[Dailydrool] Important question very long

[Wen via Dailydrool]

Hi all,
Most of you know that we have helped many to the Bridge over the years, as
we love our seniors!
Bill, I do not find this topic distasteful or elsewise.  It is IMPORTANT to
know as when you lose one, if you are not prepared with a little
information, it will make the situation more difficult.  
After using a local large crematory for years, one time, we got Butch back,
a kitty and his cremains weighed more than one of our large Bassets. It was
that obvious to us.  And I weighed all the cremains and found to my pained
heart that the variances were not consistent with the size dogs that we had
taken in. 
After talking with our vet, who uses that place, which is Greenbrier in
Apopka FL,  they felt still, like they were a good place to use.  They
however could not explain the difference in the weights.  I am not certain,
but wonder if the vets have some skin in that game. 
So, I found another crematory.  Pine Castle Pet Crematory in Orlando FL.
Terry, the owner is a great kind, RESPECTFUL guy.  His main business is
building crematories around the world.  As yes, he even built the one I
hate.  He told me stories of people who have come to him after using that
place and they are more horrific than me wondering who I might have in those
bags......and that in and of itself is very painful to me.  I am crying
right now thinking about the hounds I have lost and wondering if indeed they
are with me.  Terry said that large crematories have "private "cremations in
that the pet is put on a pan into the crematory.  There can be several pets
in at one time, but they consider it private.  Now,  flames and air are
whirling around in there...has to happen that way so ashes get mixed.  That
is not what I ever thought would be happening with a private cremation and
they do not tell you nor admit to this, as I found out personally.  
Terry has a small crematory, and because his main business is building them,
he does the pet cremations as a service.  He cremations are much less
expensive than the large company, and I KNOW I am getting my hound back.  He
lets you waits during it, if you want.  I have participated in every aspect
of it, as Terry is fine with one being involved.   OK, that is all for the
cremation part...Find a place you are comfortable with and get info before
you need it! 
As far as if they pass away at home,  My experience with the ER is they want
to charge $60 to hold over night(ours does).   Usually I can take ours right
down to Terry, as he is a workaholic and is working easily from 7am till
11pm.  He is always great about meeting me.  And if cannot cremate that
evening, he will first thing in the morning. He does have a freezer if he
has to keep them a while, but I rarely have had to have one of ours in it.
The vets will store your pet in a freezer,  I hate that and try not to have
that happen.  The pet will pass urine or defecate,  I do not wrap them, but
will put a pee pad under them and clean them up if it happens.   I do not
like them going dirty to be cremated.  
Once or twice we had to have them stay with us overnight, we place them in
an extra room until morning.  
Even in their deaths I feel very deeply about treating their bodies with the
respect they are due. It is important to me,  and I understand may not be so
important to others.  
This is my dimes worth.

Wen and the Bounders
houndsabound at cfl.rr.com