Not sure whether to scatter our dog's ashes now or after moving

[Justlikestartingover2]

I’m hoping someone will be able to offer some advice to make me feel better!
Our much loved dog died in May. He had been unwell for a short while, with a slow and gradual decline in his health. Our vet was supporting him regularly and we went to see her twice a week to check that he wasn’t suffering. One morning he rapidly declined so we had to make the difficult decision to limit his suffering. Since May, his ashes have been at home with us. I was initially keen to scatter them in our garden and felt that this would be a comfort to us. However, our house is for sale and my husband cannot bear the thought of moving having scattered his ashes here. Our house isn’t even under offer so it will be at least 3 months before we move. There are walks we used to do that are special so we could scatter his ashes there but I want him close! Somehow it doesn’t seem right to be holding on to his ashes either. How can I resolve this?

May I suggest something similar to what I did?

We put some ashes in a house plant pot, which is now known as her ‘oops, careful of name’ ‘have you watered name recently?’ and then the rest we scattered at her favourite walking spot

Sorry for your loss.
Have you considered getting a large plant pot or trough, where you could put the ashes and compost and fill with shrubs and then you are able to take that with you wherever you move? You could put a stone or plaque or similar as a memorial of your beloved dog.

It's tough, and I empathise 💐. If you're moving some distance I'd take the ashes with you, but if you're staying relatively local I'd scatter them on one of your dogs favourite walk routes. That way you can visit him.

I buried my dog's ashes on the common where we walked all the time. She's under the roots of an old tree stump along a ridgeway with wonderful views across the countryside she knew so well. I still walk there, and other dog walkers who knew her, and how inseparable we were, often ask me if she's walking with me, and indeed she is. Yes I'm a mad old woman and I don't care 😆

I had a similar dilemma with my lovely cat. I bought a dwarf fruit tree and a very large pot and put her ashes in there. When I move I can plant the tree into the ground in the garden ❤️

Thank you all so much. This has given me ideas for a way forward. It’s incredibly tough, isn’t it? Xx

It's really difficult ❤️❤️ All you can do is remember the happy times and the love you shared, which would have to be profound to produce such grief. Best wishes to you xx

Def wouldn’t scatter now in garden

no rush to scatter

My dear departed dog is in a little tea light urn and he's in the living room on a shelf. I had the option of a cardboard tube to scatter his ashes in or his ludicrously expensive little urn so he got the paw print urn and he'll stay there.

It didn't feel right to have him in a tube and I just didn't want to scatter him in the end.

My mum will be in a urn one day too as she wants to be laid to rest on my Dad's grave.

I hope you find a way that suits you. The pot plants and trees sound lovely.

I buried our dog’s body with a silver birch sapling and nailed the tag on his collar to the fence it’s a lovely way to remember him and my mum still goes to the garden to say hello to him when she visits. He was such a character x

We've still got the ashes of 3 cats & 2 dogs as we keep on moving & didn't want to leave / scatter them somewhere we weren't staying for long in.

The ashes of our deceased cat recently moved with us. He died a few years ago but we’d mentioned wanting to move so the kids wouldn’t scatter him in the old garden. We have a bigger garden he’d have loved so will do so here!

Keep them till you move. Then he’s with you.

I like knowing my dogs are buried in the garden they loved, the garden they ferociously defended against the deadly attacks of cats and pigeons and leaves. Even if I don't live there anymore I love knowing they're at rest in their little kingdom.

I'm sorry you lost your furry pal. It's hard seeing them go.

Definitely keep them until you move. Our 2 boys ashes are in the spare bedroom in their wooden boxes - not sure why but I couldn't bear to scatter them!

I'd take mine with me, perhaps in a little necklace and then scatter some on a favourite walk. Sorry for your loss OP.

@SuzieGotYourNumber

If you are a mad old woman then I am too.

When I want to feel close to my late dog, I walk where we used to walk. It is the only time I can feel peace in my head.

OP? I would take my time and find a solution that suits you (and his memory) best. There is no rush.

And this is what adds to my dilemma. Our garden was awash with forget me nots when he left us. Like your dogs, he defended us against all kinds of dangers and it seems right for him to be in the garden he knew. Maybe I just won’t move house 🤷‍♀️

You could do as my friend did. Her husband died. He wanted no funeral and to be scattered in his favourite places. So there is a sprinkle of him in several places 😊

You can scatter a little in different favourite places & bring the rest with you. Ashes don’t have to always be left in one place & can be scattered over years if that suits better. Yes a pot plant is a lovely idea too.