b"We humans are the only species believed to know that weLet Nature Be are dying, and to fear it above almost all other things. Andin the same way that we imagine our pets experiencingYour Guide. loneliness, guilt, or any of the other complex emotionsunique to human beings, we expect that the animals welove are aware of death and fear it. ~Jon Katz from his book,by Anna Cooke Going Home. Finding Peace When Pets Die.Joyce Moreau remembers taking care of cats, birds, chameleons, funeral home and cemetery industries was the love and bonda lizard, a rabbit, a duck and a horse at a very young age. By the people had for their pets. It was something we could all relatetime she was eight years old, she was already intrigued with sci- to. Clients who talked about their pets seemed to de-stress whileence and research. As a little girl, I remember wanting to find we were in the process of making funeral arrangements for aa cure for cancer. I had dreams of becoming a brain surgeon. I relative, said Joyce.just knew I wanted to help others, said Joyce. Sheeventuallybroughtherknowledgeandcompassionfrom her years of experience in the funeral home industry, tofamilies of pets. As with the human side of the funeral industry,people are loathe to talk about the death of their beloved dogor cat before it occurs, such as with pre-planning. In fact, whenthe subject comes up, Joyce watches as folks literally turn a deafear and a blind eye to the subject. They will plug their ears,close their eyes and say, la la la, I dont want to hear anythingabout this until Im faced with it. But therein lies the problem,said Joyce. When faced with the impending death of a family pet,humans are under much duress. It is difficult to make a sounddecisionsuch as what to do with the remains and peo-ple oftentimes overlook available options. A little research andsome pre-planning will help prevent making an emotional mis-take. A more sound decision could be beneficial for the healthand well-being of you and the rest of your family in the longrun. And pre-planning may help with the grieving process afterthe pet has died.After your dog has died, what do you want done with thebody? What will you do with the remains? Do you want to buryyour pet? Do you understand the difference between cremationJoyce Moreau with her rescue dog, Jacques, and aquamation? Do you know there are options available, andand Natures Pet Loss client, Alissa Dequevedo. people who will assist you?Before she was 16, she began working as a nurse's assistant, Aquamation is a more eco-friendly, gentle process than thetaking care of people in various stages of debilitating health. She flame-based cremation process. The process does not involveoften found herself comforting family members after a loved using fire, acid or boiling. Through aquamation, twenty percentone died. Seeing the grief people suffered made her realize that more of the dog's remains are retrieved with an even cleanerone day, her lifes work would involve helping others during this look than from a flame-based process. Furthermore, it is a safer,particularly difficult period in their lives. more sterilized process, ensuring no RNA or DNA has beenHer studies took her through the Funeral Directorship pro- left behind. This part of the process is very important for con-gram at St. Petersburg College. While attending William Rainey trolling the spread of contagious germs and bacteria. FlamesHarper College in Palatine, Illinois Joyce also earned Associate co-mingle the remains since the process does not involve anyDegreesinAppliedScience,InteriorDesign,andArtsand kind of sterilization, said Joyce. Sciences.Shealsostudiedcomputersandtechnologyat She thoroughly researched all of the processes and foundColumbiaCollege,earningamedicaldegreeinSurgery aquamation to be the best product to offer her clients.Technology. With this unique system, we are able to guarantee thatStill, with all of this education and experience, one thing youarereceivingonlyyourpetsremains;nooneelses.was certain to Joyce. The love of family is so important. And, Theflame-basedcremationprocesscannotmakethatsamewhat had a profound effect on me while I was working in the guarantee, said Joyce. 60THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com"