Rover can stay forever frozen in time

Saying goodbye to a furry best friend has become more difficult than ever for most pet owners, especially in this hi-tech world, where daily walks with our pets help keep us grounded in our community and provide us with unlimited tail-wagging unconditional love.

Rover or Kitty was an active part of the family for one or two decades, popping up hilariously in many family photos. Flipping through the photo album, those great memories are enough to bring a tear to your eye.

Losing your first pet
Losing your first pet as an adult is the hardest. As a child, we’re not as conscious of the aging process in the people and pets around us. Essentially, our pets and parents are there for our childhood – barring any accidents or illnesses – throughout our formative years. It’s not until you’re older and initially think, as in childhood, your pet will live forever.

Unfortunately, you come to the rude awakening that your pet dog will only live 10 to 15 years on average, and a pet cat might live up to age 20. You will most likely have two or three pets over the course of your lifetime and have to say a painful goodbye to each one. What if you could get them back in statue form?

A lifelike fur statue
For an increasing number of pet lovers who have trouble letting go, there is a trend toward freeze-drying the beloved family pet and displaying it in the home.

According to Anthony Eddy’s Wildlife Studio, “Freeze-drying is revolutionary technology that has become an economically feasible alternative for preserving pets. This highly specialized field of taxidermy makes use of large freeze-dry machines that remove the moisture from the specimen while it remains frozen….

“Unlike regular taxidermy, this process allows a pet’s natural body and bone structure to remain intact. The result is the individual characteristics, body, and facial features are barely disturbed.” Techniques like silicone injections, wire rods to hold a pose, special cosmetic grooming, and glass eyes create such lifelike specimens, as evidenced by the photos, you would think they were just taking a nap.

The costs vary depending on the animal’s weight, up to $4,000 according the Daily Mail. Anthony Eddy, 63, owner of the U.S. pet preservation service, said, “It is a very emotional thing for pet owners, they don’t want to bury or cremate their beloved animal, and they want them to still be around.”

Loving tribute or creepy reminder? 
Eddy mentioned that the majority of his customers are older and have had their pets for a long time. “I do accept that some people will find it weird, but it is growing in acceptance and what we do is a fine art.”

While many pet owners are comforted with a stuffed version of their pet, many of us would rather not face a daily reminder of our loss, preferring to allow time to heal our pain and perhaps eventually bringing a new pet into our lives. What do you think: would you want a stuffed version of your pet in your home?

Credit photo: posterize / FreeDigitalPhotos.net