take a trip to the funeral home when human friends pass

stinkerbelle · Puppy Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 17

This will save your sensitive weim from months of depression.

My husband passed away recently. The story involves how I decided to let them know that their beloved dad was no longer alive. After my husband’s remains were finally released by the county coroner, I took my dogs over to the funeral home. I was told by a gentleman that helped me, that as far as he knew, he had worked with the funeral home for the last 30 yrs, no dog had ever done what I had decided to have them do. Sullivan King funeral home goes back as far as the home that we live in, back to around the turn of the century, 1900. A dear friend, Mr. Tim Hume, accompanied me to the funeral home. We took the dogs in and a gentleman took them, one at a time, to the room that Chris’ body was in. I stood outside talking to them, soothing them. Belle went in first. She came out and was crying; I knew that she knew what she had seen and smelled. Cosmos went in next. He was all over the place, I felt, as he always had been. He ran in and out. The gentleman assured me that he had had a smell. For days and maybe a week there after, cosmos would respond, as he always had, if I mentioned the words “Chris” or “dad,” he would run to the door waiting for his master’s return. Now he does not run to the door. He knows his dad is not coming home. Like me, cosmos has lost about 10 pounds. The dogs are such sensitive creatures, we are all in morning. I thought, perhaps, if you wrote a story about this, it might help others whose animals are members of the family. I spoke with a woman who works (owns?) Bella, the clothing store on Main st in Anderson. Her husband passed away recently and when I told her my plans, she told me she wished she had thought of it when her husband died. She said that their dog was beside himself for 6 months.

ange165 · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:53 am Post subject:

your story is so sad, but I too wish that I had pushed my mother to take my dads miniature poodle to see him when he passed away last year. After he died, the little dog changed so much. When we wouldn't be able to find her, she'd be sitting on dad's shoes. I guess she just missed his smell.
Mum just didn't think it was appropriate, but I think it would have helped minnie say goodbye to her master.

luana80it · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:12 am Post subject:

i am so sorry. it was very nice for yout o bring your babies there with you.

nurse88 · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:20 am Post subject:

I am sorry for your loss. Before we got KD, my mom died in the house. Sometimes, I swear, KD can see her figure near the dining room window. I can almost hear her voice when I come in after work. I still don't don't want to get rid of all her stuff because then I am afraid I won't remember her. She raised me and I will forever be in her debt for doing what she could to keep the family together. With 12 kids and no one else, she could be an amazing person. I don't have contact with many of the others, so I am an only child for the first time in my life. Peg also lost her father after my mom died and she feels lonely because he was her anchor and now she has to do everything for her mom. Chris will be in our thoughts...

stinkerbelle · Puppy Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 17

I am kind of excited because I got a response from an email I sent out to the local media on the subjects. I got one smart fellow interested and when the article gets published, I will put it online here. Cool

joe2mill · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:49 pm Post subject:

what a touching story. we'll pray for you in your mourning.

weimdawgs · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 5:47 pm Post subject:

I am sorry for your loss. That was a wonderful thing you did for your dogs. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

waitingonmyweim · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:42 pm Post subject:

Wow, this story makes me sad for your loss. Thank you so much for sharing. I didn't know dogs reacted so strongly to death.

What a loving thing you did...

weim2mom · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 3:13 am Post subject:

So sorry for your loss. I'm sure your weims love you very much for doing that.

We'll keep you in our prayers. ((hugs))

nicwithcandy · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 8:14 am Post subject:

I can't stop crying right now at my desk in work. Thanks for sharing your story with us, and I am soo sooo sorry for your loss.

GailB · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 8:49 am Post subject:

Very heartwarming and touching story.....I am so sorry for your loss

Cathy · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 8:59 am Post subject:

I am so sorry for your loss stinkerbelle. Taking the dogs to say goodbye is a wonderful idea. They definitely understand more than we know.

freespiritmom · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 9:42 am Post subject:

This is a wonderful idea. I know my dogs will grieve if anything happen to one of us and I hope I am able to do this with my boys.