At the end of a dog’s life

We got KoKo back in 1994.

She came to us when she was an older puppy. The guy who brought her into our home wanted to put her in the pound. We said no, so she became our dog.

She was there through some rough times in our lives, and loved to lay at the foot of our bed during the night. Last month she was rapidly going downhill. She could not get up from her the floor, or if she tried to, she would fall back down. A friend and I gave her our blessings. I told her it was OK for her to "cross over."

The friend then took our other puppy out for his regular walk while I kept a short vigil on KoKo, and then went back to bed. I heard her bark a small bark two times, and then, she was gone. My husband had been asking me, "What are we going to do with her body when she dies?" I answered him that I honestly did not know at that point in time.

I knew that I did not want to put her body in a dumpster. Another friend of mine looked up "crematory services" and found one near Asheville that would pick up KoKo's body, and return her ashes to us. The lady at Asheville Pet Crematory said she had lost one of her dogs in May, and was very understanding.

She did not push us on what type of service we wanted. While no one wants to have to choose how to deal with their pet's death, this service provides the dignity, respect and comfort during the season of loss when it's so desperately needed.

Thanks, Asheville Pet Crematory, for being there with us, and for the understanding of the essence of KoKo's being. In her lifetime, she had become more than just a dog. She had earned her rightful place as our family member and dear friend.

— Marci McGowan
Asheville