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Should I Cremate My Pet?

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 17:32:15 GMT

Should I Cremate My Pet?

It’s not a question pet owners ever want to have to think about. But when the day does come to say goodbye, it’s a question that will need to be considered. Just like people, the remains of our sweet companions must be taken care of, either through cremation or burial. If you’re unsure of which method is best for you and your family, here are some questions to ask yourself to help guide you when making a decision.

Do you own property to bury your pet?

Many pet owners rent their homes. For them, burial may not be an option due to their property manager or HOA not allowing it. Not wanting to give their pet a final resting place that isn’t necessarily their own permanent residence is also a reason some people prefer cremation over burial.

For those who can’t bury at home but still want a burial, many cemeteries have designed areas just for furry friends. Reach out to Best Friends if you’d like to learn more about this option.

How large is your pet?

At Best Friends, we provide cremation services to creatures great and small. However, if your own animal isn’t small, you may not have the space nor the desire to dig a grave large enough to accommodate them. Animals must be buried three to five feet under the surface of the ground, and at least 100 feet away from a water source. This rules out the option of burying a pet for many families.

Where do you want your pet’s final resting place to be?

With cremation, you have many different options when it comes to choosing where to place their ashes. Did your pet have a favorite place to play or bask in the sun? Scattering allows for your pet to be laid to rest in a place that held meaning for you both. As long as you obtain permission from the owner or entity of a property that’s not yours, many places will allow scattering.

Cremation also allows you to keep your pet’s remains close to you. There are many ways to do this. An urn can be kept in your home, while keepsake jewelry that holds a small amount of ashes can be worn, allowing them to be by your side at all times. Some creative ways of keeping a companion’s ashes is to have them mixed into paint and commission an artist to paint their portrait. Cremation also allows a pet’s remains to be divided among different family members so each person can keep them close. Best Friends Pet Passings and Cremations has a diverse selection of urns and keepsakes to choose from. And for those who want to spend eternity with their companion, being buried or scattered along with a pet’s cremated remains is possible.

With cremation, you can memorialize your pet without a gravesite. Headstones or plaques can create symbolic and meaningful markers that family members can return to, to honor and remember their companion with. Memorials don’t have to be traditional either. Dedicating a tree or bench in your dog’s favorite park, having a piece of art made, or framing their collar and dog tags are all beautiful ways to pay tribute to your pet.

Are you planning a memorial service?

Our pets may not be human, but they are family, and a funeral or memorial service allows for closure and can be a healing experience for a family and their friends. If choosing burial, a graveside memorial service would need to happen within a day or two of the pet’s passing. Cremation allows a family more time to plan a meaningful service and to notify guests of the event. However, there is no rule that says a family can’t have multiple memorial services. Best Friends can help you plan a personalized service that brings some peace to your goodbye.

If you’re still unsure whether or not cremation is right for you and your pet, that’s ok. We are available to answer any questions you may have, discuss your options in detail, and help you make an informed decision that brings you peace of mind. Call us at 505-345-5615 or send us a message and we’ll get back to you promptly.

What to Expect With Pet Cremation

duda@aftercare.com (Tukios Websites) — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 17:28:16 GMT

What to Expect With Pet Cremation

Cremation of a loved one is a thought most people prefer to push out of their mind, and only think about it once someone has died. The same goes for losing a pet. The idea of cremating your companion can feel uncomfortable and sad. At Best Friends, we believe that knowledge of our cremation process can help alleviate any anxiety and make it easier and even comforting for the family.

After a pet has been euthanized or passes naturally, you may call Best Friends Pet Passings and Cremations and schedule services over the phone, use our online tool to make final arrangements, or come to our facility at 924 Menaul Blvd NE in Albuquerque.

When the family is ready, a member of our team will pick up your pet from your home or veterinary clinic in the Albuquerque or Rio Rancho area, and bring them to our facilities. If you prefer, you may bring your pet to us during business hours. The family is given time to say goodbye at the time of transfer, or may request to schedule a viewing prior to cremation services. Our compassionate team will prepare your pet in a private room where you and your loved ones can spend time saying goodbye to your companion.

Afterward, your loved one will be taken to our pet crematory in a simple and dignified cremation container. If you have chosen a private cremation, your companion is placed in the cremation chamber alone. If a communal cremation was chosen, your companion is placed in the cremation chamber along with other animals. The chamber is then turned on, and heated to temperatures reaching 1500 and 2000 degrees Fahrenheit.

After an hour or two, a pet’s body is reduced to bone fragments. The fragments are then crushed into what most people know as ashes, or cremated remains. These remains are mostly made up of dry calcium phosphates with some minor minerals, such as salts of sodium and potassium. They are not toxic to you or the environment.

