Is it that strange that I have my previous cat's ashes in a box

[prole_for_peace]

in my house? Whenever I mention it, I get strange looks from most people. But she was the BEST CAT EVER and I was devestated when I had to have her put down (she had FIP). I was going to bury her in my flowerbed but my brother brought up the fact that I might move some day. So I had her cremated instead. I keep her in a box in my closet where I can visit whenever I get my clothes in the morning. I was going to do an urn but I have an evil cat who is into EVERYTHING and I would hate to come home and have a pile of ash on the floor.

[livetohike]

1. Not at all!

I have the ashes of two of my dogs. One died in 1987 and the other in 2003 (on Valentine's Day :cry: ).

I would have the ashes of another dog too, but she died while we were on vacation in Kentucky in 2000. Long story, but she is buried on the farm of the vet who treated her.

The only thing is that I don't know what will become of these ashes once I die.....my husband and I haven't thought that far ahead.

We currently have two dogs. One turned two years old last month and the other is two years old today.

[Rhiannon12866]

8. You also have my sympathy

I know how hard it is to lose a beloved pet. I lost my cat, a year ago, today.;(

I have kept the ashes of all my animals, but I never dreamed that there would be so many. After I adopted my beloved Barney, at age 10 or 11, ten years ago last month (I had him for eight wonderful years), I began always adopting older animals from rescue. They can break your heart, since they're not with you as long, and often need more care, but they're the ones who need you most.:-)

I also currently have two dogs, aged eleven and nine, who I adopted at ages nine and eight. But they're small, so I'm hoping that they'll be with me for a very long time.
:loveya:

And I've already thought about what to do with the ashes when something happens to me. I thought about it from the very beginning. They're going with me, since I just couldn't leave them behind.:shrug:

[livetohike]

9. My sympathy to you too.

:hug: We had Ranger for almost 16 years (lab/shepherd mix). It was his litter mate we had to bury in Kentucky.

I think that is what will happen with all our pets' ashes. They will go with me when I am cremated.

[Rhiannon12866]

15. Thank you, it's hard to believe that it's been a year since I lost my cat

And more than two, since I lost Barney. I have also adopted two other cockers, Samantha and Sheena, both at age 8, since I adopted Barney, who both turned out to have seizures. That's what I meant about them needing care. After I lost Sammy, at age 12, which seemed so young to me, from the side effects of the anti-convulsant she had been on for four years, I was determined to avoid this when I learned that Sheena also had a history of seizures. I had consulted a vet, who also uses alternative medicine, for my first kitty, and for Barney. He had acupuncture to help with calcification of his spine. He prescribed herbs for Sheena, then potassium bromide, which doesn't have the side effects of phenobarbital, but I eventually lost her to cancer, at age 11. I told my vet that I feel like such a failure, but he said that it's because I adopt older animals, who may not have had the best care. *sigh*;(

It is very impressive for a lab/shepherd to live to the ripe old age of 16. You must have given him a wonderful life.:-)

I don't know what's going to happen to me, but I know that, wherever it is, my guys are going there too.:shrug:

[livetohike]

19. Ranger did a lot of hiking

:-)

I know how you feel about your pets and their ages. We had a wonderful dog Smokey who died at age 7 (lung cancer). So every day past age 7 with Ranger and his littermate Misty seemed like a gift to me.

You're giving your pets so much love and care. We all do the best we can. :hug:

[Rhiannon12866]

22. The hiking, and the great life he's had must contribute to his longevity

I took it for granted, having had two dogs that lived beyond 18. But then I lost the two with seizures, at 11 and 12. I felt pretty demoralized, believed I should have done more, but my vet said that it is often genetics, as well as early lack of care. So, I agree that we just do the best we can. It's just so sad when this isn't enough.;(

But, I guess, if you save a dog, each additional day is a blessing. Barney had more than eight additional years. What a waste that would have been. He was the light of my life!
:loveya:

I'm so sorry about Smokey. You have given each of your dogs a wonderful life and a lot of love!:hug:

[kslib]

11. Good for you!

I'm also an "old animal addict." I adopted my two cats at ages 4 (not so old) and 8. They do really seem to appreciate it so much, and they are often the first to get euthanized at the shelter. I love both my babies, but it doesn't seem fair that they are already aging (they are now 9 and 11)

[Rhiannon12866]

16. I'm grateful that you think as I do

I agree, it's the older pets who need us. If you read my post #15, right above yours, I went on far too much about most of my guys. I lost my Samantha, who had very bad seizures, to the eventual side effects of the anti-convulsant that she was taking to prevent them. That's the reason that she was given up, at age eight, because of the seizures, though I didn't know this when I first adopted her. For me, this would be a reason to step up to the plate, to make sure that my dog had the best care.:shrug:

