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

[moon_beam]

Hi, Margi, I would like to add my sincerest heartfelt wishes to the other wonderful posts in that you and Ladywolf are now traveling your twilight journey together. It sounds to me like something is causing an abscess. I so do wish this could be investigated by a vet to let you know if it can successfully be treated with antibiotics - - or not. At least you would know in your heart that you were able to make an "informed" decision rather than having to bear the heartbreak of not being to do anything because of money - - the lack thereof. This doesn't seem fair or right for you or Ladywolf.

Like Donna, please let us know what cremation would cost. I've got an idea that I will PM you and Donna about. Whatever happens, Margi, please know we are traveling this road together with you and Ladywolf, and that you are indeed close in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[ladywolf]

Hi Ladies--

Gads, you are all so kind, it's all I can do not to burst into tears right now, and I can't because I am in SCHOOL on a school computer, right next to some of my (substitute teacher) eighth grade students!

I MAY have found a solution for the issue. My friend Joan has a beatiful piece of property, lots of it, and a man who works for her doing yard work. So it may be that he will be able to bury Lady for me at such time as the need arises. I'll find out this afternoon for sure, I think...

I only have this moment to write, as class is about to change. (This is "game club"--that's why I'm online at all.) I'll write more later, but meanwhile, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for your big hearts!!!

Margi and the Wolf

Hi, Margi, I would like to add my sincerest heartfelt wishes to the other wonderful posts in that you and Ladywolf are now traveling your twilight journey together. It sounds to me like something is causing an abscess. I so do wish this could be investigated by a vet to let you know if it can successfully be treated with antibiotics - - or not. At least you would know in your heart that you were able to make an "informed" decision rather than having to bear the heartbreak of not being to do anything because of money - - the lack thereof. This doesn't seem fair or right for you or Ladywolf.

Like Donna, please let us know what cremation would cost. I've got an idea that I will PM you and Donna about. Whatever happens, Margi, please know we are traveling this road together with you and Ladywolf, and that you are indeed close in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam