Monday, July 29, 2013

The King of Kong

When I picked up Makai's ashes after he passed away in May, they were in a tasteful, cherry wood box. I was glad they weren't in an urn. There's something about traditional urns that have always felt sad to me, a little old-fashioned and depressing-looking. As nice as the box was, though, there was something about it that still just didn't feel like our Shmoopie Pie.

I looked around for something else online that fit him and us better, but there wasn't anything out there that felt... right. I decided not to worry about it for a while, I'd find something eventually.

One day I was going through Makai's toys, trying to figure out which ones I wanted to keep, and which ones were still in good enough shape to donate. When I got to his very favorite toy, his giant weeble-wobble Kong, I said to J, “Man, I wish someone on Etsy could make us a ceramic version of this, it would make a cute little urn.” J said, “Oh that would be perfect! He loved that damn thing!”





I opened it up to take out the old treats that were still in it, and it dawned on me... I didn't need a ceramic version of this. I needed THIS.



It's the right size, and actually pretty cute with its beehive shape and years of Shmoops love.





So I gave it a good scrubbing, primed it, and spray painted it a glossy white.





Just like that, we have our own faux ceramic Kong urn that fits beautifully on our mantle and makes us smile. It's perfect.

11 comments:

H Ski said...

I love this idea!! I need to remember this when this sad day comes for us. Hugs to you.

Two Pitties in the City said...

I missed the first post and so sorry to hear this. You could tell how sweet he was just through the Internet. But what a clever and perfect way to remember him.

Emily @ Our Waldo Bungie said...

I think this is the PERFECT "urn" for Makai! Seriously... lurve! I miss his wrinkly face filling up my reader!

EmilyS said...

awwwwwww.. so sorry for your loss.
This is a wonderful idea.. Seriously, send it to KONG. I think they would be very touched.

Annie & Pauls Mom said...

Our deepest condolences on your loss. But I realy like this idea! I just have one small question, what did you do with the hole that's in the kong?

Vicki said...

That's a great question, Annie! I cut a piece of black plastic off the corner of an old binder, and glued it to the inside with epoxy. Closest thing to an airtight seal I could think of. There are also a series of bags and a nice pouch keeping everything secure inside.

Vicki said...

Thanks for the sweet words everyone. :)

Emily @ Our Waldo Bungie said...

I shared your "urn" over on my blog FB page and everyone loved it! Seriously, such a wonderful way to keep Makai close!

Vicki said...

Aw, that's so sweet! Thank you for sharing it Emily. :) Hopefully it will help someone else find a little happiness in something so ordinarily gloomy.

Unknown said...

Goddamn it Vicki!! TEARS!!!! Don't you know I visit your blog every couple of months to make note of a crafty idea or just to get a smile from reading your posts. Well damnit, last time I visited here was May. I sat quietly in my cubicle wiping away tears as I read your post that Schmoopie passed. So today I thought it might be safe to revisit the blog. Nope. Where is the fucking kleenex in the place?!?! Can the state not afford any kleenex?!? Waaahhh!! Hugs to you, friend. Very cute idea. Love, Val

Vicki said...

Awwww! Val you're the sweetest. I didn't mean to make you cry! The crafty posts will return! I'll also be starting a letter writing campaign to The Department of General Tissue Services about getting their Kleenex P.O.'s in on time next month. :)