I have since come to know a great deal about canine epilepsy, since, a month after I lost Sammy, my vet was away, so I had to go to another animal hospital to get prescription food for my other dog. When they learned that Barney was a cocker spaniel, they asked me if I wanted another one. I wasn't, since I had just lost Sam, but they had a cocker there, whose owner had died. The estate was paying to board her for a month, and she had a week left. I agreed to meet her, and she was just so excited when they brought her out, since she must have thought she was going home.:-(

I didn't take her that first night, but I couldn't get her off my mind. This is the only animal hospital in the area that will still euthanize a healthy animal if there isn't room at the shelter, and she'd already been through so much. And that's how I met my Sheena. She was also eight, and when I asked for her health history, I learned that she also had a history of seizures. What were the chances?! But I had learned, and went the alternative route with her, avoiding the life-threatening side effects of an anti-convulsant.:-)

And when I finally lost my beloved Barney, at age 18, and was just devastated, my animal-loving neighbor suggested that, next time, I should get a puppy. I told her that everyone wants puppies, but who will take an eight-year-old dog who has seizures? I've adopted two. But those were the ones who needed me.;(

Sorry to go on! Yikes! But I do, about my guys. Your cats don't sound terribly old for kitties. I know people with cats who have lived into their 20s. I sure hope that yours do. I had hoped to have my most amazing kitty, Rhiannon, for 20 years, but I lost her at age seven, after waging the good fight, acupuncture, herbs, all kinds of tests. And because she was so amazing, she just sailed through it all, rare for a cat. But we eventually lost. At least I know that I did everything. But it still hurts. Thanks for listening (I'm particularly sad, today) and also for advocating for older animals.:pals:

[virgdem]

14. I lost my beloved cat a year ago as well...

so I sympathize. Two of my cats, Cleo (who died in 2003) and Foghorn, who died exactly one year ago today are cremated and sit in beautiful earns on my fireplace mantle. I just couldn't think of another way to memorialize them any better than to have them with me in some form every day. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

[Rhiannon12866]

18. That is quite a coincidence! I sympathize, with you,as well. It is so hard

I see nothing wrong with keeping your lost loved ones with you in any way that makes it a little easier.;(

I lost my cocker spaniel, Sheena, also in 2003. My tiny Brussels Griffon, who worshiped her, was devastated. When she was suddenly not there, he absolutely panicked at even the prospect of being separated from me. But the night I brought her ashes home, in a lovely painted box, and placed them on a shelf next to the bed where he used to always sleep behind her, he immediately calmed down and went to sleep. I believe that he knew that she was back home.;(

And when I picked up the ashes of my cat, who I lost just last year, they gave them to me in a bag, and I didn't look inside until I got home. What I found totally amazed me! There was a painted box, containing her ashes, a small round stone, with her name and dates engraved, and also an imprint of her paw, a small envelope containing a scrap of her fur, a scented votive candle, with a little stand and matches, a beautifully printed copy of "The Rainbow Bridge," and a form to submit to their website, where you could post stories about your pet, and also a photograph. Isn't that amazing?!:shrug:

I was so blown away that I had to call the animal hospital to thank them. They did such a lovely job. I just wish that I'd had this for the others.;(

[Lorien]

2. No, I keep the ashes of my beloved kitty Peewee

in my wardrobe. They's sealed in a wooden box/ picture frame (I only wish I had a really good photo of him. He was terrified of cameras). I know I'll move someday, and like you, I didn't want to leave his remains behind.

[Eurobabe]

3. Heck no!

I haven't crossed that bridge yet -- it pains me to think of either of my furchildren not being around. I would do exactly the same thing, because we seem to move every 2-3 yrs. I would want them with me too. :cry:

[SiouxJ]

4. I still have Rocky's

I used to think (when he was alive) that I would someday scatter them at a place we used to frequent in the mountains near San Diego (where I used to live), but I haven't made the trip back yet. I took him there so often that I started calling it "Rocky's Meadow," so it seemed like the perfect place. I still may do it someday but for now he's sitting in a can on a desk in my office. He used to sit in my office with me all day long, so that's pretty appropriate too I guess.

Oh, and I found a cement statue of a dog at a nursery that sits out on my front deck, as a sort of memorial to him. It even kind of looks like him.

[Suziq]

5. No!

Our beloved doxie Misty, who died in the animal hospital almost 7 years ago, has a special memorial in our home complete with picture and the canister with her ashes.

We had a cat Junior, who lived to be 19 years old buried in my backyard. Now I am sorry we did that because we are definitely going to be moving in the future.

Currently have two cats and another doxie who will be cremated when their time comes.

[RebelOne]

6. Nothing strange about it.

I have the ashes of my Rottweiler that died in 1999. And you can the ashes in an urn and then have it sealed. At least, that's what the funeral homes do with people ashes. The lid is sealed so it can't be opened.

