Sunday, May 13, 2007

Bonds of Love

As pet lovers, we share a special bond with our pets, one that continues when only the spirit remains. It seems fitting that we should remember them in the same manner that we cared for them in life, which is why Spirit Remains was created. Urns from Spirit Remains are for animal lovers who want a one-of-a-kind remembrance for their one-of-a-kind pet. There are many other places that offer pet cremation urns, but urns from Spirit Remains are not manufactured on an assembly line in a factory. They are unique and made with love. It may sound hokey and corny, but it's true. The first urn was made out of love for a dog, and the desire to remember her in keeping with her spirit in life; and the company was started to try to provide a similar remembrance for other pet lovers.

The idea to create a pet urn came after my yellow Lab, Suzie, died in August of '05. Her ashes from the vet's were in a very nice, black, wooden box that had a tassel on the top. I kept the box in a room out of sight, but that didn't seem right. I decided to make a pet urn for her ashes that was more uplifting and more about the way I wanted to remember her. Suzie made me happy, but that black box didn't really reflect her spirit. Something whimsical and light-hearted was what was needed. A pet cremation urn with different colors on the box and "tennis balls" on the sides (Suzie liked playing fetch) was just the ticket. An autumn tree was placed behind her, because she liked being outside. She had lots of heart, so glittering hearts were added around her. Small "posts" (dowels) raise the box, which signifies she is no longer grounded on earth. There are only three posts to symbolize something is missing or not balanced without her. Inside the box are her ashes encased in fabric with dog images on it. And her picture is in a frame inside the lid with her dog tag. I enjoyed making Suzie's pet urn. Seeing it reminds me of her love of life, her playful nature, and the bond we shared. I thought that other pet lovers might appreciate something similar. I also make cat urns, in the same spirit as the dog urns. Even if there are no ashes, the decorated box makes a nice keepsake and small tribute to man's and woman's best friend, whether feline or canine.

I'm interested in knowing what happened when your pet died, and if you did something special to remember him or her. Did you bury or cremate your pet? If he or she was cremated, did you keep the ashes and display them somewhere? Did you have more than one pet; and if so, could you tell if the remaining pets missed the one that died? Did you get another pet right away or swear you'd never have one again because the loss was too much to bear? Did you give yourself some time before you got another pet?

Thanks for visiting and participating.