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(Article #3, remember your dog in a 3-part series on coping with the loss of a dog.)
The death of a furry family member is heartbreaking for the household humans and dogs left behind. Sometimes it’s sudden, while sometimes family members can prepare themselves for the day. However, in either instance, it’s important to find meaningful ways to remember your dog.
Furthermore, each family member, including the furry ones, should find their own special way. Plus, the ways to remember your dog are as personal and creative as you want them to be.
Most importantly, recognize that memories are significant in your mourning. Therefore, memorializing your dog can provide a great sense of relief and help soften the pain.
In addition, when you remember your dog in a meaningful way, you are keeping a connection open. Therefore, this can help in your healing process.
After I became an empty nester, Bella was my first puppy. It was just her and I for four years before Edward came into our lives. Then the three of us for, another two years, before my husband came into our lives.
So, when Bella passed away at 13-years-old, I was pretty sure I was going to fall apart. The loss was so profound and deeply painful. Plus, I was confused and unsure why I was feeling the way I did. But as I’ve learned, there is no rule book or road map for this healing journey.
Remember Your Dog With 14 Memorial Ideas
Celebrating the memory of your dog can be a good way to establish closure. Furthermore, creating a legacy or a memorial is a great way to remember your dog.
Did your dog have a favorite space in the home or a spot at their favorite park? You can spend some time there to remember your dog. There really is no wrong way to memorialize your dog’s life and the experiences you shared with them.
Following is a compilation of 14 ways to remember your dog after they have passed away.
1. Have an Item of Jewelry Made
Any piece of jewelry may be a token of remembrance for your dog’s life. However, you can have keepsake pieces made to specifically memorialize your dog. For instance, a scanned image of your dog’s nose or paw can be engraved with your dog’s name.
You can search Etsy to find numerous shops that have a service for memorializing a dog with jewelry. In addition to nose or paw images, some sellers will incorporate your dog’s ashes or fur into the jewelry. Even a photograph can be made into a piece of jewelry.
2. Create a Memory Quilt
There are several options to think about when it comes to a memory quilt. For instance, a popular memory quilt is made from a collection of your favorite photos. However, you can have a simple quilt made with stitching of your dog’s name, dates, etc. Lastly, you can use your dog’s clothing or blankets sewn together to make a sweet quilt.
3. Plant a Tree or Flowers
Planting a tree or flowers is a sweet way to honor your dog’s life. Furthermore, this will provide you with a beautiful daily reminder of the memories shared with your dog. Did your dog have a favorite spot in your garden or an enjoyable digging place? You can choose one of those areas, or another special location outside, to plant something new.
We received, in the mail, the sweetest gesture from Bella’s cardiology veterinarian after she passed away. They sent a card notifying us about a donation for a tree to be planted in her memory. Shortly before she passed, a nearby forest fire destroyed numerous homes and vegetation. It’s been a comfort knowing a memorial tree in her name is breathing life back into that community.
4. Volunteering/Donating Time/Money to Shelters, Causes, and Organizations
There are so many ways to give back to honor your dog’s life. For instance, you can volunteer at a local animal shelter to love on dogs without a home. However, if time is an issue, you can sponsor a dog in need of a home.
In addition to volunteering, there are ways you can make gently used and monetary donations. For example, animal rescues are always in need of supplies. Therefore, you can make a gently used donation of your dog’s bed, toys, clothing, and leftover food.
When it comes to monetary donations, there are so many causes and organizations that rely on donations. This is a simple, yet eloquent way to memorialize your dog. Therefore, research and find a cause or organization that really speaks to your heart. For example, think about rescue shelters and service dog organizations.
Furthermore, you can create a scholarship or dog memorial fund. For instance, many veterinary students are able to fund their education through dog memorial gifts. Your donation will remember and honor your dog, while helping aspiring veterinarians follow their dreams.
Another idea would be to set up a fund for dog parents who can’t afford their care. For instance, check with your local veterinary offices to see if they have an “angel fund” program. Or, you can ask if you can set one up.
