When we went to pick up Brady's ashes from the funeral home, we were given some little "mementos" along with the box that contained my best friend's incinerated remains. I've wanted to say something about this, but haven't had the time, nor the ability to come up with the right words.
The night before Brady died, I was pretty certain that the end was imminent, and finally did that less than joyful web search to find out about pet cremation. I found a page that listed the particulars of how much it cost to have the animal picked up at the vet's office (no charge for that) or picked up at your home (maybe $75? I'm not positive.) The cost of cremation varied depending on the weight of the pet, but the "package" included mementos such as a paw print and fur clippings. It seemed like a sweet enough idea when I first read this. In practice, it kind of rubbed me the wrong way.
Inside a little booklet of poems (of COURSE including the Rainbow Bridge) and some bland "words of wisdom", carefully crafted not to run afoul of anyone's personal beliefs, there was page with a little baggie of fur clippings. As Demetrius and I were getting into our car, the pet services representative lady pointed to some words on the page, adding, "This says where we took the fur clippings from."
What I've discovered is...NO IT BLOODY ISN'T! On the top of the page, the title reads "My Beloved Pet in a Locket". As I read it out loud to Demetrius, I noticed that it rhymed This isn't where you took fur clippings--this is a poem! I'm sure it was quite meaningful to the person who wrote it, and maybe it has brought comfort to others who have read it. But don't tell me, in a factual tone, "this is where we got the fur clippings". I mean, seriously, from around his eyes? That fur is way to short to clip. (And if you're going to give me some fur clippings as a memento, how about including some of that stunning bright white fur from his chest?)
Anyway, I searched, and here's the original poem
If you think it's petty of me to complain about this, I ask gently that you please keep that thought to yourself. Something about this whole "closure" experience did not set quite right with me, and after over a month I felt like I needed to at least try to put it into words. It is, as they say, "part of the healing process."
The night before Brady died, I was pretty certain that the end was imminent, and finally did that less than joyful web search to find out about pet cremation. I found a page that listed the particulars of how much it cost to have the animal picked up at the vet's office (no charge for that) or picked up at your home (maybe $75? I'm not positive.) The cost of cremation varied depending on the weight of the pet, but the "package" included mementos such as a paw print and fur clippings. It seemed like a sweet enough idea when I first read this. In practice, it kind of rubbed me the wrong way.
Inside a little booklet of poems (of COURSE including the Rainbow Bridge) and some bland "words of wisdom", carefully crafted not to run afoul of anyone's personal beliefs, there was page with a little baggie of fur clippings. As Demetrius and I were getting into our car, the pet services representative lady pointed to some words on the page, adding, "This says where we took the fur clippings from."
What I've discovered is...NO IT BLOODY ISN'T! On the top of the page, the title reads "My Beloved Pet in a Locket". As I read it out loud to Demetrius, I noticed that it rhymed This isn't where you took fur clippings--this is a poem! I'm sure it was quite meaningful to the person who wrote it, and maybe it has brought comfort to others who have read it. But don't tell me, in a factual tone, "this is where we got the fur clippings". I mean, seriously, from around his eyes? That fur is way to short to clip. (And if you're going to give me some fur clippings as a memento, how about including some of that stunning bright white fur from his chest?)
Anyway, I searched, and here's the original poem
Old dog in a locket.
That lies next to my heart
I will always love you
As I did right from the start.
You were right beside me
Through the darkest of my days
It was your kind and gentle nature
That made me want to stay
Now I hold you in my arms
Your breath still warm against my hand
Our hearts still beat together
And I wonder if you understand.
Through the hours that I held you
Before the light did leave your soul
I knew a way to keep you
Forever in my hold.
I snipped the hair from around your eyes
So I would always see
The beauty that surrounds me
Even in times of need
I snipped the hair from around your ears
So I would always hear
Music in the distance
To quiet all my fears.
I snipped the hair from around your back
To bring me strength in time of need
And the power in your essence
Would always be with me.
I snipped the hair from around your heart
That beat in time with mine
So I'd know your love would find me
At some distant time.
And so your life slipped out of mine
On a quiet winter day
But I knew that a part of you
Was always here to stay.
Old dog in a locket.
That lays next to my heart
I will always love
Even though we had to part.
Author Unknown
If you think it's petty of me to complain about this, I ask gently that you please keep that thought to yourself. Something about this whole "closure" experience did not set quite right with me, and after over a month I felt like I needed to at least try to put it into words. It is, as they say, "part of the healing process."
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