If the family chooses a private cremation, their pet’s ashes are placed in either an urn we provide or one that they have purchased, and returned to the family. Best Friends provides a beautiful selection of urns to choose from and many of our urns can be engraved with your companion’s name or meaningful phrase. A family may choose to have the remains returned to them in a special scattering urn if they intend to scatter their pet’s ashes. We also offer a curated selection of keepsake items to help keep your loved one’s memory alive, including personalized jewelry that holds a small amount of their ashes, paw print or nose print memorial art, and photo boxes. Please reach out to us to learn more about our memorialization options.

The family may choose to keep the cremated remains with them in an urn, bury them in a small grave on their own property or another place that holds special significance, or as we mentioned before, scatter the ashes somewhere meaningful. If a communal cremation was chosen, the remains are placed in an ossuary specially designated for beloved animals.

If you have any questions about pet cremation or our other services, Best Friends is always here to help. Just reach out to us at 505-345-5615 . If you or a loved one is struggling with the loss of a pet, we encourage seeking out the help of a professional grief counselor.

Guilt After Euthanasia

duda@aftercare.com (Tukios Websites) — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 17:20:51 GMT

Guilt After Euthanasia

How to Find Peace of Mind

The decision to put down an animal companion is one of the hardest many people will have to make. There are many different situations a pet owner can face that make assisting your pet with a peaceful death the best choice for you both. But that doesn’t mean you won’t have feelings of remorse or guilt.

You may ask yourself if you did everything possible, if you made the decision too soon, if you should have gotten a second opinion. In fact, questioning your decision is normal, and something many people face after putting their pet to sleep.

Get the Best Advice

When you’ve sought out the professional opinion of an expert, i.e. experienced veterinarian, you are more likely to have peace of mind if it’s time to put your pet to sleep. They will be able to examine your animal and tell you your options and advise you on the best way to proceed. If you want a second opinion, you’re free to do that, to ensure you’re making the best and most well-informed decision possible.

Sometimes, the decision whether or not to euthanize isn’t medically or age related. Other factors may play a role, such as not being able to afford treatment or a substantial life change. These circumstances can make a pet owner feel even more guilty for feeling like they have to put their pet down. But it’s important to take care of yourself, too.

And euthanasia doesn’t have to be the solution for many of these situations. Many vets may offer financing options to help ease the financial burden. There are also online resources that will help with medical expenses, and there are organizations that can help you find a new home for your animal.

A Best Last Day

When you know the time to say goodbye is coming, it allows you to plan what Best Friends calls a ‘Best Last Day.’ It’s a day full of snuggles and treats with your pet, and doing all their favorite things. A Best Last Day can help ease the transition from life to loss, and put your mind at ease knowing you were able to spend meaningful time with your pet and provide them with love and joy. We’ve compiled a list of ideas to help you create some beautiful final memories with your best friend.

Allow Yourself to Grieve

Pets are not “just pets.” Pets are deeply loved members of the family who provide companionship, emotional support and who love you back. Losing a pet is no different than losing a person you love. Their death creates a void in your life that was once filled with joy and comfort. To mourn the loss of a pet is normal.

Grief is also more than just feelings of sadness. Emotions can include anger, shock, denial, numbness and guilt. It can also include relief, like when a beloved pet has suffered. Grief can also intensify emotions, making you feel them more intensely than you normally would. We encourage those grieving the loss of their companion to reach out to speak to a therapist or grief counselor, or to find support through family or friends who understand what you’re going through.

Be Gentle on Yourself

People put down their companions because they love them and want the best for them: because they’re sick or suffering, have become a danger to themselves or others, or they want to ease the process of death for senior animals. They choose euthanasia out of compassion. Have compassion for yourself, too.

There is no multiple choice test that will definitively tell us when it’s the perfect time to help our pet pass. We must rely on the professional opinions of veterinarians, as well as our own knowledge and insights of our own animals. We do the very best we can. And that’s the best we can do.

By giving your pet the best life possible, and helping them pass as peacefully as they can, you are being the best companion you could ever be. It’s natural to feel conflicted when it’s time to say goodbye to someone you love. When that day comes, we will be here to help you honor them in a way that brings you comforts and peace of mind.

5 Things to do with Your Pet’s Ashes

duda@aftercare.com (Tukios Websites) — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 17:14:09 GMT

5 Things to do with Your Pet’s Ashes

When the heart-wrenching but inevitable day comes when you must say goodbye to your pet, you may decide that cremation is the best option for you and your family. But the decision to cremate the animal you love is really two decisions in one. You’ll also have to decide what you want to do with the cremated remains, or ashes. At Best Friends Pet Passings and Cremations in Albuquerque, New Mexico, individuals and families who choose private cremation are faced with this decision. There are several things you can do with your companion’s remains that can bring you comfort and keep their memory alive.

