Burial of pet dog

Birker2020

Birker2020

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Our lovely beagle bitch is nearing the end of her life (she is over 14) and although fit and well at present (apart from a terrible case of allergic rhinnitis) there is going to come a time when my partner (whose dog is really is) will say enough is enough.

I know its awful to think about but when she dies/is pts are there any rules surrounding burial of dogs at home? Can you ask for a individual cremation as you can a horse? Any idea of costings for this?

I just want to be able to support my partner when this awful time comes and determine the best way of 'keeping' our beloved dog with us. Its best to sort it in advance rather than worry about this kind of thing at the time.

This weekend I am going to take her for a lovely long walk and give her plenty of fuss, she is such a lovely little dog and she has been part of my life nearly every day for over 13 1/2 years. Here is a photo of her with my lovely partner:

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I've always buried mine at home, it's the only way you know for sure where they are....I don't see why there would be any rules about it, unless you live in a city, and who would know anyway ! Just make sure it's somewhere they are unlikely to ever be disturbed.
 
You can have them individually cremated if you want to - that's what we did with Barney. I guess the advantage of that is that you can put the ashes in with a potted plant or something, then if you move house they can go with you. We scattered Barney in his favourite woods, it's like I'm still walking him too when I take Henry there.

I hope you have plenty of time left with her yet, though. :)
 
This is something I think about because as much as I wan't my dog buried at home the harsh reality is carrying a dead Great Dane down main street is not really doable! I'd like to think that when the time comes (she is 5 and full of life but we have lost all of ours at 7) the vet, who loves her and has treated her since a pup will come out. But I know not all vets do this so it would have to be cremation.

I think it is fine to burry at home as long as you are not near a water source ie. river.
 
My old boy will be ready to go soon .
I always bury them in the garden .
I can't bear the thought of them in a plastic bag in a freezer at the vets waiting to go the animal incinerator .
 
Mine have all been buried at home, we have little paving slabs marking where they are buried, they are always here and that gives me comfort. Most vets Shoei will come out and pts at home, it is obviously more expensive but its less stressful for your pet and you.
 
Ours have all been buried at home too. We used to live in the farmhouse across the road but it was sold ten years ago, and they built a garage where half of our childhood pets were buried. They would have been long gone and it didn't bother us emotionally, but I did wonder if they found a load of bones! More recent animals are at the end of the current garden. The horses will be going there too!
 
I am sorry you are facing this with your girl. I am almost positive there are no laws/rules about burying dogs at home. I have several buried in my garden, although more recently have had them cremated and buried the ashes. I had Buffy individually cremated just over 2 years ago and the cost was around £100. The lady from the pet crematorium came and picked up her body (she was pts at home) and took her away in a dog bed wrapped in a blanket, and the ashes were returned a few days later in a pretty cardboard box which were buried.
 
I had my first dog buried , but I don't live there anymore, so I don't have anything of her. So when Megan's time came recently, she was individually cremated and I have her ashes in the back of a special photo frame, with her picture on the front. I did not want to bury her and then move on and leave her behind.

She hated the vets, so the vet came to us and she slipped away peacefully, eating chicken and sausages.
 
Goldenstar said:
I can't bear the thought of them in a plastic bag in a freezer at the vets waiting to go the animal incinerator
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If it's any consolation their bodies are treated with the utmost respect. I know it's daft as the animal has long gone but when putting them into the bags I always put them in on their side all safely tucked up so they're comfortable.

As for the OP, I hope you have a good long while with your wee dog yet but to answer your questions - I would expect to pay around £60 for PTS and something like £80-£120 for individual cremation with ashes returned depending on size of dog, £15-£30 for group cremation with no ashes returned. Most vets will do a home visit but will charge depending on mileage. As far as I know there's nothing to stop you burying a pet dog at home.
 