5. Compile a Memory Box
Creating a memory box is inexpensive and easy to compile all of your favorite memorabilia in one place. Plus, it’s a great way to involve the whole family. For instance, collect photographs, favorite toys and blankets, a collar and leash, and other keepsakes. Then, you can keep this memory box either displayed in the house or kept out of sight. This is a special way to have something concrete to revisit through the years.
In addition to a box with a lid, consider using a hanging shadow box. This can be placed somewhere special to be looked at often. You can place items such as a photo, a paw print, a lock of fur, or a collar.
After my brother-in-law’s dog, Rudy passed, I gathered some things to put in a shadow box. Then, I arranged and attached them inside the shadow box. Plus, I wrapped the shadow box, put a bow on it, and gave it to him at Christmas.
6. Create an Outdoor Memorial
An outdoor memorial is a more traditional way to remember your dog. For instance, it is usually some type of marker above a home burial site. However, I suggest checking with your local government on any law pertaining to a backyard burial. After this, there are different choices you can make for marking the site.
For instance, having your dog’s name etched onto a headstone or a garden stone will be comforting. Some dog parents place a wooden bench with their dog’s name as a place to sit and remember. You can also plant a tree or flowers on top of the burial site.
On the other hand, perhaps you went with cremation for your dog. Therefore, you can consider mixing your dog’s ashes with the soil in a favorite area. Then, you can use one of the ideas above for creating an outdoor memorial. Another option with ashes is incorporating them into a physical marker. For instance, there are services where you can mix your dog’s ashes with concrete.
Even if you elect to not have your dog’s ashes returned, you can create an outdoor memorial. Having something to physically enjoy can bring comfort and a place to remember your dog.
7. Put Together a Photo Album or Scrapbook
A creative memorial to remember your dog is putting together a photo album or scrapbook. You can go the traditional route or the digital route. For instance, the traditional route would be putting together a physical photo album or scrapbook.
Therefore, you can involve the whole family, and let everyone choose their favorite photos from across the years. Then, purchase a photo album or scrapbook, stickers, and print the photos. An idea would be to make it into a timeline. For example, from puppy to grown in the sniff of a snoot. In addition, you can add labels with captions, and other memorabilia, such as dog tags.
On the other hand, we do live in a digital world. Therefore, we have numerous digitally taken photos on our phones to remind us of our fur babies. There are many options online to upload your photos into a print book or album. Plus, you can order extra copies for other family members. Furthermore, some services offer custom covers, lettering, and a variety of material options.
Whichever way you choose to create a photo memorial, viewing the photos will bring comfort while grieving. Viewing photos will always spark some joy while you remember your dog.
8. Hold a Memorial Service or Funeral for Your Dog
A memorial or funeral is an intentional action that can help start your healing process. Just like with humans, it’s perfectly valid with a dog, as a traditional way to say goodbye. In addition, whoever attends can share their own memories, and you’ll have comfort knowing you’re not alone.
However, it doesn’t have to be a public event. You can perform your own private service or ceremony. Therefore, it can be as simple as a few family members in the backyard, to several friends, too.
As mentioned earlier, check with your local government on any law pertaining to a backyard burial.
9. Cremation
Many dog parents choose cremation as an option for remembering as well as taking care of the remains. Therefore, there are a couple of ways cremation can take place. One is communal cremation, where several dog’s bodies are cremated at the same time.
However, you will not receive the ashes. So, if you want the ashes returned, the second way is to choose a private cremation. This usually costs a little more, but is worth it for many dog parents.
Then, you have several options as to what you do with the ashes. For example, the ashes can be kept in an urn or decorative box. Or, you can spread the ashes in a flower garden or somewhere special to you and your dog.
Most veterinarians offer this service in which you will have several options for how the ashes are returned. For instance, there are eco-friendly bags if you are planning to spread the ashes.
However, there are many urn choices that come in various sizes, designs, and materials. For example, you can choose from wood, marble, metal, or ceramic. Plus, your dog’s name can be engraved on an urn.
