Is Pet Cremation the Right Option for You?
Is Pet Cremation the Right Option for You?
by Mark Greer ? 2006, All Rights Reserved
Because our pets are members of our families, pet loss is a tragic event. Many pet owners find themselves unprepared when their pet ages or becomes ill. If you are in one of these situations, or if you’ve recently suffered the sudden loss of your pet, you may be wondering if pet cremation is the right option for you. Allow me to answer several frequently asked questions regarding pet cremation so you can make a confident choice in the matter.
Why Should I Choose Pet Cremation?
When your pet is cremated, his/her remains are returned so that you may place them in a pet urn. This allows you the ability of keeping your pet close should you and your family relocate. It also offers the flexibility of burying some ashes or scattering some ashes in your yard or your pet’s favorite place while keeping the rest in a pet urn.
Is Cremation Just for Small Pets?
No. Cremation is available for pets of every size, from birds to horses.
How Do I Locate A Pet Crematory?
Your veterinarian can usually recommend a crematory or you may find one in your local telephone directory.
What Does the Process of Pet Cremation Involve?
Cremation is performed using a special furnace called a cremation chamber. The process requires extreme heat (usually 1500 ? 1600 degrees Fahrenheit) along with evaporation in the chamber to reduce the body to its basic elements, which are referred to as cremated remains or cremains. Also commonly called ashes, the cremains are in fact bone fragments, which are reduced further in size until they resemble a sand-like substance.
Are There Different Types of Cremation?
Yes, and because there are different types, you’ll want to confirm your preference with your vet or crematory. You’ll need to consider which one of the following methods best aligns with your wishes.
Private Cremation ? A pet is placed in the chamber alone, with no other pets. Upon completion of the cremation, the pet?s cremains are removed from the chamber, processed and returned to the owners for transferring to the pet urn of their choice.
Viewing Cremation - The owner, family and/or friends are permitted to be present in a viewing room during the cremation. This option is not available at all crematories so you’ll want to confirm availability prior to making arrangements if this is your preferred method.
Individual Cremation ? Pets share space in the cremation chamber with other pets. Each pet is separated from the others in the chamber so that their cremains can be returned to the proper owners.
Communal (Mass) Cremation ? Multiple pets are cremated together. This option does not allow for separate cremains. The pets’ ashes are not returned to the owner. It is common practice for these cremains to be disposed of commercially.
How Can I Be Sure I’ll Get My Pet’s Cremains?
Your veterinarian can supply the contact information for crematories he/she has a relationship with. Using a reputable crematory can assure you and your pet are both treated with respect.
How Do I Transfer the Ashes To A Permanent Pet Urn?
Your pet’s cremains will usually arrive in a temporary urn sealed in a plastic bag. The ashes are bagged to prevent accidental loss should the pet urn be dropped or damaged. The bag also helps to prevent damage from moisture. It is preferable to transfer the entire plastic bag of cremains into the permanent pet urn.
If you find it uncomfortable to place the ashes into the permanent urn, family members, friends, or your veterinarian can likely provide the support you need by helping to complete the transfer for you. Most permanent pet urns are not complicated to open having a simple panel with just a few screws.
While pet loss is always a difficult experience, knowing your pet will remain close to you can be enormously reassuring. By understanding the various aspects of pet cremation, you will be prepared to make a choice that will bring you comfort and peace.
Mark Greer is President of Angel Ashes, offering unique pet urns that provide a lasting tribute for your cherished friend. If you're considering <a href="http://www.angelashes.com/petcremation.htm">pet cremation</a>, visit us at <a href="http://www.angelashes.com">http://www.angelashes.com</a>. Our selection includes tasteful wood urns, our signature angel urns and others.
Free leasing a horse…is it REALLY free?
A little something I ve learned about free leasing a horse in our case it DEFINITELY wasn t free.
