Results of home pet cremation---stay away, Ed

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I probably shouldn't even risk posting this, but I thought several of you might be curious about how it turned out. I decided to go ahead with the cremation after learning that it would cost about $40 to have it done professionally. I filled the fire box with extra dry wood, and got it going hot. I put my little bird in a small old bread pan, with about 6 big pine cones. I set this in the fire and closed the door. After an hour, I opened the stove door and found that everything in the pan was burned to ash. There was nothing gross or awful. His little skull had retained it's shape, but it disintegrated when I touched it. Otherwise, there was just ash. I let it all cool, then put the ashes into a small antique bottle and set it on the windowsill. It is done. It worked out fine. Those of you who wrote to offer your stories and sympathy have my heartfelt thanks. Your words were very helpful.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), March 19, 2001

Answers

I am glad it's done and over with for you .Time heals all pain .

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), March 19, 2001.

Shannon: It's always painful to lose a pet, whether it be a fish, fowl, dog, cat, etc. They are part of our lives. I feel sorry for those who can't understand that attachment. Sorry about your dear bird, and glad the cremation worked out. Jan

-- Jan in CO (Janice12@aol.com), March 19, 2001.

Shannon, some of us who have made our livelyhood in the country can get a little jaded about the death of an animal. I can butcher and animal for food that I have helped birth, nurtured, and cared for. But when it comes to a little friend, be it whatever species, I'm still a softie. I'm sorry you got such a hard time about your original posting. I don't always agree with your philosophy about animals, but I sure didn't think you deserved the hard time you were given.

-- melina b. (goatgalmjb1@hotmail.com), March 19, 2001.

Good for you..I am very glad you were able to do things the way that you wanted to. Too bad some folks do not have compassion for another's grief process. God bless.

-- Lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), March 19, 2001.

Shannon, I am glad that worked for you. I didn't read the original thread because I didn't know a thing about how to cremate other than the Hindu fashion...I am sorry so much vehemence was directed at you, ESPECIALLY when you are saddened over the loss of your pet. I usually bury my deceased animals and make a little marker for the grave, not necessarily a memorial plaque, just stones I like or something. God bless.

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@excite.com), March 19, 2001.


You're braver than I would be, Shannon. I would have been too afraid of the result. I'm glad it worked out for you. And again, my condolences on your loss.

-- Joy F (So.Central Wisconsin) (CatFlunky@excite.com), March 20, 2001.

I can relate to melina completely and agree with others as well. I've put down and butchered animals alot, but I can't be calloused enough to not shead a tear. I usually leave a marker for my dead pets and sometimes even a butchered livestock. It's too bad you had to put up with "added" pain on top of your grief that you didn't need. May God bless you always.

-- David Cripe (cripeland@aol.com), March 20, 2001.

You all have reassured me that most of the folks on this forum are truly decent and compassionate. Thank you again.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), March 20, 2001.

Glad to hear it worked out. You know... to be honest... I wish this thread had come into my life a couple years ago....... Thanks for being brave enough to post!! Most of us really are on your side -

-- Sue Diederich (willow666@rocketmail.com), March 20, 2001.

Shannon I am glad you are happy with the result, but is not this exactly what Ed told you to do? Minus his comments, (which actually I thought were tongue in cheek considering you were the one who lead the thread in this direction with the "Bizarre" listing). Instead of ash and your pet mixed as in Eds advice, you now have pet and pinecone. Maybe their is a difference to you. Can't really see blasting Ed though, it was after all asked for advice. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), March 20, 2001.


Vicki, she asked for advice for a procedure. She did NOT ask for judgements on whether or not she was rational. If you lost your favorite goat and were crying over her, would you tolerate comments judging your method(s) of coping with the grief? Go back and read that last sentence of his first post. Was that kind? Was that necessary? I say it was totally unnecessary and very unkind!

-- Joy F (So.Central Wisconsin) (CatFlunky@excite.com), March 20, 2001.

I was in the service about 40 yrs ago and we had a method of burning classified documents that might also work for larger animals outdoors. This builds a super hot fire. In a fire pit safely away from all buildings cover the animal with a high nitrate fertlizer. to start the fire at one corner use 5lb of sugar,mix it with about equal volume of fertlizer and pour one cup of gasoline in this mix. (this is your starter) water will not extinguish this fire. it generates its own oxegen.

-- paul mccloud (vonmantik@yahoo.com), March 25, 2001.

There everyone should be happy now...

-- Ed Copp (OH) (edcopp@yahoo.come), March 26, 2001.

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