16. February 2010 by Pet Cemetery Caretaker.

It was cold, dark day with a few snow flurries ever so gently floating down from the sky covering the ground and tombstones. We have just finished digging the grave as the owners of the deceased pet pulled up crunching the snow under the tires in the parking lot.

It is very quiet at the pet cemetery with just a few screeches of birds in the distance. The owners had picked up the pet casket a few days earlier and placed their pet in it. The family wanted to carry the beige colored casket with leaf imprints on the sealed lid from the car to the gravesite. Sniffles are heard as the dad, mom, son and daughter approach dredging through the snow-covered ground as they make their way in between tombstones.

As they set the three-foot plus casket on two straps that will help lower it into the grave, I inquire which side the pet’s head lays. We make sure to properly place the casket in the grave so if a future tombstone were placed at the pet’s location it would be at head.

After the placing the casket on the ground the father looks up to the sky as a snowflake gently hits his face and comments their pet always did like to play in the snow. The son, who is the real guardian of the pet, looks up as well noticing the grave site is under the very large branches of a tall oak tree with the sides of his mouth every so slightly form a slight grin. He mumbles how his pet liked to chase squirrels up the trees as a few small tears immerge from his puffy eye.

I inquire if they would like me to give them a few minutes prior to burial or say a prayer. I am told prayers and goodbyes were made in private at the car. I also ask if they would like to stay for the actual burial as in some cases individuals would rather leave at this point. Wanting to stay I request if the son would like to assist with the straps lowering the casket into the grave. He immediately consents and we every so slowly lift the casket from the ground and lower it into the grave. After pulling the straps from under the casket I offer to each the option to place the first shovel full of dirt into the grave, several oblige.

Again I courteously ask if they want me to continue with the burial. As I begin to fill the grave with the moistened dirt I make small conversation about the pet’s life. Several heart-tugging stories are murmured and a few laughs about the 13 years of fun and joy their faithful pet provided.

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15. February 2010 by Pet Cemetery Caretaker.

Many people in the St. Louis area are unfamiliar with one of the largest pet cemeteries in the Midwest that exists off of Big Bend near route 141. For over 50-years the location has provided a final resting place for pet lovers over the six acres.

To date over 2,500 pets are interned with a large quantity of tombstones and beautiful flower arrangements abundant throughout the park-like setting.

There are countless stories that are shared during a burial that are very helpful for a closure after the loss of a faithful pet.

Many more stories will follow of different ways individuals live their lives with their pets and unfortunately have to say good bye to a beloved member of the family.

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