I had to have my dog put to sleep on Friday and would like to have him freeze dried. I was planning on going to Mac's Taxidermy in PA but other than some news articles about Mike McCullough's work, I have not found any comments about his work from anyone in the taxidermy industry. I have seen some very good comments about Joe "Kastaway" Kulis but he is about 6.5 hours from my home in NJ (I would prefer to drive than to ship my dog Fed-Ex). Is there anyone who has had a good (or bad) experience with Mike McCullough's work; or is there anyone else who does freeze drying in the NJ/NY/PA area that you could recommend? I just want the best for my dog. Thank you.
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To find someone with the skill to carcass cast opr carve a form for the dog and then tan and conventionally mount it. Freeze drying in my own personal opinion on a animal that size is a bug banquet waiting to happoen. Spend the money and get it done right
They have a website and are very helpful. I would have to disagree with Wetwild about the conventional mounting of the dog. Even if you find some one to mount it it is highly doubtful it will resemble the dog you once knew. We are not miracle workers. Sure we can probably mount a dog for someone but can we make it look like your dog to you? A pet is something that was yours and only you could know its mannerisms and special looks. That is hard to recreate. We could make your dog look like a dog but it might not look like the dog you remember. It would also be very expensive to do a skin mount. Due to the custom making of the body. I would recommend the freeze drying for a pet. Just one mans opinion.
Todd B
I would say quit being a wierdo, bury your dog and move on.
Have a nice painting done of him If you really do care for him bury the poor thing most people get sick of looking at there pet mounted and bury it after afew years anyway save some money and do the right thing trust me
Scott wants his dog freeze-dried, so if you can't help, then DON'T RESPOND! How dare you be so inconsiderate to someone who has just lost his pet. You think it's ok for a hunter to bag some nameless animal and have you mount it, but it's not ok for someone to want to hold on to his precious pet? Roy Rogers had his pet mounted, the last passenger pigeon was mounted, so what is so wrong with Scott having his dog preserved? That is what He Wants, and all of you critics need to go back where you came from! Be Nice for God's sake!
... I appreciate your understanding.
I had my black lab for 15 years, great dog. Did I stuff it? No, because that is plain wierd and disrespectful. Do you really think his dog wants to be stuffed and stuck in the corner of his living room? My dog was cremated and the ashes sprinkled in her old stomping grounds. That is respect. And you cannot compare a domestic animal to a wild animal whose horns are better preserved and mounted lifelike for people to admire, than to be nailed to some shed only to fall apart after a few years. Take a photo and have a painting done of it. I have a few pics of me and my dog in a frame, that is easy. I won't even touch a pet.
Scott: I tried to get you to call me but you did not.If you get your dog freeze dried,over a period of time it WILL fall apart.Not only that ,but freeze drying will reproduce nothing but a dead looking animal,since all the muscles are relacked." Taxidermy " is a manikin,which is a live animal with the skin off. That is not taxidermy.We do pets at time ,but it is veryexpencive and your pet looks alive,and the skin is "properly tanned "
Freeze drying , the skin is NOT TANNED.
So if you still would like to have your pet properly preserved ,let me know.
just keep your name with a capital letter so people don't get us confused.
scott,
i ask customers to wait about 30 days and then decide.i do not think right now is the time. it will be very costly demending on the size of your dog!
i have several pets myself and had to put one down.I had him cremated and took him to one of the places he liked to run and play.
GOOD LUCK
Thank you for your comments and suggestions. I've made my decision and will not be checking for replies anymore.
awwwww heck you guys and gals!
i want my wife to freeze dry me when i kick the can,and put me in the corner.nothing is wrog with getting your pet mounted.you shoot a deer
eat everything but the head and have that mounted,you don't see anyone eating there pets and then mounting the head do you.why is it when a person gets creameted do they put some stupid ashes on the shelf to look at.