For devoted pet parents, the death of a pet is devastating, and we grieve the loss of our furry family member in much the same way that we would mourn for a human. And why shouldn’t we? Our pets are an important part of our lives. They share our joys and comfort us when we’re sad, and when we lose them they leave a void that’s impossible to fill.
Grieving for a pet is natural and even healthy. Although the initial intensity subsides, for some it may take months, or even years, to move through the grieving process. Finding meaningful ways to remember and honor our pet is an important step in beginning to heal.
Ways to Honor a Pet on World Pet Memorial Day
This year World Pet Memorial Day is on June10. This is a special time to celebrate and remember the pets who have touched our lives. Here are a few ideas for creating the perfect pet memorial.
Make a Donation
If you’d like to memorialize your pet and help The Puppy Up Foundation continue their research and educational outreach, please follow this link.
Making a donation is a great way to honor the life of a special pet. For anyone who has trouble making a monetary donation but still wants to give, volunteering is another way to help out. You can volunteer with The Puppy Up Foundation or your local shelter or animal welfare group.
Plant a Pet Memorial Garden
If you’d rather express your creativity outdoors, a memorial garden is a wonderful way to ensure you always remember your pet. Memorial gardens can be as big or small as you want. You can plant flowers, plants, or trees in your own yard, or purchase space to plant a tree in honor of your pet in a local park. Every time you see these plants or trees, you’ll be reminded of the happy times you shared with your pet.
Even planting a tree, a shrub, or flowers in a pet’s memory can be comforting. For those of us who are looking for a little more, companies like BioUrn and Pet Perennials incorporate a portion of a pet’s cremated remains in with the product to be planted.
Write a Letter or Journal
Writing can be so therapeutic. Writing a letter to a pet we’ve lost or creating a journal of all of the things we loved about the pet and the special memories we shared can be a permanent reminder of the happiness our pet brought to our lives.
Create a Pet Photo Album
One great way to remember your pet is with an album full of photos of the good times you shared. From the time they were a kitten or a puppy till the day they passed on, you probably have many photos to reminisce with.
- You can use physical photos and customize each page of the album, or make a digital album to look at.
- There are many good, easy-to-use digital photo frames available nowadays. You could upload your pet pictures to one of these frames and display it somewhere in your home as a constant reminder of all the loving moments you experienced with your pet.
- Another option is to upload your pictures to an album on your social media account. That way friends and family can remember your pet as well and comment with any special memories they may have.
Create a Memorial On Social Media
A post on Facebook, Instagram, or another social media channel not only creates a digital memorial, but it also gives friends the chance to offer sympathy and support.
Even planting a tree, a shrub, or flowers in a pet’s memory can be so comforting. For those of us who are looking for a little more, companies like BioUrn and Pet Perennials incorporate a portion of a pet’s cremated remains in with the product to be planted.
Wear A Special Piece of Jewelry
Whether it’s a locket containing a photo or a tuft of fur, or a bracelet with our pet’s name engraved on it, a wearable memorial can give us the comfort of having a piece of our pet with us wherever we go.
An option that is similar to jewelry is “Rainbow Heartstrings,” a company that places a pet’s tag at the bottom of a customized strand of beads. The strand can be hung in a place that will help us remember and smile.
Display a Picture
Putting up a favorite picture that captures what we loved so much about our pet can be a comforting reminder. Or, for those of us who feel like displaying our pet in a more artsy style, Leonardo’s Dogs creates custom tributes, incorporating a pet’s photo into a work of art done in the style of Leonardo Da Vinci.
For anyone who could use a little extra guidance in coping with the loss of a pet, the book, “Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet” by Gary Kowalski offers some beautiful and comforting advice.
Whether it’s World Pet Memorial Day or another day of our choosing, memorializing a pet can help us move beyond the grief and hold on to the happy memories. And as we begin to heal, we may find comfort in the fact that, although they are not with us anymore, their paw prints will always be in our hearts.
Draw/Paint Your Pet
As long as you have all your best photos out of your pet, why not use one of your photos to draw or paint a portrait of them? Creating art is a wonderful catharsis, and you will have a long-lasting memory to show in your home. Everyone in the family can join in on this activity – the portraits don’t have to be perfect. It’s the thought that counts!
If you do decide you want a more “show-worthy” portrait to commemorate your pet with, there are many local artists that can be commissioned to re-create your favorite photo of your pet.
Get a Tattoo in Memory of Your Pet
If you’re the type that would rather carry a memory around with you for all to see, you could get a tattoo portrait of your pet. Although this isn’t an activity that kids can take part in, they can help you decide what picture of your pet you want tattooed on yourself. Instead of (or in addition to) a portrait, you could opt for a tattoo of the name of your pet, a paw print, or a special quote that will remind you of your pet. One favorite quote is by Josh Billings, who said, “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” No matter what you choose, a tattoo is definitely one of the most dedicated ways you can remember your beloved pet.
Create a 3D Tribute to Your Pet
A shadow box or 3D collage is another way you can memorialize your pet that has passed. If you still have items that belonged to your pet, such as a leash, collar, tags, etc., you can arrange them in a shadow box as a nice display in honor of your dog or cat.
You can also get your kids involved and have them help you make a 3D collage. This can include paintings or drawings of your pet and his or her favorite things, plus anything 3-dimensional you might want to put on there, such as old chew toys, special blankets, bandanas, food bowls, and more. Spending time with your family while you create these tributes will help you all to celebrate your pet’s life in a meaningful way.
Go for a Walk/Hike
Take the whole family and go on a walk or hike in honor of your pet. You could take a walk on a familiar path that your dog loved to go on, or hike somewhere that you think he or she would have enjoyed. Even if your thoughts are with a beloved indoor-only cat, you could also go on a walk outside in an area your pet may have gazed upon from their favorite perch.
Although it may seem sad to some, thinking about pets that have passed on is a great solace to many. No matter how you observe World Pet Memorial Day this June, visiting them in your thoughts will ensure your pets are never truly gone.
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