Ashes?

We put our 15 year old chocolate lab (Salix) down in February. She was the best. Pheasant dog turned waterfowl dog later in life, and most importantly a member of our family. I would have cloned her if I could. Time got the best of her though, and we could tell she was getting uncomfortable. We took her in for a check up and expert advise from the vet, and she was gone 20 minutes later. I wasn’t prepared for what we had just done. Luckily they had an old bag of popcorn in their break area, and I was able to give her favorite treat before she passed.
Well, it been a month and my wife and I are still finding ourselves grieving more then we should. We just got her ashes back which brought back floods of memories. I’m kinda lost what we should do with her ashes. I’ve thought about putting her in something nice and keeping her around the house. Maybe, spreading her ashes at one spot or numerous spots where we had fun adventures. I guess I’m looking for any other ideas. Thanks.

Side note…. kinda stupid, but I still find myself looking. If you go to YouTube and look up “Salix retrieves a goose” I’m pretty sure that was her last retrieve a few years ago. My buddy put it on there for fun, but now it means a lot more to me. It’s under a minute, but still brings me to tears.

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Sorry to hear man. Beautiful dog. I personally don’t like the idea of keeping them around. When my dog goes his ashes will be spread at a favorite campsite on an island on the river.

You could spread some ashes at your favorite locations you had with her, then keep some back. Maybe get in contact with a decoy carver about making a decoy urn to have the rest put in and placed on the mantel, that way she will still be around but was also let free at your favorite spots.

Jeff mattingly wrote:

my wife and I are still finding ourselves grieving more then we should

Definitely not more than you should. Great dogs know us, love us, and give to us unconditionally. It’s a very tough time and we are so sorry for your loss. Best wishes to you and your wife

Great looking dog. Sorry for your loss….

-J.

We have our three kids one top of the kitchen cabinets. Each in their own box with a photo of them on the front. Not for everyone, but it works for us.

BTW. That was a great video…it hurt.

Justin Laack wrote:

You could spread some ashes at your favorite locations you had with her, then keep some back. Maybe get in contact with a decoy carver about making a decoy urn to have the rest put in and placed on the mantel, that way she will still be around but was also let free at your favorite spots.

The decoy thing is a great idea. I told my wife many years ago that I want my ashes put into a duck decoy. I want her to have my hunting buddies take the decoy out hunting with them and at the end of the hunt they are to shoot and sink it or just leave it out and not pick it up. If they leave it out I want a note on it that says it contains my ashes – I don’t want it picked up by some random hunter and left in a decoy bag in some dirty shed. I know I’m a bit strange.

I had a decoy carved for a portion of my last dog, Maggie’s ashes who passed away about a year ago. I brought the decoy out once last season on a solo hunt where it was just myself and my young dog, Lindy. I intend to continue the tradition once each fall.

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Whats worked for us has been to spread the ashes in a favorite place of theirs, outdoors, and have a few nice pictures made, and framed up for the house. No real right or wrong way when it comes to this, as what ever is right for you is all that maters.

We grieved hard too. Initially we were going to bury her ashes in our back yard.
I even sent away for a very nice stone but when it came time neither of us wanted to do it. We still have them in a cupboard in the house. We decided not to think about it and do what comes naturally down the road. For now its more comforting to have her with us. Her memorial is outside and we are very happy with it.

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Thanks everyone for their support and ideas. This is giving me a direction to go in.
Jon Jordan thanks for posting her video I wasn’t expecting that, but that was very kind of you.

Jeff, sorry for your loss. Take your time before deciding what to do with the ashes.