Post by @vivecachow

TW: pet loss and cremation 🪽 Thinking about aftercare was the last thing I wanted to do because it made everything feel real. I’m sharing this because I wish I had the resources at-hand during an overwhelming time. Pet in-home euthanasia — We went with Zen Dog Vet. Dr. Ray was gentle, wonderful and respectful. His fee was $530 for the euthanasia. Aftercare — We cleaned Moch up ourselves after euthanasia because once the sedative shot hit, his bowels relaxed (recommend double lining pee pads). We turned our AC down to be cooler, kept him around for 2.5 hours before transporting him to the crematorium. Having him lay on a blanket was easier to move him to the wagon to be wheeled into the car. We also put our t-shirts with him so he would have our scents the entire time. Setting up cremation appointment — The doctors often take care of the cremation, but for us, it was important to be there when Mochi was sent off. It provided us some sense of closure, but I was also irrationally paranoid his ashes would get lost in transit. I came across something called “Witness Cremation” where you can see your pet go into the chamber. We went with Pet Meadow in NJ and they were truly incredible. Once we arrived (no appt needed), they let us say goodbye to Moch in a private room before taking him to the cooling storage facility, where they keep the pets until it’s time for cremation. We then set up an appt (wait time was about a week). We left Moch with the blanket, our t-shirts, heart sutra transcriptions and pillows. Cremation — On the day of the cremation, the staff at Pet Meadow lay him out in the private room and we got an hour with Mochi. We laid out flowers that our friends sent. We also transcribed more heart sutras. We gave him his favourite treats. These were all cremated with him along with the blanket. You watch from the room as the staff presses the button when you are ready. Private cremation was $400, witness fee was $100. Ashes — We picked his ashes up immediately after. The beautiful wooden box is provided in the cost. I miss Mochi so much 🥺🪽 #petloss #grief #cremation #aftercare #nyc