It’s likely that you’ve lost a pet during your lifetime, and it can be a heartbreaking experience. Pets that pass away leave a hole in your soul and there is a mourning process that one must go through afterward. Having keepsakes and ways to memorialize your furry friend can ease the process and keep their memory alive.
1. Commemorate Your Pet With Others
When you’re coping with a pet’s death, it can be beneficial to get support from friends, family, and the community. One way to memorialize your pet is to share memories and say a last farewell in the company of others who loved the pet or are pet owners themselves. If you had your animal cremated, all or part of their ashes can be spread during a memorial service. You can also hold a service next to where you buried your cat or dog and even buy a headstone to note the spot.
It’s possible to let your pet’s light shine through and share with others a slideshow, video, or photo album of their cute and fun moments. You can prepare a eulogy, share stories, and include some of their favorite activities. Some owners also opt to serve human food their pet loved, such as tuna, bacon, or popcorn. Consider handing out temporary tattoos with your pet’s image, or ask for donations to your favorite animal shelter to honor them.
2. Preserve Your Pet’s Paw Print or Image
While you may not have the opportunity to get a paw print if your pet passes away suddenly, thinking ahead can ensure you capture this memorializing moment. You can buy modeling clay, or use a homemade recipe with dough and salt. Add this to your keepsake box dedicated to your pet, or create an ornament to hang using it.
Another way to keep your pet’s memory with you all the time is to create jewelry, such as earrings, pendants, or a bracelet with their image. This may need to be custom-made by a jewelry professional. You can also use one of their photos and have it blown up at a print shop to frame and hang on the wall.
Other ideas include having a sketch made or a painting that also may need to be created by a pro unless you have artistic skills. It’s also possible to order rugs, mugs, pillows, and other goods with your pet’s image to show off around the home.
3- Plant a Tree or Create a Special Garden
You can plant a special tree on your own or plan to do it at the animal’s memorial service. Honor your pet by allowing them to live on in a unique way by establishing a garden in their honor. Others like to create a garden in a section of their yard, and you can include a seating bench and maybe even a statue of the patron saint of animals, St. Francis of Assisi. You can have a paw print stepping stone to include in this area where you can reminisce about your dog or cat. Think about purchasing a headstone with your pet’s name, date of death, and birth (if you know the latter).