| Author | Messages | |
cosnowflake
Best of Breed
Posts:250
 | | 06/04/2007 4:02 PM |
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I have a situation that I am hoping that some of you may have some opinions on...
When I adopted Blackberry from the Maxfund shelter in Denver four years ago, I have since volunteered for various events and have religiously used their walk-in clinic for his veterinary services. There are alot of shelters, clinics, and vet offices out here, but I felt it was important to give back to where I first found Blackberry.
The past two times I have been in the clinic, I noticed small silver containers with names and dates on them on a bookshelf behind the desk where you check your pet in. I inquired about these, and found out these indeed were the ashes of deceased pets. Some have been sitting on this shelf for more than two years I was told. After the first time I saw this, I was so upset about it, that I called the shelter and informed them about what I had seen.
When we went back today, several months later, the containers were still there and one of the secretaries took me aside and said that they were not moving those containers. (I did not make a HUGE LOUD objection about it, before she talked to me...)
Anyway, I am wondering what you all might think or feel about this matter and if you would continue going there and supporting the shelter or not. They do have a sealed off office space with plenty of cabinets behind the check-in area and I asked if the ashes could be placed there, but received no answer. I just do not feel that when checking in at a wellness center we need to see ashes right in front of us. Yes, we need to deal with life and death, but I feel like there are more private ways to deal with a pet passing on.
Any thoughts/ideas?
Thanks,
Snow |
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| campdog
Best of Breed
Posts:237
| | 06/04/2007 4:15 PM |
| | Snow- I agree totally with u. I would think the clinic would keep the ashes of poor deceased animal in a more private location.I really understand how this could and would upset u.
As for the subject of if u should bring Berry back there for his care u have to decided on ur own,but my animal would never go there again,because if that is the way they treat the animals in death like that, then they most not doing a good when ur dog has to stay over nite or something like that.But that is just the way i see it | | | |
| drambuie
Best in Group
Posts:1220
| | 06/04/2007 5:29 PM |
| | You left out a few things, are they there as a shrine, to the pets memory.
Or because the owners did not pick them up. | | | |
| cosnowflake
Best of Breed
Posts:250
| | 06/04/2007 6:19 PM |
| | hey dram,
no they were not part of a shrine...if they were that would be a little more understandable...
they are just sitting on top of a bookcase piled on top of one another with nothing about them there.
so i have been told they are just there because their owners haven't picked them up | | | |
| k9chaplain
Champion
Posts:85
| | 06/20/2007 2:47 PM |
| | Re; Ashes
Hello Everyone,
Here is an idea. Why not approach the owners/dr's, and see if you can take the ashes, and scatter them. Or plant a tree somewhere for them. I am sure that I can find a Pet Chaplain to help you with this task.
The sad thing, is people still consider their animals as OWNERSHIP, instead of GUARDIANSHIP. When we become a Guardian it is our responsibilty to take care, feed, love, support, give of ourselves. Ownership seems to back ward thinking. Throw the dog a bone and he will survive.
I would certainly like to help in this matter. Can you get me the names, emails, websites, phone numbers this place has. If you can not do this yourself, i would be more than happy to get the Chaplains involved.
Just in case, you are wondering who i am I am a "Spiritual Leader" for over 50 Pet/Animal Chaplains throughout Canada and the States.
So please do let me know..and my name is : Chaplain Nola
www.buddys-heart.caviesrule.com
www.buddysheart.bravehost.com
Everything we do is at NO charge. | | | |
| k9chaplain
Champion
Posts:85
| | 07/13/2007 2:46 PM |
| | Snowflake:
Can you speak with this clinic again. Find out if they will let you take the ashes. If they allow that, I can arrange for a Chaplain help you spread them or even bury them.
It is a sad day, when loved ones are either forgotten or misplaced.!
K9 | | | |
| tngirl1
Posts:0
| | 07/13/2007 7:00 PM |
| | co - why the clinic would choose to "display" the cremains in such a manner is beyond comprehension. The lack of respect given these creatures - by their 'owners' and the staff at the clinic - is reprehensible.
k9, as usual, has a wonderful suggestion for how they can be treated with some dignity & respect.
As for whether or not your Blackberry (cute name, btw) should continue to be seen by them, I would have to say "no". I love the fact that the Vet that I take my kids to actually & sincerely cares for them - not just their health, but for their happiness as well. | | | |
| allie1964
Best of Breed
Posts:423
| | 07/13/2007 7:15 PM |
| I just received in the mail, a card from the Michigan Animal Health Foundation stating that my vet has made a donation to them in my dog allies name. So there are vets that care. She even came in on her day off (there were other vets there that could have done it) to put my old dog sophie to sleep. I love my vet... shes the best  | | | |
| Newfs
Posts:0
| | 07/13/2007 8:55 PM |
| | Could be that the people that had their pets creamated, can not afford to pay for the ashes??? When I had my 1st Newf creamated (private creamation), it cost $150.00..... if the containers you saw were small silver ones, thats not a inexpensive container, usually the remains are handed to the owner in a small card board box, and it's up to the owner to purchase a Urn of their choice.... unless the Vets office has a "time-limit" on how long they will hold the ashes, I don't think they will just release them to a non-owner.... if the ashes were taking up their office space they would get rid of them themselves. I don't think they can, unless they want to be sued.... I know I had to sign a form when I had my 1st Newf creamated, but I never looked to see if there was a time limit as to how long they would hold the ashes. I picked them up as soon as they called and said I could come and get them..... | | | |
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