Tuesday 20 November 2012

Item 34 Bury A Cat And....

I have been slave to an oppressive to do list since last connecting with you, dear readers. The spell broke with the arrival of the moving van. A whirlwind of men and blankets and dollies sucked up my worldly goods and sped off through the snow. My crumpled and well worn list, stripped of its power, lay abandoned on the counter.
I ran my finger down it one last time and stopped at item 34: bury one cat and two dogs.


What!!!
Its true. When each of our pets died we chose to keep their ashes in the house so they could continue to be part of family life. I regret this now as surely the poor things were entitled to rest in peace. Consequently  we had the remains of three animals who needed a final resting place. They were all gardeners in their own way, so into the garden they went.
 
Riley was a border collie. Herded us on family walks. Ate raspberries straight from the bush. Loved walks down by the river. Dumpster dived in the alley the minute the gate was left open.
 

 
Muffin supervised from the fence. Mouse catcher extraordinaire. When our neighbours moved in they were over run with mice and invited Muffin over for lunch on many occasions. Not grateful enough to have her remains buried on their property, where may I point out she spent many hours ridding you of your rodent problem. Apparently asking, "May I bury my dead cat in your yard" is not socially acceptable.
 
 
 
Bindi was our last baby. She loved gardening. It was her job to kill the weeds as we pulled them up and threw them behind us. It was our job after a long day in the garden, back aching, to gather up said weeds liberally distributed across the entire yard. She was always up for a discussion on the merits of a plant, mulching or garden design. In garden disputes she could be counted on to mediate in my favour.
 
 
 
 I'm leaving with happy memories of hours spent talking to these guys as I gardened.  Up by the fence and the raspberry bushes and roses they rest. It may not be the cemetery below but it is perfect for them.
 
http://londoninsight.wordpress.com/2010/10/06/pet-cemetery-hyde-park/

Cemetery in Hyde Park, London. 300 pets of royalty and local people are buried here


Two Men and A Little Farm have a post asking if we have a plan for our pets' earthly remains.
  


14 comments:

  1. You will be leaving them in the spot they loved to roam. For you they will always be in your heart. Hugs! Bonnie

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    1. It was a warm and fuzzy experience to recall their personalities while writing the post.

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  2. Your late pets were adorable. May they RIP. Best regards to you.

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    1. Thanks Stiletto. I must get over to your site again. You always have such fabulous photographs.

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  3. Very appropriate to bury them in the garden they loved. A touching post, but I loved how you threw in some light hearted jokes. The face of the first cat photo had me laughing out loud, all the while wondering what #34 on the list meant.

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    1. The last three weeks have been crazy. Absolutely everything had to be on a list!

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  4. What a sweet eulogy to well-loved pets. I hope the move goes well and that you enjoy your new digs. Have a happy Thanksgiving.

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    1. Thanks Grace. Happy Thanksgiving to you too.

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  5. Awww, thank you for the mention. Nicely done and shared with all of us. Beautiful pets, thank you for sharing their stories with us. They are where they belong, and their memories will always be with you.

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    1. I love your blog. A nice combination of farming and decorating. Two of my favourite subjects. Currently enjoying the pig updates.

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  6. I didn't realize you had decided on a house! Congrats with it all! I have two wooden boxes of pet ashes on my bookshelf. I had planned on putting them in my garden but couldn't bear to do it. I don't know if I ever will. Looking forward to posts about your new garden/house!

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    1. Well my hand was forced. I felt they wouldn't be happy in a place to which they had no connection. My husband had to officiate as I got a bit weepy.

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  7. what a sweet post, entertaining as ever, with funny as well as sad bits. I find it very moving that you were now ready to bury them, and leave their ashes behind, just holding onto memories and photos. Amazing expression on Muffin's face. It's a new stage ... good luck susan.

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    1. Thanks catmint. I really feel this will be a significant stage of my life. I just hope I have the energy to pull it off.

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