When Bella passed away, I called my veterinarian to learn this is a service they offer. I took her there, wrapped in her favorite blanket. They took me to a private room, where I chose how I wanted her ashes returned to me. Then, they gave me the opportunity to sit in the room with her for as long as I needed.
Later, they returned her ashes, in the beautiful wooden box I had chosen, with her name etched on it. In addition, I received an imprint in plaster of her sweet little paw. So, cremation is a beautiful way to remember your dog.
10. Make Paw Prints
Many veterinarians will make a paw print for you as a part of their euthanasia service. They will also provide a paw print as a part of their cremation service, such as mine did. For instance, paw prints are often made in clay. So, if this isn’t mentioned during your veterinarian euthanasia or cremation appointment, be sure to ask.
However, another option is to get imprints yourself. For instance, you can do this while your dog is still alive, or even after they have passed. For example, use ink or paint on your dog’s paw, then place their paw on paper.
I created an e-book with ideas on how to create art with a dog’s paw prints. Furthermore, this is such a fun bonding experience to do with your dog. I never realized, at the time, how much Bella’s paw prints would comfort me after she passed. Therefore, being able to look at your dog’s paw prints after they’ve passed can be a meaningful memorial.
11. Commission a Work of Art
There are many talented artists on Etsy who can create a one-of-a-kind remembrance piece. For instance, this could be a watercolor painting, sketch, or even a sculpture. Furthermore, the remembrance piece can even contain some of your dog’s fur or ashes.
However, another option is to find a local artist to create a custom piece that celebrates your dog. A few years before Bella passed, an artist friend painted a portrait of her for my birthday. This beautiful custom piece has brought me much comfort now that she’s gone.
Another idea is to take an art class where you can create a piece with your own hands. Art can be great therapy for your grief. Plus, the piece you create will be a unique memorial to your dog.
Furthermore, a custom work of art can be a beautiful way to display your dog, and bring comfort. I have the painting of Bella displayed on a shelf along with her urn, and paw print. It truly brings me comfort.
Now This Is Something To Bark About!!
12. Get a Tattoo of Your Pet
Many dog parents honor their dogs in a more permanent way. For instance, a portrait, caricature, paw print, or nose print tattoo are very popular. In addition, other tattoo remembrance ideas include your dog’s name or their silhouette.
This Etsy artist creates beautiful custom, minimalistic line art for a tattoo. For instance, a drawing of your dog’s ears will be sent to you. Then, you can take it to a tattoo artist.
Regardless of what type of tattoo you choose, it is one way to keep your dog’s memory close.
13. Window Decals
Car and truck window decals are a great way to memorialize your dog. For instance, this Etsy shop creates custom decals/stickers in the image of your dog. However, you can use them on other smooth surfaces, such as laptops.
In addition, there are creative message options you can choose to display. While some dog parents may list their dog’s name and dates on the decals, others may not. For instance, some may only display the image of their dog. Yet, others may display a message that reads “I miss my Morkie”, or “Honk if you love Huskies.”
So, anything goes, just choose something you’re comfortable with displaying. This is a great way to honor the life of your dog.
14. Lookalike Plush Pillow and Other Items
Petsies is a company that creates custom made pet “lookalikes”. For instance, they create custom stuffed animals in the image of your fur baby. But, why stop with a custom pet plush creation.
Petsies also offers bobbleheads, golf headcovers, pajamas, socks, photo blankets and pillows, magnets, keychains, and ornaments. So many sweet ways to remember your dog, and give yourself some comfort during the grieving process.
In Conclusion
So, there is just no single way to remember your dog when creating a meaningful memorial. There is no road map or rulebook for your healing journey, either. Therefore, your memories are important, and they will bring you deep comfort through the years.
In addition, don’t be afraid to try one of these meaningful ways to remember your dog. For instance, you’ll feel much better, and it will keep a special connection to your beloved dog.
Please know that it’s normal for you to remember your dog in special ways.
What are your suggestions for memorializing a dog? We would love to read them in the comments below.
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