A Box for Rags – Finished!

Rags' Box on My Mantel
Rags’ Box on My Mantel

I was talking to a friend a few days ago and telling her about my Silversmithing classes and how I had created this box for Rags’ ashes – as we were getting off the phone, she said she wanted to see photos of it, so I just went to Floppycats.com and linked to the posts I did.  In the process of doing that, I realized that I never posted a final photo!

So for all of you who have been waiting at your computers to see the final product – here it is!

Rags Box
Rags’ Box

I decided to do a sanded finish on the box and then keep his paw as shiny as it was when it came out of the tumbler.

I’m very pleased with how it turned out and love having it on my mantel – so that his ashes finally have a great place to rest.  And his ashes finally have found something to be put in that is as classy and handsome as Rags was!

Of course, those of you with a metalsmithing background might see the flaws like I do, but as I get older I have been trying not to punish myself for the lack of perfection I have in things.

I’ll leave you with a bird’s eye view of the box:

Thanks for sharing this journey with me.

Rags' Box Bird's Eye
Rags’ Box Bird’s Eye
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Hi, I’m Jenny Dean, creator of Floppycats! Ever since my Aunt got the first Ragdoll cat in our family, I have loved the breed. Inspired by my childhood Ragdoll cat, Rags, I created Floppycats to connect, share and inspire other Ragdoll cat lovers around the world,

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16 Comments

  1. This is the sweetest, most heart touching, beautiful story I have read in years. Only people that have had their hearts stolen by the unconditional love of a cat can understand this type of love. I had that special cat throughout high school and never thought I would find it again. But I did with my Amos. I know when I get to heaven Mr Harris will be there to greet me.

    Thank you for sharing your story of Rags. Made me think of my lost loves and cherish the one have now more preciously.

    1. Mary, what a sweet note – thanks. I am glad you have had Amos and have others. There’s nothing better than the amazing feeling you get from unconditional love.

  2. Hi Jenny,
    Your box for Rags is gorgeous. You are so very talented. Really understand and empathize with you about your “special” one. Mine was my Angel. She went through so much just to stay with me but like you, had to let her go the best way possible to ease her suffering. Know that she and Rags are over the Rainbow Bridge playing as hard as they can and waiting to see us some day. Won’t that be a wonderful day! Have my Angel’s ashes in a special urn that is a bronze girl holding her little kitten. My instructions are to put her ashes with mine. Have planned that when I ever find the right cat outline, will have it tattooed on me somewhere (only known to me), with her ashes in the tattoo ink. So far, have several in mind, but since it is permanent, haven’t chosen the “one”.
    Hope that your heart is not burdened today because he is safe, happy and you will see him again one day…. All the best, Teresa

    1. WOW!! “Have planned that when I ever find the right cat outline, will have it tattooed on me somewhere (only known to me), with her ashes in the tattoo ink. So far, have several in mind, but since it is permanent, haven’t chosen the “one”.” – I hope you will share this when you do it!

      My heart is not burdened today – but it does miss him! Thank you for your support!

  3. BIG HUGS & LOVE to you, Jenny! Rags’ box is beautiful! I love the idea of his ashes and your ashes eventually being mixed together and set free somewhere special. Very touching.

    RIP, Beautiful Rags!

    Love & Hugs!

    Patti <3

      1. We sure do. My sweet hubby and I have these same plans for us to be cremated and our ashes to be combined with our past beloved furry family members who have been cremated: Megan, our gorgeous yellow lab girl who passed 5 years ago; Sparky, our feisty mini-Eski boy who passed 8 years ago; Sora, our wonderful Blue Leopard Desert Lynx girl who passed 3.5 months ago; and.eventually, our beautiful Pink Sugar Blue Lynx Bi-Color Ragdoll girl we got 2 months ago — who we hope will live as long as your wonderful Rags did.

        Our son has specific instructions on taking half of all our deceased pets’ ashes and mixing with ours as we pass on to the other world and to set us free in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Of course, these plans are (hopefully) a long way off. But they are outlined in our wills. 🙂

        Love & Hugs!

        Patti 🙂 <3

  4. Simply stunning. Thanks for sharing.

    1. thanks, brita. i am pleased with how it turned out.

  5. Sue Rogers says:

    The finished box is absolutely beautiful Jenny and what a wonderful tribute to Rags. Bless you both.

  6. It looks really special! I love Rag’s picture, the pose is great and I do not know why but it just makes you feel something!

    1. It does make you feel something. Makes me miss him, but Elaina (photographer) captured him just as he was – a stunning beauty. I miss him so!

      1. It is hard to lose your faithful companion. In my opinion, cats are the perfect portrayal of unconditional love <3 That, I think, is the simplistic beauty of animals.

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