Utility Bar

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Pawcurious: With Veterinarian and Author Dr. V

Celebrating the truth that pets make people better.

  • RSS
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Google +
  • Goodreads
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Home
  • About
    • Bio
    • FAQ
  • Speaking
  • Pet Expert
  • Writing
  • Books
    • All Dogs Go to Kevin
    • Press
  • Blog
    • Picks of the Litter
    • Popular Posts
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Daily Life / Cancer sucks / Lost in translation

Lost in translation

August 7, 2009 by Dr. V

In the urn post, some of you said that you didn’t feel a need to have your loved ones’ ashes back. I get that. I mean, it’s just soot and shadows and memories. Nothing of what made them what they are remains.

Emmett had a big red mane like a lion. He was the most huggable dog I’ve ever met. I spent hours with my face buried in his neck- studying for board exams, seeking solace, or just hanging out. You can’t do that with a hard edged box.

He used to be waiting for me by the door every day.

He spent the afternoons curled up on the overstuffed couch. We chased him off it for a few years, then stopped bothering.

He and Mulan can still hang out in their favorite place, the living room.

*sigh*

This sucks.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Cancer sucks, Daily Life, Picks of the Litter Tagged With: Emmett, sad, saying goodbye

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Megumi says

    August 7, 2009 at 5:23 am

    It absolutely sucks… and even though it’s not the same, I’m glad he’s home with you and Mulan.

    Many ((hugs)) for you, Dr. V.

  2. Chile says

    August 7, 2009 at 5:43 am

    It does suck. I still kiss Blade four times every night before I go to bed. It’s not the same as burying my face on his if I pretend hard enough, it’s almost like it could be real. But I also pretend it’s his ears that I’m rubbing when in reality they are really Cookie’s.

    I do have one of those pendants that you’re supposed to put the ashes in but I chose to put some of his hair in there. Because his hair was everywhere and it was a constant struggle to keep the mini-Rotties down. And you could tell you got a Blade drive-by due to the amount of hair clinging to your clothes.

    I’m so sorry Jess. *hugs*

    • Dr. V says

      August 8, 2009 at 9:54 pm

      Having another dog around is helpful. I spent a lot of time at work ‘borrowing’ other people’s dogs for extra rubs and hugs.

      • Chile says

        August 10, 2009 at 8:16 am

        Doggie kisses always help chase the sadness away.

  3. Nicole says

    August 7, 2009 at 6:59 am

    If it offended you, I truly didn’t mean for it to D: I really do get that other people do find that a helpful part of the grieving process.

    Can I just say that that picture of Mulan in a dress is adorable? And exactly the sort of “lol happy” picture I’d want to have around after I lost a pet?

    • Dr. V says

      August 7, 2009 at 9:30 am

      I’m not offended at all. 🙂

  4. Kim says

    August 7, 2009 at 7:24 am

    {{{crappy internet hugs}}}

  5. Sara says

    August 7, 2009 at 7:29 am

    My persian “Murphy” stopped eating and went from 9.5 to 6.8 lbs so fast Im still not exactly sure what happened. Sub Q fluids and liquid food forced into his mouth several times a day for a few weeks to no avail. His ashes are still in the ugly flowered metal box they sent him in but I have an 8 x 10 extreme close up of his face smack in the middle of my fridge door that I stare at several times a day. I remember with great detail exactly what it felt like to pet his face and his smell. I hope I always do.

  6. Kim says

    August 7, 2009 at 7:32 am

    Meant to mention – there’s a montage site called One True Media that does a ton of features for free (a lot more for $3 a month). It helped me to collect happy photos and videos. You can upload your own songs or choose theirs. Of course for Bail I chose “What A Wonderful World”. It was a project that helped turn my focus back to what was good.

    • Dr. V says

      August 8, 2009 at 9:55 pm

      That is EXACTLY what I was looking for!! Thank you!!

  7. Jamie says

    August 7, 2009 at 11:58 am

    I’m glad I’m not the only one who has taken a picture of the box.

    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/GoldEyes/DSC03441.jpg

    This is what I have up on the wall in our living room to keep Chase around though. (we also have B/W 8x10s of our two current dogs next to it.)
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/GoldEyes/DSC03463.jpg

    Big hugs to you!!!

    • Dr. V says

      August 8, 2009 at 9:55 pm

      Chase was so handsome, Jamie. I love that picture.

      • Jamie says

        August 9, 2009 at 6:35 am

        Thank you. He had the softest ears! That is what I miss most about him, even though our Husky is SUPER soft, nothing compared to Chase’s ears. I just have to add a picture of Chase smiling, even though he was sick, you never would have known, except for his shaved belly from the splenectomy, until a day before he passed when he got really sick. Sigh. I miss my boy, even 6 months later.

        http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/GoldEyes/chaserman.jpg

        • Chile says

          August 10, 2009 at 8:16 am

          He was so beautiful Jamie. I just wanted to let you know that you’re in my thoughts, I know how hard it is. I’m facing the two year anniversary of losing my Rottie and it’s so hard. I hope that our boys are playing together.

