Rosario Monachino
A family in Australia has turned their beloved pet golden retriever into a taxidermy keepsake following its death.
The pain of losing a pet is always one of the worst things you can go through and to get through the difficult time, many owners preserve their pet’s memories with keepsakes.
However, one family decided to take it one step further and get their dog preserved as a pelt.
People find out about the unusual request when Melbourne-based taxidermy company Chimera Taxidermy took to social media and documented the work.
On the company’s Instagram post, it says: “Beautiful old golden retriever preserved as a pelt for his family. Finally ready to head home.”
See this taxidermist artist’s ‘Freaks of Nature’ collection below…
In the comments, it adds: “The pelt has been tanned and turned to leather so the fur won’t fall out.”
Maddy, the owner of Chimera Taxidermy, told Yahoo Australia that she completely understands why ‘it’s not for everyone’ and ‘respects their decision’.
She said: “Pet taxidermy has only really become more popular in the last five years or so, so it’s a very new thing to see for most people.
“Some are more of a sentimental keepsake, others are on display resting in their beds however their owners wanted them preserved.
“Most of the requests I get are for full taxidermy mounts.
“Pelt preservation is less commonly asked for, but I still do quite a few pelts.”
Related Article: Medical Expert Explains Why You Should Never Kiss Your Dog On Its Mouth
Even though animal pelts can be used as rugs, the creator of the ornamental pelt suggested that it should be ‘stored on a shelf along with the pets ashes, collar, photos etc so they don’t require cleaning’.
In the comment section of the Instagram post, the reception has been mixed.
One person added: “It’s beautiful. But I couldn’t deal with the pain of the dog I lost not being with us anymore. I lost my dog earlier this year, and I couldn’t imagine seeing her every day like this.”
Another person shared: “I’m sorry for your loss, I can imagine how the loss may feel. I wouldn’t be able to move on by doing this to my beloved. It’s not for everyone definitely.”
@chimerataxidermy/Instagram
“Super cute, never seen pets preserved as pelts before,” commented a third.
One user said: “Saw this on Facebook and the flood of backlash and had to come here and tell you how cool I think this is.
“People grieve differently and preserve their pets differently. I love it.”
A fifth person commented: “I don’t know if I would be able to handle seeing this after my goldi dies. Beautiful but not for everyone.”
Related Article: John Wick Dog Breed Could Be ‘Banned In The UK’
After the taxidermy went viral, Maddy once again took to social media and defended the family’s decision to have their golden retriever preserved as a pelt.
She penned: “I create alternative pet memorials for those that want to keep a physical reminder of their pet. Some people choose only part of the pelt, some people choose the entire pelt. Some people prefer to keep their pets’ skull and cremate the rest.
“Some people want to preserve their pet sleeping forever as taxidermy. The pets I preserve are not ‘floor rugs’.
“They are stored alongside ashes, photos, artwork, collars and whatever other mementoes the owner has kept. It’s the same concept as storing an urn on the shelf.”
Watch our Video of the Day below…
Do you have a story for us? If so, email us at [email protected]. All contact will be treated in confidence.
