This is just the first of a few blogs I’m planning about reusing the stuff that belonged to another pet. Valorie had asked me about preparing a tank to house a new type of aquarium pet, and I’ll get to that shortly — promise! (That conversation is also what led to the hysterical story of the Turtles in The Hood.) But the question got me thinking about reusing a pet’s stuff.
I was devastated when my dog Miko passed away in September, 2003. I gave away what was left of his food and treats that same day — I couldn’t bear to look at it. I boxed up his toys, not sure what to do with them. I put his bowls away where I couldn’t see them.
Three days later, I brought my Lally home from the Rutland County Humane Society. I pulled out Miko’s bowls for her food and water. I offered her some of his toys to play with — until she became a ball addict. I reused Miko’s leash, but not his collar. I took his tags and turned them into charms for the zipper on my purse.
For me, reusing some of Miko’s stuff was practical. I had the bowls, why not use them? (We still have and use them, almost four years later.) The toys, once cleaned, were in pretty good shape — Miko wasn’t a shredder. The choice to not use his collar was more sentimental. My new dog (and later dogs) should have their own collars. I still have Miko’s red collar. To me, a collar is significant; to another person, it may just be a piece of pet gear to be washed and reused.
A lot of your decision whether or not to reuse a pet’s belongings will be entirely personal. You may choose to save a favorite toy for a memorial. You may want to see all of the pet’s toys get used. You may want to donate extra food and treats to a shelter in memory of your pet. You may want your new pet to have all new toys and bedding. Whatever your decision is, make it one that you are comfortable with — both emotionally and financially.