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eb_bartels OP t1_iunkvoz wrote

Reply to comment by alpevado in I spent ten years researching and writing a book about all the different things people do when their pets die. AMA! by eb_bartels

In terms of things evolving over time, I noticed that in even just the past five years people seem much more open about talking about their feelings about their pets dying and sharing their emotions. I think social media has helped with that a lot -- it's pretty common now for people to be open about posting about being sad about their pet dying and using Twitter/Insta/FB/etc. as a way to connect with other pet people who understand that loss or people who also knew and loved their pet. I also think similarly as we become more open talking about our feelings about pets dying we then also normalize having traditions/rituals around those pets' deaths. A lot more people now I think are down to have a memorial service or viewing hours for their pet, when I feel like even 10-15 years ago people may have WANTED to do that but felt weird about it.

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alpevado t1_iunpjl7 wrote

Thanks for the replies. Just noticed the blue staffy in your pic. Can you tell us all about them? 😍

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eb_bartels OP t1_iunr4g3 wrote

Of course! That's Seymour! He is approximately three years old, a rescue from Florida via the Animal Rescue League of Boston. He is named after Seymour in Futurama (episode "Jurassic Bark"). My dad gave us a DNA kit for Christmas 2020 and it seems Seymour is mostly blue nose AmStaff, a couple other types of pit bull, chihuahua, and then a bunch of other terriers: Schnauzer, Rat Terrier, Jack Russell, etc. He is very sweet and loves people and like 80% of other dogs.

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alpevado t1_iuqzbc8 wrote

This popped up today and reminded me of your AMA, have you seen it?

https://www.unilad.com/community/golden-retriever-dog-pet-taxidermy-rug-20221102

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eb_bartels OP t1_iur4kxu wrote

Oh, wow, that's great. I don't think I interviewed anyone who had their pet turned into a rug! Though my friend's grandparents did have their dog's fur preserved/tanned but they turned it into a wall-hanging as opposed to a rug. Thanks for sharing!

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