Considering A Pet Ash Scattering Service

At Farmstead Scattering Garden, we almost always have pets just beginning their lives and some nearing the end. Everyone wishes that a pet's lifespan could better match our own, but something is humbling about taking responsibility for something from the beginning to the inevitable ending.

Preparing for your pet's end of life is a deeply emotional process, but thoughtful preparation can help you honor your pet's life and provide them with the care and dignity they deserve. Here are five key considerations:

1. Assessing Quality of Life

• Monitor your pet’s behavior, appetite, and physical condition to determine their quality of life. Animals don't always show pain in obvious ways, so keeping a journal of how they live, such as including what and how much they eat or drink, can help paint a full picture.
• When our dog, Penelope, was struggling at the end, I had a journal full of details, including her seizures: When? How long did they last? It helped make those final decisions.
• Use tools like a quality-of-life scale to evaluate pain management, mobility, and happiness.
• Consult your veterinarian regularly to understand your pet’s condition and ensure they’re not suffering unnecessarily. Having a trusted relationship with a veterinarian is critical.

Large animal vets, in our experience, provide a more pragmatic perspective. I remember one of my favorite vets coming out one fall to assess an old mare that was struggling, and while I was struggling to decide if it was time, I asked him for his opinion.

His answer? "Holes get harder to dig in the winter." He wasn't trying to be callous or flippant about the situation. Still, he had already come to the conclusion that it was her time, so the only variable left for him to consider was the logistics of moving a 1,000-pound animal.

2. Creating a Care Plan

• Decide in advance how you’ll manage your pet’s care, including medications, special diets, and mobility aids. At Farmstead Scattering Garden, we have veterinarians who come out to the farm to euthanize our large animals, and we often opt for that same house call for our dogs and cats when required. Our pets are calmer in their home environment, and we prioritize their well-being even at the end.
• Consider hospice or palliative care to keep your pet comfortable during their final days.
• Plan for emergencies, like how to handle sudden pain or distress.

3. Making Afterlife Arrangements

• Research options for afterlife care, such as cremation, burial, or memorial services.
• Consider unique tributes, like scattering ashes in a meaningful location or creating a keepsake. Farmstead Scattering Garden is a mail-in service where your pet's cremains can be scattered on our working farm, where adventures continue. You can follow farm activities and photos on the Facebook page.
• Plan ahead if you’d like cremation for your pet. Decide whether you prefer an individual cremation, where the ashes are returned to you, or a group cremation, where the remains are not returned.

4. Emotional Support for You and Your Family

• Discuss the process with your family, especially children, to help them prepare emotionally.
• Seek support from friends, family, or pet-loss support groups to navigate the grief process.
• Allow yourself to grieve and commemorate your pet in a way that feels meaningful to you.

5. Knowing When to Say Goodbye

• Work with your vet to determine the right time for humane euthanasia, if necessary.
• Plan for the procedure to align with your pet’s comfort and values, such as an in-home service.
• Be present if you feel comfortable, as your pet may find comfort in your presence.

This preparation ensures your pet feels loved and cared for while giving you peace of mind that you’re honoring their life thoughtfully and compassionately. It is never easy to lose a pet. Looking back on the many different pets that have shared our lives, the few regrets we have experienced have always been waiting too long to say goodbye. At Farmstead Scattering Garden, we often find comfort in telling funny stories and sharing memories of our pets years after they have left us.