[Rhiannon12866]

7. It's certainly not strange to me

I have kept the ashes of any animal that I have ever lost. They mean that much to me. I didn't like the idea, at first, but it was winter and the ground was frozen when I lost my first dog, years ago, and the animal hospital told me that I had no other choice. I could either choose to keep the ashes, or not. So I have always done this, and am glad that I did, since your point about moving is a good one.:-)

In fact, I am in the process of doing just that, and have just moved a very few things, but one thing that came with me first were the ashes of my beloved cat, Rhiannon. I lost her at age seven, despite fighting the good fight, and she is the most amazing cat that I will ever know. So I just couldn't leave her behind, even for a short while.;(

So I understand. And you also have my deepest sympathy.:hug:

[China_cat]

10. Have you ever thought

of having some of the cremains used in a painting? Portable, visible and not easily messed up.

[Beaverhausen]

12. I have my sweet Carmine in a can

I don't want to bury him by himself so when- god forbid- another one goes to the great condo in the sky I can bury them together.

[SW FL Dem]

13. Not at all

I have the ashes of my two beloved dogs in containers in my dresser. We have moved several times and I can't imagine having buried them in a yard and having to leave them.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

17. Nope...mine are on the mantle in the den

now the big boy I have now...he's not going anywhere for a while I hope

[InvisibleTouch]

20. Not strange at all.

My first dog is buried in the yard of my grandmother's house, and it's one of the things that ties me to the place. Numerous pets are buried in my mother's garden, but I don't think that house will be in our family forever, as I have few emotional ties to it otherwise.

I think I would probably keep ashes too, though I'd want to cycle them back into nature at some point. But only when I'm living in a place where I know I'll remain for the rest of my life.

[Freebird12004]

21. My Golden Retriever, "Lord Byron" will always be with me.

I was honored by his presence in my life for only 10 years and 3 months. The day, 7/30/01, that I had to take him to the vet to end his life I had him cremated because I didn't want to have to leave him alone, he always seemed to miss me when he had to stay home without me. He is in an urn on my dresser. Just recently - there was a decision to one-day sell this house and move on. So, I'm very happy that I won't have to leave him behind when it's time for me to move.

[underseasurveyor]

23. Nope. I have this guy's ashes in a nice wooden box in our living room.

Unhook the latch, flip open the lid and this picture of him is there.


Bubbies was our, my sons kitty really, black and white Manx. I use to call him my big tough guy with the little tiny voice. Except at three am when he wanted outside, then his demur sweet voice turned into a yeeeowl could wake the dead and he would go on for hours until he got his way.
We lost him Jan. 8th 2004
Miss that dude a lot:cry:

I wish I had done this before with my other pets but I will from now on.
Barring anything terrible happening I won't have to worry about it for a long long time.

[calico1]

24. It is not strange at all.

I have two sets of ashes. One belonging to my calico, Ditto, who I lost 1 1/2 years ago. She was 17 1/2. The other belongs to my Rottie boy, Jack who became suddenly ill this January of a blood disease. He was only 3 1/2 and it really broke our hearts. They both loved sleeping in bed with us. We have a sort bookcase type shelf on our headboard for our waterbed and that's where my babies are. Near where they liked to be. I have 5 other cats and we recently adopted a Rottie girl from a rescue so we still have lots of furkids. But our two departed babies we like to keep near us. I don't think its strange at all.

[Gelliebeans]

25. It is a wonderful way to remember a pet

We lost our beloved "Jake" (he was a 140 pound rotty) and "Zoe" (our first ragdoll kitty) in 2004. She was only 23 months old. :( Poor old Jake wasn't able to walk anymore from hip dysplasia and Zoe died unexpectly of HCM.
We created a picture collage for each of them and keep their ashes in beautiful cedar boxes.
If someone was ever offended about keeping a beloved pets ashes then shame on them.
The cedar boxes come with a lock and a placard with our pets name on it!
I wish I had done this with my very first cat but I didn't know we could have it done.
It was a good to have my son grieve over his beloved pets and be able to remember them happy and loved. He is an only child and our animals have become more like siblings than just pets.

[RadicalMom]

26. We have all of ours in boxes, too, in a drawer in the bedroom, along

with a baby I miscarried, and my husband's aunt's ashes. We seem to be the ones in the family who end up having to scatter them according to various wishes. My husband's aunt's are to be scattered in a lake near Yosemite someday when we make it up there again. We don't have my brother's ashes here, but I'm supposed to take them to Yosemite, too, to a particular overlook. We scattered my dad's in a canyon he loved in Tucson. That was very hard. I've told my husband for years that I wanted ours to be mixed with the animals' and the baby's and mixed with some Sacrete, for a wall in the garden someplace. Too goofy maybe. But not as goofy as some of my other ideas. Before Michael Eisner ruined Disney, I used to tell him I wanted mine scattered at Disneyland, from the Dumbo ride. Just take the lid off the box, and let the centrifugal force carry them on out. Weeeeeeeee!!!!! Or scattered over the mall so I could be eternally SHOPPING!