We recently cremated Major, who was part of the Roseville Police Department until he was beaten and stabbed by a suspect a couple of years ago. Since then he learned to get around by using a set of wheels (a “dog” wheelchair?), but clearly missed going to work everyday. Major was another example of an amazing dog who worked alongside his human partner, willing to go to whatever lengths it required of him. There are many outstanding stories of dogs going above and beyond the call of duty, and that goes for highly trained service dogs as well as the family dogs so many of us share our lives with.

Dogs are not the only ones who give so much to their human companions. Since opening Pets Remembered we have heard heartwarming stories about cats, rabbits, birds, horses, alpacas, pot-bellied pigs, and even rats! The human-animal bond is quite amazing and we feel fortunate to hear about it everyday. And yes, when death comes to our pets it is very painful to bear the loss, but that’s only because our pets bring us so much joy and love.

What is fascinating to me is the way humans have figured out how to train dogs to smell out bombs, drugs, and other potentially dangerous substances, as well as sniffing out the scent of particular people. Watching the continuous coverage of the bombings in Boston last week, one could catch frequent sightings of the trained dogs at the side of their police officer handlers. Then on Sunday the “Sixty Minutes” program featured military personnel with their dogs who had been with them on the front lines in Afghanistan. It is really amazing to learn about the many ways that dogs are able to work along side of humans, and while I hate to think of sending dogs off to war, because it’s bad enough that humans engage in war, I do know (from sharing my life with many dogs over the years) that dogs love to have a purpose.

There are many wonderful training facilities around the world that work with dogs, teaching them how to assist people with a variety of disabilities. Those stories, too, are wonderful to hear about. On a daily basis, people’s lives are transformed because of the animals around them. That goes for people who need their trained dogs to help them live independently, as well as those of us who need our dogs to keep us company, to keep us engaged in life, to offer companionship, and to keep us amused! (And yes, I know dogs are not the only companion animals!)

For many folks, their pet has been through thick and thin with them, from a divorce or break-up, to the death of a close family member or friend, to the loss of a job, to a major geographical move, to physical or mental illness, and the list goes on and on. In many circumstances, we rely on our pets to help us through a difficult time, even more than another person, in part, because we have easier/simpler relationships with our pets than with people. Our pets listen to us, wait for us, delight in our presence, sit with us, play with us, accept us as we are, and love us unconditionally.

So, even in the midst of our deep emotional pain when the time comes to say goodbye, isn’t it a blessing that we are able to develop deep bonds between pets and people? Isn’t it wonderful that we can find a cat or dog or other type of animal to share our lives with us? Cheers to our animals! They live in our hearts and minds forever.

More recently, when our black lab, Boots, was diagnosed with pyloric stenosis a few months ago, surgery on an aging 10 year old was more than we wanted to put him through. In both cases, we knew Max and Boots had good lives, and we did our best to give them the best of our love up to the end. Now we have their ashes with us in lovely urns, plus a bit of each of them in garden stones.

It is difficult to watch the ones we love – be they human or animal – become ill and move toward death. Even when we believe their pain and suffering is kept to a minimum, the emotional pain of knowing that separation and the final goodbye are inching ever so closer is tough to live with. But in the end, the people and animals we love make life worth living. It is not possible to have joy without pain. Thinking of Governor Dayton and his dog, I am reminded of a quote that has been attributed to Dr. Seuss: “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” That pretty much sums it all up, although it’s still okay to cry!

Death is what we all have in common, regardless of our species. I like to think that animals are better at accepting death than humans are, because we are not very good at it. But even beyond the cat’s ability to be at the right place at the right time, it’s a great story about putting pets where they can be much appreciated, loved, and valued.

There was a time when I was a frequent visitor at nursing homes, and my favorite ones were those who included pets among their residents. Unfortunately, those were few and far between, but the resident dog/s and/or cat/s helped to create a homey atmosphere and offered great companionship to the human residents. I don’t think most of them had the gift of the above-mentioned cat to sense impending death, but they clearly added a welcome dimension to what can often be a lonely place.

For those of us who love pets, and even for those who have reservations about pets, they make life so much fuller and enjoyable, from cradle to grave!

