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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Can I bury my dog in my garden?

23 replies

Labradorlover · 10/09/2012 15:05

Old lab is being PTS tomorrow morning at home.

I'd like to bury him in the garden, but finding info is tricky and my brain's not really working at the moment.
From what I can gather, it's legal to bury pets on your own property. But I'm not sure of the depth required or anything I'm forgetting. Any thoughts/ info / advice appreciated.

OP posts:
coansha · 10/09/2012 16:49

As a child we buried several pets in our garden, do not use a bin bag! An old sheet and would dig at least 3 feet so over animals will not dig him up.
We had our last 2 cremated as knew we were moving back to uk and did not want to leave them behind.
Its a heartbreaking time, our dds were devastated but its a part of life and its so much richer for having them in it.
oh by the way the RSPCA have a rose named after them called best friend, you might like to plant it over his grave xx

Frontpaw · 10/09/2012 16:50

Can you have him cremated? We have with the last one.

Original poster
Labradorlover · 10/09/2012 16:59

I thought cremated at first, but apart from the cost ( £360 if you want the ashes back ), he's being put to sleep while DD at school, and she would like to have a funeral when she gets home. I'm also lucky that I have willing pals who suggested and offered to do the digging.
Also not sure about rigor mortis, when and how long does it last.......

OP posts:
TheGOLDCunnyFunt · 10/09/2012 17:04

I'm pretty sure you can, one of my sisters friends has no less than three great danes buried in her back garden.

I'm so sorry Thanks

TheGOLDCunnyFunt · 10/09/2012 17:05

Could you ask the vet if there are rules on burying pets?

MadAboutHotChoc · 10/09/2012 17:06

£360!!

It was £100 for us.

MadAboutHotChoc · 10/09/2012 17:07

And so sorry you are having to go through this heartbreaking time Sad

Aquelven · 10/09/2012 17:53

I'm so sorry you're losing him.

All my old dogs are buried in my garden. It's a very big garden, most of them are under the old apple trees in the orchard. I find it very comforting to know that they are still at home. They've got flowers planted on their graves & I talk to them most days on my way back through the garden from the field.

FiveHoursSleep · 10/09/2012 17:57

£360, where do you live? We are in London and it was £170 for us. You can probably cut costs even more if you contact your nearest pet crematoriam and take them up yourself....

laptopcomputer · 10/09/2012 18:00

It's fine to bury your pets in the garden. My parents have several dogs, a goat, ducks and a tortoise ;-) I would go at least 4 feet deep otherwise I'm sorry but the foxes will be in there.

Original poster
Labradorlover · 10/09/2012 18:02

Heart in bits and can't speak without crying. He's been such a lovely soul to have around.

OP posts:
Floggingmolly · 10/09/2012 18:04

Yes you can. Sad. It's awful, isn't it?

2girls2dogs · 10/09/2012 18:11

Oh, so sorry for you - its absolutely fine to bury at home, it might be as well to place him inside some heavy duty bags, maybe wrapped in his favourite blankets, and you will need a deep hole, about 3 feet. You will definately get comfort from keepin him at home with you, i had my dogs cremated and had their ashes back a we don't really have room to bury them in the garden and i couldn't settle until they came home :(

coansha · 10/09/2012 21:42

It's a terrible time, it seems so fresh when we said our goodbyes to our first dogs, although its now 5 years .
My mil refused to get another dog as it broke her heart, so sorry for you, enjoy your kisses & cuddles xx

Inthepotty · 10/09/2012 22:02

I'm so sorry, it's such a hard time isn't it. Best wishes to you and yours.

To answer your OP, we have our old cat buried under a blossom tree in our garden. My aunt has a horse, goat and no less than 3 GSDs buried on her property.

Jellykat · 10/09/2012 22:24

Oh Lablover, i feel so sad for you Sad

I am crying as i type this, I had to have my Goldie pts quite suddenly at home in June, it's absolutely heartbreaking to say goodbye, and i still miss him more then i can say.

As others have said, it is fine to bury them in the garden.. I will give you one practical word of advice- when he goes to sleep it is a good idea to let him lie on his blanket, then you can lift him gently using the corners.

They really do look peaceful, my boy slept for over an hour in the sitting room (it was pouring with rain) while we dug.. My thoughts will be with you tomorrow x

goshandspecs · 11/09/2012 08:23

So sorry.

You should ensure the grave is at least a metre deep to prevent foxes digging him out.

This poem may be of some comfort to you...

If I Should Grow Frail
-- by Julia Napier, copyright 1999

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain does keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done
For this - the last battle - can't be won.
You will be sad I understand
But don't let grief then stay your hand.
For on this day, more than the rest
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.

Take me to where my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end.
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must now be you
Who has to decide this thing to do.
We've been so close - we two -these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Principality · 11/09/2012 10:11

Yes, we burried our lab at home last week. :(

Our vet advised us to go 4ft deep and also to place a wooden board over the top of him. Then if foxes do try and dig they stop when they get to the board.

Sorry for your loss. Really awful time. X

Original poster
Labradorlover · 11/09/2012 19:05

Thanks everyone and thanks for the poem goshandspecs.
I'd totally the got the price wrong for cremation, the £360 was for that and xrays, bloods, and vet to come to our house to PTS.

I'm so glad I did get confused though, as it's meant that we could spend the day till DD got home, stroking and crying into his fur. Other dog was able to see and smell him.....at one point he just lay down next to his pal........ So glad we had that time.

He's now at peace and buried in the garden.

OP posts:
Jellykat · 11/09/2012 19:27

Ah, sounds like it was a lovely way to go, so surrounded by love and at home.

janemanby · 30/01/2013 11:44

I have always buried my dog in the garden and planted a fruit tree on top of the site.
when we pick the cherries etc we can think of them .
It also gives a chance to talk about the cycles of life and how our pets continue to add to life through their body decomposing and enriching the soil over many years.
Our very old standard poodle has a potted cherry tree waiting for him. He is after all 18
just a thought

OwlLady · 30/01/2013 13:52

I found it quite ritualistic digging the grave and then burying my dog :( I am really sorry you are having to do this too xx

portraitoftheartist · 30/01/2013 20:41

So sorry, Lablover.
The vet came to PTS our old boy at home, very peaceful and I held him then the vet and nurse carried him out to the hole already dug. I'd never do it any other way.

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