Several years ago we decided to enter into a free lease agreement with a woman who advertised that her aged horse was bombproof and suitable for an absolute beginner This suited us because we were absolute beginners and we wanted an affordable and safe way for our daughter, who was horse crazy, to learn about horses. It seemed perfect. A requirement of the agreement was that he was to be left stabled where he was, so, as we had no where to put a horse anyway it seemed like a perfect situation.
We went over to see the horse and he was beautiful we fell in love with him (as his crafty owner no doubt knew we would) A deal was made. She threw in the bait and reeled us in good and proper. To begin with it seemed fair enough that we buy the hay after all our daughter would be learning a lot of valuable information from this experience. As time went by, we were informed that we would have to pay for the dentist and farrier as well (we did)
We were by now, willing to do anything to continue our relationship with this beautiful old ex racehorse. Especially seeing as it wouldn t be too long before our daughter was able to ride him well as soon as he was over his temporary lameness that was. In the mean time, my daughter got to work tirelessly cleaning up after the old fellow (and his owner s other two horses as well). I know you are probably thinking things like idiots suckers etc. however, please understand that as beginners we weren t aware that this wasn t how it was meant to be. We thought that we owed her a debt of gratitude. We wanted to be a part of the horse world SO much but had neither the funds nor the dwelling nor the experience to even entertain the idea, so we just did what she wanted and for a long time even looked up to her for her knowledge and experience.
As agreed, we were buying the hay (she told us it was $15.00 a bale) We always gave her the money and she picked up the hay. What we didn t know was that we were also supplying the hay for her other 2 horses as well. She was charging us $15.00 a bale and buying it for $5.00 a bale. Keep in mind that this free lease was now costing us around $60.00 per week as she was also charging us $30.00 for stabling (we found out that she had a deal with the property owner and she got a discount because she had 3 horses stabled there stabling for 3 horses was costing her $30.00 per week yep we were paying for all her horses AGAIN.
One morning she called our house to inform us that the hinges on the horse s stable needed replacing and (like the fools we really were at the time) we went down to the local rural supplies barn and bought lovely strong hinges (another $40.00) and then my husband fitted them. Meanwhile our daughter was still cleaning up poo, cleaning the stables, changing the water daily and still no riding.
We started to become a little suspicious when she wouldn t allow us to bring anyone to see our horse. She became very insistent that we did not have any conversations with the stable owner either (This was because he didn t know that we were leasing the horse in the first place if he did she would not have had her discount on stabling any more) We weren t allowed to visit at all unless she was present.
Then we decided to buy the hay ourselves one day and discovered what she was doing. It wasn t long before we had her whole little scam worked out and found out that she d done it before in fact she did it all the time. As soon as the victims found out what she was up to and dumped her she went fishing for a new sucker. Needless to say we learned a harsh lesson and were left feeling ripped off and red faced. As there was no written contract (another mistake) we weren t obliged to continue and we didn t.
Looking back on it, several years later and now owning 2 horses of our own, I feel very embarrassed to admit that we were so gullible, but while ever there are inexperienced people out there who are blinded by horse love and sly conniving people who are willing to take advantage of them to suit their own needs I guarantee we won t be the last. Just take heed, make sure you are aware of all the rules and what will be expected of you AND GET IT IN WRITING. Don t get caught like us because honestly, there are many people willing to rip you off if you are willing to let them.
Name: Cheryl Location: NSW Australia Interests: Horses, writing, reading,singing http://www.stablelife.net
Australian Terrier
The Australian Terrier is one of the smallest of the terrier dog group. It was originally bred in Australia around 1885 as a working dog to guard mines and to tend sheep. The Australian Terrier is a healthy and hardy breed. They are long-living to 15 years or more and free of any major hereditary defects.
They have a rough-textured straight coat 2in. to 3in. long with colorings ranging from silver- or blue-black through to tan with a distinctive soft-haired topknot on their head.
The Australian Terrier is tough and cheeky, and stands 9in to 11in high. However, like many other terrier breeds, in its own mind it is a much larger dog and is quite fearless. It is energetic and loyal and will display great affection to its family. It is confident and curious, has keen hearing and eyesight and therefore makes a useful watchdog. Because it likes to please its master is can be more easily trained than some other terriers.