One of the great things about being a pet person is that pets come in all shapes, sizes, and maintenance levels! Most of us think of cats and dogs when we think of pets, and they are the most common household pets, although the list of pets is quite extensive, from turtles and rabbits to fish and birds and more. Dogs have perhaps the biggest range in size and activity level from breed to breed – they can weigh in at five pounds (or less) or two hundred five (or more)! When your family includes a pet, it guarantees companionship and a creature to share your space with. Some of us believe our pets make us better human beings!

We all know people who are content without pets, and others who should not have a pet, for a variety of reasons, but for those who do want a pet and are able to provide a good home, it’s possible to find one that fits the bill. And that is good for the pets out there who need a home and the people who want to share their home. Dog and cat shelters to a wonderful job of matching people and pets. Hurray for them!

Sometimes the best we can do for them is to choose euthanasia, when it is clear that their condition will only worsen and their suffering will increase. Pet people typically have two choices when it comes to euthanization – either go to the vet clinic or find a vet who will come to their home. Skip and I are happy to now offer our pet cremation center as another location for euthanasia. We are partnering with MN Pets, a home euthanasia service whose vets do nothing but gentle home euthanasia.

While many folks opt for home euthanasia of their pet, for others that just doesn’t work out for a variety of reasons. With our collaboration with MN Pets, you may call either Pets Remembered Cremation or MN Pets to set up a day and time to bring your pet to our center for the euthanization by one of the MN Pets veterinarians. We will provide a home-like setting for you to say goodbye to your pet, and the cremation will take place immediately following.

We don’t like to think about death, whether it is our own death or one of our family members, including our pet. But death comes to all of us sooner or later, so we might as well make the best plans and arrangements we can to make the best of an unavoidable situation. We are here to help in any way we can.

I remember a brief time when I was pet-less. My dog, Sheba, had run away while I was on vacation (she was staying with friends of mine). After weeks/months of hoping she would find her way home, I finally gave up, but decided (with a list of pros and cons) that it wasn’t a good time for me to have a dog. Three months in an empty house was enough, and even though my cons outweighed the pros, I adopted Sophie, and apart from a short time living in an apartment in Phoenix, ever since then our household has included at least one dog because they are so wonderful to live with!!

Whether it’s a dog, a cat, a rabbit, a parrot, or some other creature, animals have a presence that fills our homes and once we are accustomed to them, it feels empty without them. Yes, when our households include one or more pets, there is more to clean, more stuff to buy (food, toys, etc), vet bills, and if it’s a dog, walks to go on, so pets are not for everyone. But they sure bring joy, laughter, companionship, and comfort. I’m happy to be in the 53% percent.

I have been pleasantly surprised to find something that brings comfort, even as we mourn our loss. Prior to opening Pets Remembered Cremation, when we were in the planning stages, Skip ordered a variety of memory merchandise so we could consider items to go with our cremation service. He sent a couple of photos of Boots off, and in return we received a pillow, a bag, and a blanket, each featuring an image of Boots. We have those items on display but have rarely heard any remarks or comments about them, nor have I given them much thought until now.

Those images of Boots give me a sense that, in some mysterious way, he is in our midst. When we got those items a couple of years ago I thought they were kind of corny, but now they bring me comfort, as do the formal family photographs (thanks to Patrick Nau!) we had taken over a year ago. I expected Boots to be with us longer than he was, but knowing how we cannot know when death will come, I am so glad we have visible ways to remember him.

On Christmas Eve morning, not wanting to see him suffer through his final days any longer, we had Boots euthanized. We’ve been through this before and it was every bit as painful as I remember it was with Max, our last black lab. Ouch. Saying goodbye to Boots really hurt. He’s been a wonderful dog for our family, and he was a wonderful host to everyone who came to Pets Remembered. Right now the urn with Boots’ ashes is on my desk and it seems so wrong that he isn’t sitting here telling me it’s time for dinner.

We are so glad we have Legend, but as all pet people know, each pet has his or her own personality and cannot be replaced (just like people!). Legend laid down next to Boots repeatedly in his final days, as if to comfort him. We like to think that Legend and Boots both knew, and accepted (or is that my wishful thinking?), that Boots was dying. I’m not sure if we found Boots or Boots found us over ten years ago, but I sure am glad that we had over ten years of living together. He was a good boy and he is greatly missed.