Ashes to Ashes

Many people don’t understand the concept of holding on to the cremains of a loved one. After all, the ashes are merely the residue of the outer shell; they contain no life or awareness. When the urn houses the remains of a beloved pet, even more people will shake their heads and often make insensitive remarks.

I am one of those people. One of the questionable ones, not the critical ones. I not only have a few of my late husband’s ashes tucked lovingly in one of my dresser drawers but I also have three little urns containing the cremains of my most recent fur children to pass from this life.

I can’t explain why this is important to me. Even if I could, someone who has never experienced these feelings would not be able to comprehend. Unfortunately, many folks express incredulity over the simple idea that some of us love our pets with the same fervor that we love humans.

I know that animals weren’t created in God’s image, as human beings were. But they were created by God, and the Bible teaches that He cares for all of the living things in the world. Some people feel no pull toward critters, and that’s okay (as long as they aren’t cruel…). Others of us have loved animals from childhood. So God leads us to animals that can be our pets – our best friends. My dogs have gazed into my eyes with love emanating from theirs. They have let me squeeze them and weep into their fur. No matter what has gone on in my life, they could always make me smile. When one of them is gone, it hurts. I feel empty.

I don’t talk to their ashes as though they are still alive. I just want them with me. Perhaps as tokens of how much we meant to each other; little mementos of our time together. Maybe even as an earnest that we will be together again in the next life.  

I picked up Scamp’s cremains today. It’s so hard to believe that what’s left of my sweet, vibrant dog is packed into a small container. Through my pain, he still makes me smile as I picture him now in Heaven. He is scampering joyfully, occasionally running up to the Lord and asking, “Was that my mom who was talking to you just now?”

Fly high, sweet dog. Mama will see you soon.