremated alone, but I wouldn’t get his ashes back.
- Private cremation: Buster would be cremated alone, and I would get his ashes back. This is what I chose.
They offered to come pick him up, which was a huge relief. I scheduled a time for the next morning. They also asked if I wanted any keepsakes – a paw print, a bit of fur. I opted for the paw print.
Saying Goodbye (Again)
The next morning, they arrived. Two people, very gentle and respectful. They let me have a few more minutes with Buster before they took him. It was hard, but I felt like I was doing the right thing for him.
They said it would take a few days to get the ashes back. They called me when they were ready, and I went to pick them up. They had put Buster’s ashes in a nice little wooden box, along with the paw print. It’s still tough, but having him home, in a way, brings some comfort.
This whole experience was incredibly difficult, but I’m glad I took the time to find a service that treated Buster, and me, with respect. It’s a hard part of pet ownership, but it’s something we all have to face eventually. Hopefully, my experience can help someone else going through the same thing.