Unlike many other terrier breeds the Australian Terrier does not usually display aggression towards other dogs although they may chase small animals outside the home. They can occasionally display wariness towards strangers although they are not excessively suspicious. They travel well and can be somewhat easier to train than other terrier types although their training needs to be strict; their self-assured nature can make them want to follow their own ideas rather than yours!
Australian terriers make good apartment dogs. They are adaptable and will remain active indoors but will require outdoor exercise and, like all terriers, need to be walked on a leash due to their tendency to chase other animals.
The Australian Terrier sheds little or no hair and will not require clipping except perhaps around the eyes and ears when blunt-nosed scissors should be used. Regular brushing is recommended. This will stimulate natural oil secretion from the skin which will help to develop a high gloss to the coat. Clip the toenails regularly. Australian Terriers do not require washing more than once a month. More frequent washing will tend to make their tough coat go lank.
Your Australian Terrier will consider himself to be a part of your family and will be a loyal and loving companion.
Visit the <a href="http://australianterrier.blogspot.com">Australian Terrier</a> blog for tips on grooming and caring for your Australian Terrier and if you are interested in Bedlington Terriers check out the <a href="http://bedlingtonterrier.blogspot.com/">Bedlington Terrier</a> blog
Bringing Home A New Pet
Make sure your new baby starts off with healthy food and treats. It all starts now. Once you cultivate certain eating habits, it s almost impossible to break them, especially with cats. It is not uncommon for a cat to get hooked on one food only. If that food is a good food then you lucked out. If it is not a good food, conversion may be extremely difficult for you and your cat. When your dog doesn’t want to eat his breakfast or dinner, don’t let him persuade you to add something to the food or find something more desirable to eat. If he seems as healthy and happy as usual, chances are that he just isn’t hungry; his body doesn’t need the food. He will eat it later or the next day. Once you add something to the food, you will create a picky eater and possibly jeopardize his nutrition. In other words, once you’ve done your home work and selected the best food and treats for your pet, dog or cat, be prepared to stand up to any challenge they may give you. Remember that the food and treats you select will help determine your pet’s fate. Make sure it is premium dog and/or cat food and treats.
Teach Boundaries. From the first day, determine where your pet can or cannot go and things you simply don’t want your pet doing. Pets are creatures of habit. Once they do something a few times, they tend to continue that behavior. Once you determine your boundaries, stick to them, even if they break your heart. Remember that what may seem cute now (chewing on pillows for example) will be disastrous later on! Realistically, many of the boundaries we set will be trial and error. Sometimes it takes bad behavior for us to take a look at a situation, declare it out of hand and make rules that will change it. Pets can get mighty creative in their curiosities and in their rebellions.
House breaking. Of course there will be accidents; - however, the goal is to complete toilet training. Cats are easy. Bring your kitten to the cat box and put her in it. As long as she knows where the box is, toilet training will be accomplished. Dogs take their toilet habits more seriously, and so should you. There are many methods of toilet training but sticking to the same regimen is key and rewarding with a treat and or a kiss ensures success.
Obedience training = A well trained dog. Summer obedience classes are fun. These necessary classes are given by humane societies, veterinarians, or trainers. They socialize dogs so that they get along with other dogs and people. They also teach the basics for good behavior and show you how to be the head of the household.
Pick a talented vet. Your veterinarian is critical to your new pet’s health. General check ups, vaccines, flea control and heart worm preventive must be taken seriously. Select a Veterinarian you feel comfortable with. Visit the veterinary hospital first. If the staff is friendly and the hospital smells good, you are on the right track. Ask to meet one of the veterinarians. If you both get along, then you probably found your pet a family doctor. Don’t select your veterinarian just based on location.
Lori Matthews studies health, nutrition and wellness. Enjoys writing articles on health for both people and pets. Please visit <a href="http://www.premium4pets.net">Lifes Abundance Dog Food</a> for more information.
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