The following isn't the happiest of subjects and one that we want to push 
  to the back of our minds until forced to face them head on.
  Here we deal with forward planning, what you can try to arrange before
  loosing your pet becomes a reality.

  This is possibly the hardest page to write as your thoughts and feelings can
  run away with you.
  Firstly, what follows are our views, views which we would never push
  onto others but maybe our views, the way we've tried to cope may be of 
  some help.

  When we loose our friends we're in shock, not thinking straight and in so
  much pain that it's indescribable hence the reason for this article.

  Although you can never fully prepare for the loss of your beloved friend
  there are things you can address before the inevitable day comes.
  It may be an idea to think about where your pet should be if your vet is to
  perform this final act, an act of kindness if your having to think ahead.
  Most vets will come out to your home to aid the passing so it may be
  worthwhile discussing this with your vet so that when the decision is made
  that'll be one less upset to worry about.

  Sadly, you will also need to decide what you want done with your friend,
  do you want to bury him or have him cremated?
  Burial in a favourite spot is usually the first thought but considering the
  size of your friend this may not be feasible besides, you may move on
  having to leave your beloved pet behind.
  Cremation on the other hand means your pet can always be with you
  whether you decide to keep the ashes, bury them or move on to pastures
  new.
  If your to decide on cremation then it would be worthwhile contacting the 
  preferred crematorium before hand to let them know in advance.
  If possible, although it's not easy, I'd always recommend that you take your
  pet there yourselves where possible as it will save any awkward questions
  and concerns later on.

  This next bit is horrifying but some crematoriums allow you to have a look
  round, some even allow you to witness your pet being cremated as this can
  ease the mind when yet more concerns arise at a later date.
  Be warned, it's not a nice place to visit especially behind the scenes so
  serious thought should be given before undertaking such a visit.

  You should try and decide whether you will want to scatter your pets ashes
  or keep them.
  Please let the crematorium know as they will provide a scatter box if the pet
  is to be scattered, they also have a range of urns should you want to keep
  your pet a while.

  You may also want to compose a small tribute to your pet which should 
  you choose to keep your pet, can be engraved onto a plaque on the urn.
  This is also a good idea should you be burying your pet and want to erect a
  memorial.

  If possible, try to arrange a few days away to try and come to terms with 
  your loss although when you return home it will still be hard.
  If you think that you'll be unable to cope, do not be embarrassed to contact
  your doctor before hand who can prescribe something to help you through
  the coming days.

  These are all things that can be set in place before the day comes whether it
  be through illness or old age.
  It is a horrible thing to think about but when the day comes, you'll be able
  to devote all your thoughts and time to your pet.

  Here I would like to share our own experiences.  The following may be
  upsetting to some but it may also be of help.

  When we lost Corra it was so sudden, we had no warning at all hence the 
  above.
  Corra died at home so the first thing we did was contact the vet although
  why I do not know.
  We then laid her in the back room opening the window to free her spirit, 
  we also lit a candle for her.
  We then contacted our local crematorium and arranged to take her in the 
  next day.

  Corra lay in the back room over night with at least one of us with her so
  that Mick and the cats could see she had gone, we also kept a candle
  burning for her.  Doing this allowed us time to say our goodbye's, try to
  take in what had happened and try to focus on what to do next.  It was also
  a time to reflect.

  Next day we delayed and delayed taking her away.  Mick went to his 
  grannies so he wasn't here when we left.  It was very difficult to leave the
  house as I wouldn't let Corra go, I was sure she'd waken up given time.  As
  I've said, shock can make you totally irrational.

  At the crematorium we were shown into the small Kennel of Rest where 
  we could stay with her for as long as we needed.  John was shown around
  the place as he wanted to know exactly what was going to happen to our
  precious girl in order to put his mind at rest.

  Corra was cremated with part of a stick she'd been chewing a couple of 
  days previous and a lovely posy of flowers gathered from our garden.

  We got her back two days later in an urn with a lovely brass plate on it
  bearing a hastily written tribute along with a lovely little sprig of dried 
  flowers.  You also get a certificate to certify that the ashes are that of your
  beloved pet.