  8. Georgia Jewel says

    August 7, 2009 at 5:22 pm

    Kevin is getting too greedy. He just took my other corgi, Elvis, only a month after losing my girl Beau. I am heartbroken but relieved that I made in home from our vacation in time.

    • Dr. V says

      August 8, 2009 at 9:56 pm

      Oh, no. I am so, so very sorry. That is so heartbreaking. You are in my thoughts.

  9. kimchi says

    August 7, 2009 at 7:34 pm

    That definitely sucks.
    (((((HUG)))))
    Hang in there.

  10. Deanna says

    August 8, 2009 at 3:59 am

    The picture with the cookie totally broke my heart. My sister lost one of her dogs in April, and I still haven’t.. figured out how to deal with it (he was my dog, too). It’s bittersweet, he was a very abused dog when we got him so I’m glad he at least got to have a family that loved him.

    • Dr. V says

      August 8, 2009 at 9:57 pm

      I think it’s sometimes even worse when it’s not technically ‘your’ dog, then you aren’t allowed to be sad at all, right? My sister was just about as devastated over Em as I was, but she really had no one to talk to, except me.

  11. casacaudill says

    August 8, 2009 at 10:03 pm

    We have Charlie in a ceramic “urn” that he came home in but we haven’t found anywhere special for him. I should look into that. We buried Miles in the backyard where it gets the most sun – he loved sunbeams like no other animal I’ve seen. We planted an orange tree next to him. Sure, he won’t always be with us because we’ll move, but that tree will go on long after we’re gone. I do have a picture of him as a kitten prominently displayed in the living room. I sometimes get teary eyed and will just go talk to him and tell him I miss him.

  12. Kari says

    August 11, 2009 at 3:20 pm

    I moved shortly after having to put my kitty down this past June, and I’m kind of glad I did… there wasn’t the constant reminder of where he should have been, ya know? I mean, I have that same cedar box on my shelf too (only mine doesn’t have Stein’s name on it!) but it sucked so much to get out of the car and not have him sitting there waiting for me on the sidewalk.

    I love what you did with those pics. I really really do.

  13. Senior Pooch says

    September 4, 2011 at 8:01 am

    Thanks for sharing. I had to put my pal down a few months back and decided to get his ashes back. I get why folks might not feel it is important, but think it’s a nice tribute when we can do that. My latest addition (another senior pooch) wore his “brother’s” scarf to an interview that we just did.

  14. Jackattack says

    April 11, 2012 at 4:42 pm

    This blog has helped me so much…..I lost my beloved boxer Jackson Pete shortly after Christmas. I haved moved his ashes from the fireplace mantel to my night stand beside my bed (he slept with me at night). He is in a velvet bag that says “Untill we meet again at the rainbow bridge.”. I could not of imagined not bringing him home. He is where he belongs…..at home with his family. We miss him daily.

Primary Sidebar

Picks of the Litter

Popular Posts

  • Much Love to the Cat Guys
    Much Love to the Cat Guys
  • Why I Hate That Stupid Mom Pie Quote
    Why I Hate That Stupid Mom Pie Quote
  • What You Should Know About the FDA Alert on Grain Free Dog Foods
    What You Should Know About the FDA Alert on Grain Free Dog Foods
  • The Seven Deadly Sins: Lust
    The Seven Deadly Sins: Lust
  • Flash Mountain
    Flash Mountain
  • Vaccine vs Disease, Parvo Edition: an Infographic
    Vaccine vs Disease, Parvo Edition: an Infographic
  • Here's Who I Blame for the High Cost of Vet Care
    Here's Who I Blame for the High Cost of Vet Care
  • Animal Use in Pet Food Research: The Hill's Approach
    Animal Use in Pet Food Research: The Hill's Approach
  • Global Pet Expo: A few of my favorite things, part 1
    Global Pet Expo: A few of my favorite things, part 1
  • Too old to adopt?
    Too old to adopt?

Posts by Topic

Posts by Date

Footer

On Instagram

No images found!
Try some other hashtag or username

On Facebook

On Pinterest

  • Game of Thrones Houses
  • Is It OK To Text a Vet Friend For Free Advice? – Pawcurious: With Veterinarian and Author Dr. V
  • How Not To Kill Your Cat This Easter
  • Infographic: "42 Funeral and Burial Rituals from Around the World"
  • Throwing a dog friendly Bark Party is the best way to meet new neighbors! Check out my tips for a successful dog meet-up and giveaway, sponsored by @StateFarm!
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • PR, Giveaways, and Brands
  • © Copyright 2009-2025 Pawcurious, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
  • Web Design by Moxie Design Studios
Scroll Up