They should be buried at a depth of at least a metre, but how this is governed I do not know! Theres a few options available, why not ring the vet and ask them to give you an idea of prices for the different options, they wont mind Xx
 
I've also been thinking seriously about this, dog is 13.5, so at some point we have to address what to do. I am not convinced by the vet's incineration of them. Why so much more to return the ashes! If you bury in back garden and move, then no way of seeing any memorial. So I have decided to do it in front garden, which is still grass, unlike virtually all my neighbours. Dig down deep to keep foxes at bay. And one day my boys can walk past and salute their finest friend.
 
I bury all mine at home - dogs and horses both - two of each. At times it has been difficult - think Bernese Mountain Dog and frozen ground. Nothing that a good pick axe can't get through though. I always plant a Rosemary bush for the dogs and a cherry tree for the horses so that should I move, I can take either the plant or at least a cutting to keep their spirit with me.

Even if the dogs have been put down at the vets, I get them home - again not easy with a 10 stone dog but where there's a will.....

Your little dog is extremely cute Applecart :-)
 
AmyHack said:
They should be buried at a depth of at least a metre, but how this is governed I do not know! Theres a few options available, why not ring the vet and ask them to give you an idea of prices for the different options, they wont mind Xx
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I don't think it's governed as such, except by nature. Our vets will usually discourage people from doing at home burials mainly because they don't bury them deep enough so wildlife ends up digging them back up.

I have always had mine cremated and then plant a new rose bush for half the ashes to go in to. THe other half I keep in the house so that if I ever move, I have them with me. I know it's rather sentimental, but it makes me feel better.
 
blackcob said:
If it's any consolation their bodies are treated with the utmost respect. I know it's daft as the animal has long gone but when putting them into the bags I always put them in on their side all safely tucked up so they're comfortable.
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That is a consolation, actually. Thank you :)
 
Dobiegirl said:
Mine have all been buried at home, we have little paving slabs marking where they are buried, they are always here and that gives me comfort. Most vets Shoei will come out and pts at home, it is obviously more expensive but its less stressful for your pet and you.
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Thanks for that Goldenstar its good to know.
 
PucciNPoni said:
I don't think it's governed as such, except by nature. Our vets will usually discourage people from doing at home burials mainly because they don't bury them deep enough so wildlife ends up digging them back up.

I have always had mine cremated and then plant a new rose bush for half the ashes to go in to. THe other half I keep in the house so that if I ever move, I have them with me. I know it's rather sentimental, but it makes me feel better.
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Yes make sure you bury them deep. Someone I know burried there old Dobe then got a rescue one. 6 months later rescue dog brought old dog into the kitchen!!!!
 
Sorry your having to face losing your dog :(

We had our greyhound Hector individually cremated after he suddenly passed away at 5yrs. We're on clay soil so really wouldn't fancy digging a hole that size & the ground was frozen at the time. We took him to our vets but because we'd just missed the service collection it would be at least a fortnight till the ashes would be ready, so vet got a local crematorium recommendation from the vet nurses & we took Hector there instead (they can collect from home or vets).

It actually worked out better, because it is a lovely place & couple were so kind. They put him in their room for us to say goodbye and the ashes were ready next day, I really appreciated not having to go to our busy vets while feeling emotional to collect. Cost depended on weight & type of container you want, ours cost about £180 & think vets was around £150 3yrs ago. http://www.forgetmenottpc.co.uk/cremation-services.php
 
Personally because i have a Mastiff and it would be one big hole.. i think i would ask for her to be cremated and as Spudlet said i would add to a potted plant, as she is my little baby
 
We had our boy cremated, the vets were incredibly sympathetic and sent us a card which was very thoughtful. It cost £150 for single cremation and return of ashes (he was a GSD).

We scattered his ashes at Lake Ogwen which isn't far from us and is very spectacular. He had had some great walks there, and we can go whenever we like even if we move. We checked the wind before scattering, but true to form it changed direction (I think on his instruction) just as we started to scatter them, and my OH (who had had him since a pup) was covered in ashes head to toe. Some went in his mouth. I could almost hear that dog laughing, and now we truly do take him with us wherever we go.

I hope it will be a long time before you have to make the decision too. And blackcob - your info was very comforting, thank you.
 
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