Cremation Vs. Burial In A Strange Place, Ladywolf... Options

[ladywolf]

Well, I think I'm about up against it with Ladywolf. Now she has an open sore that is oozing pus, and the whole situation is really coming to a head, so to speak. She is still alert, still eating well, still able to go out and do her thing, still enjoying lying in the yard, still enjoying going for rides--but I am very depressed and think that I am probably looking at euthanasia pretty soon...Darnnit! (That's not what I'd like to say, but you know how the obscenity filters work.)

I am most depressed because they want about $250 to cremate and return a pet's ashes around here, and I simply can't afford it. A member here very kindly sent me some money awhile ago to help with Lady's euthanasia, but told me to spend some of it on Lady food if I needed to, and I've needed to. Not all of it, but I only have enough left to have her euthanized, not cremated. I had planned to drag her out into the desert and try to bury her, as I did with Poppers, but the more I think about doing that, the worse it feels. I want her with me, forever, not alone in some strange place.

How important has it been to others of you to have your animal cremated and get the ashes back? Seems like it's been pretty important. I didn't think that it would matter to me--I've had 11 dogs, and some have been cremated and some buried and I've always been okay with it--but I HATE Arizona, I probably won't be here much longer after Ladywolf goes, and so I'd be leaving her in some strange place that I'd probably never return to.

I am NOT asking for donations--I am just trying to find a way to find peace with whatever choice I have to make. I'm unemployed right now, and have been for some time, and Lady's diet of mainly chicken, and her meds, have been breaking my bank. I can't even afford to take her in right now to find out what this new open sore is all about. This money thing is making me nuts!

I do have one friend I could approach for help, perhaps--she has helped in the past when Lady needed surgery on her LAST cancerous tumor--but I feel guilty doing so, because that one cost Nancy almost $1500.

I just don't know what to do. Maybe I'd be okay with leaving Lady in a pretty spot, maybe near Poppers (although it's not very pretty there), but I do kind of like the idea of letting my animals join the food chain. (Coyotes, etc. will ALWAYS get into a grave, no matter how deep it is.)

Please help me to be all right with whatever decision I have to make. The process has been painful--and prolonged--enough already.

Thanks, everyone. I am really feeling terrible right now.

Margi and the Wolf

[janika]

Dear Margi

You may still have time left with your precious Ladywolf. If she is still doing what you say she's doing and still 'Happy'. Try and live for the day, they will be so important to you, every moment, every day, try not to dwell too much on the 'after' times. Ladywolf will be with you wherever her mortal remains are. You have your memories and your photos and many reminders. I do believe that they are with us no matter how their precious 'bodies' are disposed off. It's the spirit that is important, and that's what stays with us. I can so understand how many of our forum friends find comfort in having their fur babies ashes with them. My choice was to bury my Noushka's ashes with my darling Tasha's remains, her best friend, in their favourite part of our garden. Then we planted the lovely flowering shrubs and snowdrops. Whatever you decide, your Ladywolf will be with you forever. I know it's so distressing to even think about these things. As Noushka was getting older, she used to go and sit where our darling Tasha was buried and sadly I used to think, oh my darling you will be with her there before too long, and how will I bear it. In a way I think she was showing me where she would want to be. Margi, if Poppers and Ladywolf were so close, maybe thats your answer, take her to where you both have such a connection.
If you feel that you would like to keep her ashes with you, then do all you can to make sure that you have the money to do so.
Please try and make the most of all the moments that you are still sharing in this physical state, for your sake and also for your precious Ladywolf. I feel that I know you both so well now and I send my love and prayers for you both.
Hugs Jan and my Angels and Pixie x