Actually, I remembered a lovely song from jane Siberry's first album about taking a walk with a dog named wolf in the snow at night. It's upbeat and fun. I'll have to dig it out and give it a listen.

Guest, somehow I don't think the kids would get the joke about My Dead Dog Rover since they really loved the dog and are genuinely upset by his death. Given that they grew up with him and that they visted him most every day, this loss is signifcant to them. I'd not be having a service at all had the kids not asked for one, so my request is perhaps a tad more sincere than your reply.

One of the girls, now age 11, is an only child and she used to come over and tell him about her day at school and confide in him about her problems when she was younger. She used to give him a daily brushing and once-over with the shedding comb and tell him all her troubles. I read an article not long ago that said lonely children often confide in pets as if they were people and that it is a healthy outlet for them. Luckily this girl now has a small dog of her own but still, she's very sad.

I've never held a dog memorial service and I really could use the advice. I'd like to choose a song that the kids can sing as well. As I said before, doesn't have to be a song about a dog - just appropriate to sing at the closing of an informal service for a dog and a scattering of ashes. One of the children used to sing "Your are my Sunshine" to the dog ut she just kept singing the chorus over and over, not being familiar with the entire song. (which is quite a downer) Maybe we'll do that and compose a special verse or two about him.