If you had a dog for 17 years and had him/her put to sleep due to illness,?

Question

and had him/her cremated, would you keep the ashes?

Answer 1

How strange. My mother is dealing with this very issue right now. She had her 16 1/2 year-old beagle, Billie, put to sleep due to illness on 12/22. She had the dog cremated and now can't decide what to do with the remains. She keeps talking about wanting to keep Billie "with" her and not wanting to bury her in the woods behind her home in case she ever moves. We are trying to convince her to bury the ashes so that she can get some closure with the loss of her beloved dog.

Answer 2

I had a cat for 16 years, and had to put her to sleep and I think they cremated her body, and no, I didn't keep the ashes.

Answer 3

Absolutely, There is nothing at all wrong with that. I have the ashes to my beloved dog in a cute little container and it's on a shelf. I planned on burying the remains in the back yard, but changed my mind. I like her right where she is and I find it comforting. You can choose which is best for you, whether it be holding onto it, spreading the ashes, etc. It's all a personal choice. Lucky you to have had your pet for 17 years.

Answer 4

My mother cremated a dog of ours that died (this was when I was very small) and still has the ashes... I always found it creepy. Personally, I wouldn't, but if you want to keep them, then by all means do so.

Answer 5

My parents had two pets that lived a very long time which they had cremated and they have the ashes on our bookshelf in our family room. Our cat's ashes are in an urn, and our dog's ashes are in a beautiful wood box.

Answer 6

perhaps you have no idea how much it hurt to have you dog put to sleep. My dog had a cancer and was suffering and there was no other choice. Even after a year i think about it and cry. My understanding is that all dogs are cremated but to keep the asses can only prologue the guilt/hurt or the pain of losing your dog for ever.

Answer 7

instead of keeping the ashes, i would most likely let his ashes blow away in a place where she/he liked the most or where "me"and the dog had the best memories where we will never forget i think the dog would like his restin place just as we would like to be buried/cremated and spread at a place that is nice to ourselves

Answer 8

If i did keep the ashes i'd bury them in a safe place outside. When we had to put our old girl down all we kept was her dog collar, and that was enough for us. It's tough.


To Jennalee=== If the vet tells you your animal is suffering badly and can't be helped you WILL choose to put them to sleep rather than watch them die in pain. It can be the right choice, and man does it hurt to make it.

Answer 9

My 17 yr old beagle died 2 years ago and we have her ashes.

Answer 10

Yes I would. When I had to put down my 15 year old dog, I brought him home and buried him in the backyard. And I will do that to my current dog as well.