On 'taxidermy' and our Cats/Pets?

Dear group,

Just noticed ads for a TV series called "Canadian Stuffers" on TV. Taxidermists I think. Even Pets.

Well I find the idea bizarre. But perhaps someone else feels differently.

When Lizzy dies (in at least, I hope at least 5+ years) I will just wrap her in a towel and bury her in the back yard.

But some people seem to find having their 'pets' "preserved forever" pleasing.

Your thoughts?

Guido.
Just because I don't understand it...

ETA. lizzy is 'purring' like mad on my knee. Make that 7+ in my above observation!

I don't get it either. What's the point of hanging onto the corpse when the spirit inside is gone? I think it sounds creepy.

I don't get it either. My furbabies were cremated and I have their ashes in urns. That's creepy enough for me! LOL.

Ugh. I think a few photographs are sufficient and more "life-like". Ours are also cremated.

Yeah, give me photos and cremate the remains. Or bury them. Or cremate THEN bury, which is my choice.

Mind you, I'm not a fan of taxidermy except in museums. Horrid dust collectors!

I don't think anyone should have their pets preserved via taxidermy unless that person is comfortable with the notion of someone doing the same thing to them after they're dead.

Mine are buried, with rose bushes planted above. Definitely NOT taxidermy. I'm not keen on stuffed dead things except in museums.

>6 amysisson: :)

My husband frequently threatens to stuff our cat, put little wheels on her feet and a meow box that meows when she is pulled by her string! I think he is kidding...

Since my husband is a hunter and fisherman, we have several "trophies" hanging on the wall, right alongside my engagement portrait. They ARE terrible dust collectors! But, I have gotten used to their beady-eyed stares. Still, I don't want my pets stuffed. Mine are buried with a tree planted over them.

8> That reminds me of that book from the 80s - 101 Uses for a Dead Cat. My family used to joke about turning our cat into a pencil sharpener.

Because I knew that I was going to be moving house I had my babies cremated. I buried most of the ashes in the garden which they had owned and loved and brought the rest with me where, I am afraid, they languish in a cupboard, superseded by the two I have now - but still loved and remembered. I have their portraits hanging on the wall here. (see my photo gallery for their pictures).

Edited to add that the portraits are not there any more. I will reload them - but I haven't time this morning.

>6 amysisson:

I wouldn't mind being stuffed if someone wanted me. I've willed my skeleton to my college anthropology department.

I don't have any inclination to stuff my pets, though.

Hi pinko, The 2 portraits are still on the "cats,books..." group gallery!
Thus group, put up your pictures of your 'fur babies' on the group if you want them preserved for the life of LT.

Ah - maybe that is where I put them in the first place and not in my gallery. I'll put them in my gallery anyway.

Thanks, Guido ...

Actually, a lot of the more experienced taxidermists will refuse to do pets. Apparently a lot of those customers will get their pet mounted, cry, "Oh, it just isn't the same!" and blame the taxidermist. Sometimes lawsuits get involved. Which, to me, is a good argument against getting pets mounted.

Not that I'd consider it anyway. It's one thing to tan the hide or mount an animal you've killed for food or something. But, if I claim to love and treat my pets as if they were members of the family, I feel that should include things like respecting them in death the same way I would a family member.