Got a question for you guys

As many of you know Nemo my beloved Alaskan Malamute died on March 3. I have since gotten Dakota who is growing like a weed. Now for my question. Do you think it would be wrong of me to put Nemo's collar on Dakota? I have a feeling that Dakota will be as big as Nemo was at about 100lbs. Ken has suggested that I do that and I am a kind of upset about putting Nemo's collar on Dakota. The collar was Nemo's and Dakota isn't Nemo.

Am I just being silly? What do all of you think about that? Would it be like trying to fill Nemo's collar? Any input would be most helpful on this for me. Yeah I know this is really a small thing

Why don't you just get Dakota a new collar? Any time our shepherds pass away, we retire their collar in honor of them. Get a collar that fits Dakota both in style and personality.

You're not being silly at all. Its not a very expensive item, it's not wasteful to buy a new collar for Dakota. When I was helping my dad clear out some stuff in his house, we came across the collar and tags from my childhood pup, and it was lovely having that to remember her by.

So Ken is right, it wouldn't be "wrong" to use Nemo's collar. But you are justified in being a bit emotional about it,

Cathi I don't think it is a case of "right" or "wrong" in the end you have to decide yourself. I think it would be nice to keep the collar aside as Nemo's and buy your new baby (who is lovely btw) his own. If you put the collar on Dakota you would be thinking of Nemo everytime you saw it and would probably start calling him Nemo. I think I would be upset too and it would be lovely to keep Nemo in your heart separate and make a fresh start altogether with Dakota. Hope everything goes well for you.

I don't think you're silly. When Zen dies, I buried his collar with him. It was light blue and I'll never put a light blue collar on another cat again. (unless I actually run out of colors with I highly doubt) So I agree with the majority, Retire Nemos collar and get Dakota his own.

Cathi, I agree with what everyone else has said. I never re-use a collar from any of my cats that have died. Having that collar reminds you of your darling Nemo and it's important you keep hold of that. For one of my cats that was particularily special to me, I have placed his collar with it's tags in a sealed little plastic bag so it preserves his memory. I keep it in my drawer next to my bed so that I feel close to him. Maybe you could do something like that. Perhaps Ken didn't realise how important the collar is to you in remembering Nemo.

Choosing a new collar for your new pup/kitten is always fun and you and Dakota will have a great time doing this. You can choose just the right style and colours to fit him too.

When we had to put "Duke" down to illness I just left his collar on him . I was not able to remove it from him . I don't think I would have reused his collor on a other dog , I think that would have broke my heart . If you don't want to use it , eather toss it , burry it , or you can give it to a shelter nearby for a good use .

You're not being silly at all!

Perhaps you might want to find a pretty box to keep his collar and a photo in, so you can take it out and hold it when you miss him. I've done that with all of my Rainbow Bridge pets - it's nice to have a tangible reminder of your loved one, something you can hold.

If you want to reuse his collar there's certainly nothing wrong with that, but only do it if you're entirely comfortable with that - it might be fun to go find Dakota his own new collar.

I keep old collars, tags, and sometimes favorite toys in a special place, so I'd say buy a new collar. I remember one time when my parents "reused" a collar on a new dog, and it bothered me so much that I went out and bought the new dog a new collar.

While it's certainly not "wrong" to use the old collar on a new pet, it's only "right" if you are comfortable with it. The cats we have buried have their collars with them. Nibs was cremated and his collar is draped over the cookie jar (cat shaped) where we see it all the time. I don't think I could hand-me-down the one article that carries the identity of the pet. Dishes and toys get handed down, but not collars. Only do it if it feels right to you, and don't feel silly about it. You're entitled to this emotion.

Originally Posted by tuxedokitties

You're not being silly at all!

Perhaps you might want to find a pretty box to keep his collar and a photo in, so you can take it out and hold it when you miss him. I've done that with all of my Rainbow Bridge pets - it's nice to have a tangible reminder of your loved one, something you can hold.

If you want to reuse his collar there's certainly nothing wrong with that, but only do it if you're entirely comfortable with that - it might be fun to go find Dakota his own new collar.

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I really like that idea and that is what I am going to do. Ken will just have to understand that it makes me sad to think of Dakota wearing my boy Nemo's collar. I don't know why he wants me to use his collar on Dakota. It isn't that the collars are very expensive. Thank you all for your input and Dakota and I are going shopping tomorrow for a new collar that will be all his

Originally Posted by blondiecat

I really like that idea and that is what I am going to do. Ken will just have to understand that it makes me sad to think of Dakota wearing my boy Nemo's collar. I don't know why he wants me to use his collar on Dakota. It isn't that the collars are very expensive. Thank you all for your input and Dakota and I are going shopping tomorrow for a new collar that will be all his

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Blondicat...I agree, you do what YOU feels right in your heart. One more Idea, you could get the collar bronzed...like they do with baby shoes. Now I may be dating myself with that suggestion, I'm not even sure they do that anymore! Good Luck!

Originally Posted by blondiecat

I really like that idea and that is what I am going to do. Ken will just have to understand that it makes me sad to think of Dakota wearing my boy Nemo's collar. I don't know why he wants me to use his collar on Dakota. It isn't that the collars are very expensive. Thank you all for your input and Dakota and I are going shopping tomorrow for a new collar that will be all his

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I agree with getting Dakota his own collar, just as Nemo had his.

Have fun shopping and please have Dakota model his new collar for us

i agree with hissy get a new collar and remember the past

I have always retired the collar when I've lost a dog. I keep a special drawer with their collars and favorite toys. The collars smell like them and its an instant memory jolt when I pull them out and look/smell them. Get Dakota a new collar!

Glad you liked the idea!
Dakota will be gorgeous in his new collar, and you'll have a sweet keepsake.

It's really up to. IMO I wouldn't mind using the same collar on another animal... but that's just me, and I would never get confused between two pets. Good luck Cathi.

On the other hand of this discussion...You could use Nemo's collar and pass it on through generations of dogs as they pass over the Rainbow Bridge.

In my family, my grandmother's wedding ring was given to me when she passed away and I plan to pass it on when I die.

You could think of the collar as a beloved sentimental object that Dakota will be wearing it in Nemo's honor.

I never even thought of it that way Coco Maui... what an interesting view...

It's totally up to you.

Originally Posted by Coco Maui

On the other hand of this discussion...You could use Nemo's collar and pass it on through generations of dogs as they pass over the Rainbow Bridge.

In my family, my grandmother's wedding ring was given to me when she passed away and I plan to pass it on when I die.

You could think of the collar as a beloved sentimental object that Dakota will be wearing it in Nemo's honor.

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Exactly what I was thinking, maybe this was what Ken had in mind....
But I don't think your being silly at all for not wanting to use it on Dakota. Sit down and have a talk with Ken and let him know how you feel about it. I am sure he will understand.