If you are reading this review, you are undoubtedly experiencing the same feelings that any devoted and loving pet parent goes through when they lose their baby. If your pet was "just a cat" or "only a dog" you wouldn't be researching afterlife care options at all, and you wouldn't be so emotionally connected to your decision.
When my sweet Oliver passed away unexpectedly, I was faced with a difficult and traumatic question from the vet "What would you like to do with his body?"
The moments that followed were perhaps the most unsettling and awkward that I could imagine. The last pet I buried was Rex, a German Shepherd...and that was awful. We selected an open field that Rex used to play in close to the house. Not even 6 months later, that open field of grass and memories was a Walgreens. Lesson learned. I've heard horror stories about burying a pet too shallow and the neighborhood animals digging them up -- I'm confident that would haunt me forever. Plus, what happens when we move -- I just leave Oliver behind? I was sickened.
We grow so close to our pets in life, they become a part of the family and making that "final choice" just seems so, well...final. I'm a strong believer that the spirit of my Oliver did not "die" with his body in the vet's office that day, but when the words crossed my mind that they could "dispose" of him, it was unsettling. There is nothing dignified about the word "Disposal" - I put my leftover food down the disposal, my companion of 11 years is not disposable. I live in a world where we no longer refer to our trash as "garbage" it's now "waste management" or "recyclables," why would I choose to have greater respect for my empty milk jug and mayonnaise jar than my beloved kitty?
While I knew I wanted to do something for Oliver, I still had a hard time accepting cremation. The finality of it scared me, as did the thought of not knowing "are the remains I receive REALLY Oliver?" Couple that with the dozens of other questions I had going through my head and I was pretty much a basket-case. Am I going to look like a crazy cat lady if I have an urn in my house with my cat's remains? How much does pet cremation cost vs. the free burial I could perform? What if I break the urn...will my Dyson that sucked up all of Oliver's fur in life be his final resting place if I accidentally bump the urn off the shelf?
I tend to over-analyze most situations, but the decisions I needed to make would greatly affect my healing process and grief. I called a local pet cremation service and it was scary, I'm confident I wouldn't have given that guy my "waste management" much less my kitty. Then the next one on the list...it was worse than a used car salesman on the last day of the month. The "pitch" was scripted, high-pressure and unsettling. Sorry Sir, my baby Oliver is not a number for you to fill your sales quota.
Then I spoke with the most compassionate and sympathetic person I've ever met (Nate) and my fears were subsided. He was a breath of fresh air in a very distressing time. Nate thoroughly explained the cremation process, his company and the package I would receive with the remains of Oliver. He answered every question I had and made every effort to console me throughout the process. His demeanor was not a "sales pitch" in any way, he was genuinely concerned for my well-being and grief. For the first time since Oliver's passing, I was able to accept his death and know that I had made a decision for his "final choice" that I could be proud of. Nate even answered my questions about Memory Glass (essentially blown glass with a small amount of ashes "suspended" inside) and offered to divide the ashes into separate bags so I wouldn't have to be stressed with that task later.
Paw Prints picked up Oliver the next day, called me when he reached their facility to give me his Disc ID#, and then called again when he was ready to be brought home (the very next day). They offered to take him to my vet's office or provided convenient pick-up hours at their office. I chose to pick him up at their office and was very glad I did. Nate, Kelly & James were there and all three were so genuinely nice and sympathetic. They handed me my bag, explained everything in the package and let me know when I was ready to take a look inside. Even Red (Nate's adorable & spoiled Black Lab) offered his condolences and let me rub his tummy. They took time out of their day to chat with me and I could tell they wholeheartedly cared about their customers. The whole experience was dignifying and purrfect for my Oliver.
I do not wish for anyone to experience the loss of a pet family member, but when that horrific time comes you'll be lucky and honored to meet Nate & Paw Prints. read more