Man's Best Friend in Life and Death

LONDON, Jan. 27, 2010 — -- A loyal dog can be as cherished a companion as there is. A horse can live up to 30 years and bring its owner joy every day. Cats? Well, cat lovers will defend their beloved, fuzzy friends to their dying day.

And even then, many are determined not to let go of the leash.

In the U.K., an increasing number of pet owners are making plans to be buried alongside their furry-tailed companions.

Penny Lally runs the West Penwith Woodland Burial Place in Cornwall, England. She started her business as a natural cemetery for people in 2001 on her own farm's property. She maintains some plots for people alone, but others are open to people and their pets. The only thing that differentiates the grave sites from those of people are the headstones.

"A lot of people who wanted to be buried here also wanted to be buried with their pets," she says.

"British people love their pets. They live as part of the family," she said. "They give a massive amount of love back so why not?"

Once each plot is full a tree is planted atop each grave. Eventually, the plots grow into naturally wooded forests which are designated as Memorial Gardens.

Lally says she is receiving more and more requests to purchase these kinds of plots for people and their pets.

However she does think it is important to maintain separate areas for people who do not wish to rest in peace next to an animal they never knew. Some pet owners buy plots large enough to bury several pets over many years.

Her Web site states: "The death of a pet is a deeply distressing and a sometimes traumatic event for pet owners. At this time it is important that the body of that beloved animal is dealt with in a way which makes its passing as acceptable as possible, which is important for a treasured member of the family."