Honoring Pets From Your Past

Losing a beloved pet can be devastating. However, just because your favorite animal companion is not around anymore, this does not mean they are forgotten. So, what are some of the best ways to pay homage to your furry, feathered or scaly friend after they have passed on? Keep reading to find out how to keep the memory of your precious pet alive and thriving through the years to come.

Animal Portraiture

Having a painting, drawing, or sculpture custom made to commemorate the likeness of your former four-legged family member is a beautiful way to remember their spirit. Do you know an artist? If not, commissioning a one of a kind work of art is easier than you may think. Ask your vet if they can recommend one or look online for local artists in your area. Usually, they will request photos and specific design ideas and size specifications to know what you have in mind before beginning capturing their inner and outer beauty.

Want the memory of your pet to be with you at all times? Carry a wallet size of your commissioned piece with you! Or, for those who like to have art on their own bodies, consider getting a portrait of your pet tattooed on your person. If you would prefer something other than their face, you can get their name, dates of birth through death or paw prints instead.

Photo Album or Video Montage

Digital media gives us the ability to bring the past into the present. Gather up all the images to make a slideshow of your pet. If you have film images and not digital ones, scan them into a computer or onto a flash drive or SD card. Purchasing a digital picture frame and uploading them onto it is a unique way to display the series of heartwarming images you have compiled throughout your unique relationship.

Moving pictures like home videos capture the essence of your pet’s life. Watch them play, romp, frolic, snuggle and lick when you are feeling down about them being in another place. Are your videos on VHS? Do not worry. Many sites offer digital transfer services to get your analog movies onto a DVD.

Personal Keepsakes

Sentimental objects you used with your pet such as collars, name tags, leashes, toys, water bowls, brushes, et cetera provide a tangible way to reconnect with your pet’s presence, even after they are gone. It may be tempting to throw these items away directly after death, but keep in mind you may want one or more of them in the future.

Cremation, Taxidermy or Burial Plot

The physical body of your pet poses a prospect for dealing with your grief. Can their remains create a way to keep showing your love for them in the future? Yes. Professionals can cremate, stuff or create a headstone for your meaningful relationship with your passed on pet. This provides a way to have a shrine or temple in the form of a decorative urn, grave site or preserved body.

Consider each of these means and ways to move on carefully and one will seem right in the end. No matter which method you choose to use to honor your beloved pet, you will surely feel more reassured by the closure it provides.