An American social media influencer has responded to critics after disclosing she had her late dog freeze-dried and placed on display in her residence, a choice that has ignited a heated online discussion.
Unconventional Memorial Sparks Fierce Debate
Chloe Chung, who operates under the username Mistricks, shared this unusual tribute with her 140,000 followers in a recent Instagram reel, illustrating her personal approach to mourning the loss of her cherished pet, also named Mistricks.
Rather than opting for traditional cremation, Chung selected freeze-drying, a technique that extracts moisture from the body using a vacuum chamber over a span of three to twelve months.
Preserving the Physical Form
This method maintains the animal's physical structure, enabling the dog to be housed in a glass display case. In the viral video, the dog is visible sitting inside a transparent box as Chung enters the frame.
Text overlaying the video asks, "What did you do with your dog after she passed away?" to which she replies, "Brought her home...duh."
Viewers observe Chung climbing a small ladder while wearing a black and white mini dress and black high heels, lifting the preserved dog from the glass chamber and holding her while dancing.
Swift and Brutal Backlash
The influencer captioned the post, "The long-awaited answer to the question that's always in my DMs," but the reaction was immediate and harsh.
One commenter exclaimed, "IS NOONE ELSE FINDING THIS S**** CREEPY?????" while another stated, "I don't think I could do this to my dogs. They deserve dignity once they have passed."
A third added, "They aren't an accessory to prance around with," and a fourth remarked, "There ain't no way everyone is cool with this....no way."
Defending the Decision
A subsequent clip posted by the influencer shows the dog resting on her lap as she pats it, with the dog appearing to have a pink bow on its head.
Chung captioned this video, "I mean sure maybe it isn't stereotypically 'normal' to freeze dry your soul dog? But normal is boring and not what I've ever aspired to be."
While criticism poured in, some followers supported the influencer, arguing that grief manifests differently for each individual. One commenter wrote, "You do you! Don't worry what others think!"
Addressing the Controversy
Chung later discussed the controversy in a statement to People Magazine, acknowledging that the decision was made during an emotionally overwhelming period.
She described it as "stressful" trying to determine what to do after her dog died, noting she typically chooses cremation but this instance felt distinct.
"I really struggled with the thought that I would never see her beautiful face again after she passed," Chung explained.
Emotional Reunion and Comfort
She revealed she was already at the crematorium with Mistricks when she altered her mind. Chung expressed, "Grief and sadness are always present since Mistricks passed away and especially when I think about how short my journey with Mistricks was cut."
"But in the moment of being reunited with her physical body, I primarily felt comfort that she will be safe at home with me from now on," she concluded, highlighting the personal solace she derives from this unconventional memorial.