  We cannot part with her, she's in a special place in the hall along with 
  some flowers, a picture and a small box containing the other part of her 
  last stick, her name tag, some of her hair and a letter to her.  She's waiting
  for the day when one of us pass over, then she'll be placed with whoever 
  goes first to be reunited on the other side.
  As the law stands an animal is classed as a possession therefore, as you are
  allowed possessions to be placed with you, there is no law against them
  being your pets remains.

  With Lucky it was slightly different as he was helped on his way at the 
  vets.  He too stayed over night in the back room with the window open 
  and a lit candle.  The animals visited him and one of us as with him all
  night.

  The next day we went back to the crematorium, stayed with him a while 
  and he was cremated with another bunch of beautiful flowers out of his
  favourite neighbours garden.
  We went back for him an hour later and he came in a scatter box with a
  dried sprig and certificate.
  We'd planned to scatter him but yet again, we don't feel able to part with
  him as yet so he too is in the hall along side Corra.

 The second time when we lost Lucky was slightly easier as we knew what to 
 do, maybe as his passing wasn't such a shock, we knew he wasn't coming home 
 that day.

 Then we lost our Maxie Boy.  We knew he wasn't right and I suspected he 
 had the same problem as Corra, a ruptured spleen which proved to be the case.
 Maxie was helped on his way by Ann our wonderful vet.  Whilst John fed him 
 treats whilst I carassed his head, he just reached forward, took his final treat 
 then dropped his head into my lap.  It was very peaceful.

 Maxie didn't stay over-night as John couldn't cope with the fact that he was 
 gone so against my own judgement (and wishes), Maxie went directly to the
 crematorium.
 We went back later that day to pick up his ashes which were placed in an urn,
 his certificate and sprig of flowers. He too is now in the hall with Corra and Lucky.

 As you can see, three different situations but all have the same outcome!  When
 it comes to loosing your family pet, nothing is carved in stone, you do what you
 feel is right for you at the time, no one else!
  
  The one thing I would suggest, should you decide to have your pet 
  cremated then please, please don't scatter the ashes straight away as your
  mind will still be in turmoil, you'll still be grieving and once those ashes 
  are gone then they've gone.  It's far better to keep them for a while until 
  you can make a reasonable decision, one you'll not regret at a later date.

  It is important that you do allow yourself to grieve and not bottle it up no
  matter how long it takes.  Through time you'll start remembering the 
  good times, the funny things that happened between you and yet again, 
  through time you'll find yourself sitting with a daft smile on your face as
  some silly memory has just popped into your head.  You'll also have times
  when for no reason you feel an overwhelming sense of grief, it just sneaks
  up on you but these should fade to be replaced with those daft smiles. 
  They do take time to come but when they do you'll have them appearing 
  more and more often.

  You may want to erect a memorial to your pet in a favourite place, maybe
  plant a favourite tree.
  Corra has a big rose bush and Lucky has a weeping willow.
  We also have what we call a "memory box" containing Corra's favourite 
  toys, original collar and lead, photo's of happier times, her achievements
  and her certificate.  We find this of great comfort.  Lucky unfortunately
  hasn't got a memory box but were working on one.
  We also wanted to adopt a kennel at a rescue centre in Corra's name but 
  until now there isn't such a scheme nearby although we can adopt a dog
  from the NCDL, but we wanted a kennel, something that will bear her
  name and help other rescue dogs.  Instead we donate to a couple of chosen
  charities in her name.

  Do not feel pressurized into putting away your pets belongings, leave it
  until you feel the time is right and please don't feel pressurized by well
  meaning friends suggesting you have a new friend, take your time and
  you'll know when it feels right.

  In our own case we delayed finding another friend, we felt the time wasn't
  right but then Freya came along and I have got to admit, she's helped a lot
  with the pain of loosing Corra, a pain I didn't ever think would fade, it has 
  but not totally.
  As for Lucky, it's too soon to think about a new friend but maybe one day,
  when the time is right.  I would suggest you giving it a thought even
  though you may feel you'll never love again.