What Do You Do If... Options

[Romeo's_daddy]

...your pet dies and your vet isn't open? I mean say your pet dies on a Friday night and the vet won't be open untill Monday? Do you wrap him/her in a towel and put them in the refridgerator to retard the decomposition process? I know when people die lots of gases and human waste are released, but I don't know how long it takes those things to happen. The idea of having to keep a dead animal, a pet no less, in my apartment for a couple days is something that freaks me out but the possibility exists that it can happen. I know some on this site have just gone out back and dug a grave but I can't do that because I will not be staying here forever. I know this is somewhat morbid but it is a real concern I have. I can't put them in a trash bag because it's my pet, not trash, and I feel they should be handled with more dignity than that. So what do you if that happens?

[Jazzygirl]

I understand about the outrageous prices at the emergency vet, but I know for myself, I had no choice. When I noticed Jasmine wasn't "right" I called the emergency vet that my vet had as a referral. They told me straight up that it would $100 just to have her looked at. As much as that sucks, when it comes down to it, it's only money and she's worth more than that. So I rushed her up there and she died as they as rushed her into the ER. I regret she wasn't in MY arms when her soul passed on but it was out of my control. When all was said and done, I paid over $400 and walked out empty handed. But I don't care. I charged it and I'll pay it off. But they kept her body until the crematory could come (a week later) to get her. I'm sure they put her in a freezer, as much as I hate to invision that. But at least it ensured I'll get her ashes back from her whole body.
So I guess what I'm saying is that if you do have an emergency vet and you don't want to handle the preservation process yourself (and I wouldn't blame you), in the end, you'll probably get over the money issue to know that your pet was handled properly after death.
All we can do is make the best decisions we can under hard cir%%stances.