Faithful Friends Pet Cemetery & Crematory

Knowing When to Say Goodbye to Your Pet

As a pet owner, one of the most difficult decisions you will ever have to make is when to cease your animal's suffering by putting him down. As hard as it may be to see your pet ill or in pain, the thought of losing your furry friend for good can be even more heartbreaking. Here is a guide to knowing when it’s time to say goodbye to your pet:

Picking Up on Out-of-Character Behavior
For many pet owners who have gone through the traumatic experience of putting a pet to sleep, one of the biggest reasons for doing so was that the pet simply stopped acting like himself. If your aging pet no longer seems alert, energetic, willing to eat, or is frequently having accidents around the home, then it's time to speak to a veterinarian about your pet’s quality of life and future well-being.

Evaluating Your Pet's Level of Comfort
Another sign that it may be time to discuss humane euthanasia is obvious pain or discomfort. Often, elderly pets who refuse to eat do so because of an underlying condition that is causing them discomfort, such as kidney failure or cancer.  If your pet is experiencing pain or is suffering, then it is your responsibility as his owner and companion to put that suffering to an end in a humane manner.

Consulting a Vet
While it may be a difficult conversation to start with your veterinarian, it's important that you be open and honest with your pet's doctor about your concerns. Resist the temptation to make the situation appear better than it is for the sake of keeping your pet around longer. Your pet will depend on you to make the best decision possible for his wellbeing—even if that decision is to put him down and spare him further pain.

At Faithful Friends Pet Cemetery & Crematory, we don't think pet owners should have to go through this difficult process alone. That's why our pet cremation and pet burial professionals make it their job to ensure that each client receives the support and guidance he or she needs to honor a pet's life. To learn more about our Fort Worth, TX pet cemetery, call (682) 587-2324 today.

Choosing an Urn for Your Pet's Remains

Preserving the ashes of a beloved pet inside an urn can keep his memory alive and provide closure. However, there are factors to consider when choosing purchasing an urn, included but not limited to size, cost, design, and what you plan to do with the ashes. Read on to learn more about the urn options offered by Faithful Friends Pet Cemetery & Crematory.

For purely decorative purposes, an elaborate design or brushed metal finish can provide a tasteful addition to interior or exterior décor. Alternatively, a wood urn or box can also provide an understated yet dignified resting place for your pet. A figurine or photo urn can provide a personalized touch to your loved one’s memorial and preserve fond memories.

Faithful Friends Pet Cemetery & Crematory has been serving the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for over 10 years, and our tranquil grounds can provide a peaceful resting place for your pet. We provide a wide range of pet memorial and burial services, including pre-need planning. Call (817) 478-6696 today to request more information.

Planning a Tasteful Memorial Service for Your Pet

Finding a way to honor a loyal friend that has passed away is daunting for many pet owners. Additionally, the emotional stress of coping with a significant loss and time constraints can make it even more difficult to handle the logistics of the funeral or memorial service. Consider these simple guidelines from Faithful Friends Pet Cemetery & Crematory to make the bereavement process simpler:

Sharing Memories
Grieving is an ongoing process that affects everyone differently. It is important to acknowledge the love and fond memories that your beloved pet left with each member of the family. Many owners find it helpful to collect favorite toys and to say a few words at the memorial; “The Rainbow Bridge” is a popular pet memorial poem.

Coordinating a Formal Service
A memorial service can range from something as simple as a private gathering in a backyard to a full burial or ash spreading ceremony. Be aware that not all crematoriums offer complete on-site funeral services, so coordinate the details as soon as possible to avoid any confusion. Pre-need planning or professional assistance can address items such as decorations, music, pictures, and speakers.

Planning Body Care
Depending on whether you cremate or bury the remains, you will have to choose from a selection of caskets, urns, and memorial markers to preserve your pet’s memory. Common options for body care include cremation or burial in a yard or pet cemetery; be sure to check if there are any local restrictions regarding burial if you plan to hold a service on private property.

Faithful Friends Pet Cemetery & Crematory has been serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area for over 10 years. From pick-up to body care to memorial services, we can help you pay your respects to your family friend in a dignified and respectful manner. Follow the link to learn more about our services or call (817) 478-6696 with any questions.

How to Explain Pet Loss to Your Child

When children form a strong bond with a family pet, the feelings of loss after the pet passes away can be overwhelming. This short video discusses a few common tactics for explaining the loss of a pet to a child and helping him cope in an emotionally healthy manner.

A formal ceremony is a common way to recognize feelings of loss and provide a sense of closure. The complexity of pet memorial ceremonies varies between different households; at least recognizing the pet as an important part of the family can help children address feelings of loss and help with the healing process.

The staff at Faithful Friends Pet Cemetery & Crematory understands the difficulty of losing a beloved family friend.  We offer a wide range of in-house pet memorial services to bid your pet goodbye in a dignified and respectful manner. Contact us online or call (817) 478-6696 with any questions about our services in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

How Pet Memorials Can Help Children Cope with Losing Pets

After a pet passes away, he can leave a significant void in children’s lives. However, learning to positively cope with grief is a valuable life skill. Although it can be difficult to plan a pet memorial while coping with the emotional loss of a close family friend, a formal service can serve a valuable purpose in the grieving process. Read on to learn how a pet memorial can help children:

Comprehending Death
Young children may find it difficult to understand death as an irreversible event. Children can easily misinterpret “death” as the pet running away or staying somewhere else—particularly if well-intentioned friends or family use euphemisms such as “being put to sleep” or “passing on.” A misunderstanding that the pet ran away or that the parents intentionally separated the pet from the family can result in feelings of resentment or betrayal. A memorial service can provide the groundwork for understanding that death is a natural part of life.

Understanding the Cause of Death
A pet memorial can provide children with an explanation of why their close friend is suddenly no longer around. Grief frequently does not always occur immediately after death and dissipate within a few days; it is a complex process that can vary in intensity over days, weeks, months, or even years. Taking the time to understand the cause of death can provide children with the information they need to healthily address negative feelings in the future.

Validating Profound Feelings
A child’s feelings of loss are as profound as any adult’s, but children may understandably have trouble processing these feelings. Children may feel confused or resentful if adults do not openly express grief over the family pet. A pet memorial service is an opportunity to formally recognize how much the pet meant to the entire family and help children understand that their sadness is only natural.

At Faithful Friends Pet Cemetery & Crematory, we understand the difficulty of bidding farewell to a precious member of the family. That’s why we’ve committed ourselves to providing compassionate and personalized end-of-life pet services throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area for over 10 years. Visit us online to see our beautiful grounds or call (817) 478-6696 today for more information.