Comments on: Can I Bury My Dog Or Cat At Home?

By: MK

MK — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 05:20:33 +0000

On 20 February 2024, we lost our first dog at the age of 9.5years to cancer. He was a large, handsome border collie, very sweet and protective in nature. We never experienced pains and heartbreaks like the loss of my dog. We were unable to leave him behind at the vet’s hospital knowing he longed to be home and did not want to go. We could not bear the thought of leaving him behind in a cold morgue so we brought him home the same evening. Oscillating between what we would do, we found this article that guided us to give him a well-deserved garden burial the next day under a young magnolia tree. We made a heart shaped garden in his name. I will never forget digging his grave in sweltering heat with tears streaming down my face. But the sense of rest, peace, dignity, and connection back to the nature at the end is all worth it. I could feel his presence when I sit by his garden, so do my family. My other dog who grew up with him often comes to rest near the garden as if he had never left.

By: Joleen J. Gonser

Joleen J. Gonser — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 01:11:37 +0000

An additional comment about what to wrap pets in for burial: my three cats, all now in the backyard, are wrapped in beautiful gift paper – which I knew would be quite biodegradable.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 23:20:16 +0000

In reply to Frankie. Hi Frankie. You’ll find other answers to this question; my short answer is I don’t know. My guess is that it would have to be at least 30 cm wider than your dog at all points and above and below.

By: Frankie

Frankie — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 11:12:59 +0000

My darling dog will pass soon. I won’t have the physical strength to dig a hole a metre deep so would like to bury her in a pit. She is a mini schnauzer only 6 1/2 kilos.
What size pot shoukd I get and can I just put soil all around her (and I will wrap her in cotton). Thank you

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 22:48:34 +0000

In reply to Fariba Ra. Hi Fariba. I’m afraid the reality of osteosarcoma is that it is quite painful. You can look into human experiences of the same cancer, for example. Dogs don’t alert us to chronic pain very well, so it’s up to us to be very tuned in to them. Sometimes the only sign is being more withdrawn. As your question about the soil, I really don’t know but it’s probably not a big problem either way.

By: Fariba Ra

Fariba Ra — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 11:50:34 +0000

Hi Andrew
Thank you so much for your time and guidance. We have prepared the gravesite for our much loved 9 yrs old Rottie who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. He has deteriorated significantly over the past 6 months and has been walking on 3 legs and recently struggling to keep up his balance while on painkillers. The most difficult question which has been eating us away is whether he’s in pain. He doesn’t seem to be whining or crying. Could he possibly be in pain even though he lays down so calmly? And how can we tell if he is?
My second question is, whether it is ok to fill up the gravesite with the clay soil ( clumps) we removed? Or should we mix it with other types of soil for better drainage and compaction? I’m concerned the water to raise or flood after a heavy rain. Many thanks

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sun, 06 Aug 2023 06:49:16 +0000

In reply to Collen. Hi Collen. Regarding the microchip, you should get a renewal notice from your council, and when you notify them, I expect they will update the database. However, there is no necessity to do so.

By: Collen

Collen — Sat, 05 Aug 2023 22:45:32 +0000

In reply to Sue.

Hi,
My dog is old and weak, expect anytime to pass away…When time comes planning to burry him in my yard, place memorial stone with rose tree.
My dog has microchip, how do I go about that? Do I need to report somewhere that he passed away and what did I do with his body?
I live in Sydney, NSW
And thank you for this article, its so thoughtful of you, thank you

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 04:40:53 +0000

In reply to Sue. Hi Sue. It’s definitely not ideal, but if you cover the area with pavers and go out probably another 30 cm on each side it should be okay.

By: Sue

Sue — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 01:13:28 +0000

Thank you for your helpful article Andrew. I am digging the hole for my nearly 16YO Kelpie/Retreiver X so that I don’t get caught out when the time comes. I’m down to clay and won’t be able to dig to a metre. My yard is fenced and no other animals so do you think a soil coverage of 30cm is enough? There will be pavers on top.
Also, there is a raised tank bed 1.2M away with a fruit tree in it. I don’t think its roots will ever get to ground level. Any water run off will be away from the fruit tree. Is this distance safe?
I appreciate your advice, thank you.