Keep Them Close

Many people choose to take their pet’s ashes home with them. This can be a comforting reminder of the joy they brought to your life. At Best Friends, we provide an urn with all private cremations that can be engraved with your pet’s name or a favorite quote. We also have a selection of unique urns if you prefer something different, as well as keepsake boxes, glass sculptures made from their ashes, and prints of your animal’s paw or nose.

Another way to keep them close to your heart is through jewelry. A necklace, keychain or bracelet that holds a small amount of ashes creates a meaningful connection to your companion.

Scatter Somewhere Special

Not everyone finds comfort in keeping their pet’s ashes at home. Releasing the ashes in a place that held special significance for you or your pet can be a beautiful step in the process of letting go and healing from grief. Perhaps this is off a hiking trail, in the backyard, or a favorite camping spot. Keep in mind that if you plan to scatter on property that isn’t yours, you’ll need to get permission first, and any required permits.

At Best Friends, we provide families who plan to scatter with a scattering tube. This is an eco-friendly container made with paper components. Like a permanent urn, a scattering tube can be personalized with the name of your pet. The ashes are placed inside the tube and when the family is ready to scatter, the lid is removed, and the ashes are released in an easy and efficient way.

Burial

Many people don’t know that you can bury cremated remains as well. By burying the ashes in an urn or box, you can create a smaller grave while providing you and your family with a permanent place to memorialize your pet. If you own your own property, this can be a beautiful reminder of your companion, and a comfort knowing they’re close by. Other places you can bury the ashes include a pet cemetery or at the base of a special tree. Like with scattering, be sure to get permission before burying ashes on property that isn’t yours.

Some individuals choose to have their pet’s remains buried with them when it’s their own time. This requires some planning and logistics, but it is definitely an option. Knowing your bond in life will be symbolized after death can be an extremely comforting to someone who loved their pet deeply.

Water Burial

Technically, a water burial isn’t a burial at all, but scattering ashes over a body of water. This can be a meaningful way to remember the dog who loved to swim in the river or keep you company while fishing. In New Mexico, we are far from the ocean, but the Federal Clean Water Act still has rules regarding scattering on inland water. To scatter on a river or lake, you may be legally required to obtain a permit from the state agency that manages the particular body of water.

Niches

Many cemeteries have an area designated just for furry (and feathery, and scaley…) friends. This can include ground burial, but they also may offer niches to keep one or more urns in. Oftentimes, these niches can be engraved with the name of your pet and any special words or sayings.

Losing an animal that felt more like family can be extremely difficult, and grieving your pet is a normal and healthy reaction. Memorializing them after cremation can bring comfort and peace of mind. At Best Friends, we are here to make this experience as easy as it can possibly be, and provide you with what you need to honor your pet.

Learn more about our cremation services or memorialization options, or call us at 505-345-5615 .

Best Friends Deserve the Best Last Day

duda@aftercare.com (Tukios Websites) — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 16:28:58 GMT

Best Friends Deserve the Best Last Day

As much as we all try to push it out of our minds, every pet parent knows that one day they will have to say goodbye to the animal that has stolen their heart. If we’re lucky enough, that day comes when our companion’s fur is kissed with silver, after a long and love-filled life.

Deciding to put down a pet, whether due to the pains of old age or terminal illness, is one of the most difficult decisions a pet parent must make. But it can bring peace and relief to you both, knowing they’re no longer in any pain and you helped them have a quick and tranquil passing. Giving your pet a best last day can add joy and comfort to an extremely difficult time.

A best last day is just that—the day or hours before putting a pet to sleep that are filled with everything they love the most. A best last day is one last day to spoil your best friend, shower them in love and give yourself one last trove of beautiful memories.

Here are some ways to gift your own loved one with the best last day possible when it’s time to say goodbye:

Take the day off work
Go through a drive-thru for a special treat
A drive to a favorite park with the window down
Lots and lots of belly rubs
A swim in the river or lake
Naps with the family
Their favorite human food, such as cheeseburgers, bacon, peanut butter or cooked steak
Play ball, frisbee or tug of war (but stop when they become tired or winded)
Go on an easy hike in the mountains or the bosque
Let them sleep in your bed
Read your favorite book to them
Social time at their favorite dog park
A new, exciting toy
Visits with their favorite humans
Quiet time to rest without TV, music or distractions
Capture moments of joy with your camera

Your own companion will have unique needs, preferences and abilities. Only you will know what will truly make your sweet friend’s last day special for them, and what types of activities they will be physically able to participate in.

The day you have to say goodbye will not be easy. But a perfect day spoiling and loving your pet will give you memories that will comfort you both and help leave you at peace.