Owning a dog is an incredibly rewarding experience—all pet parents second that. These four-legged animals bring boundless joy and unwavering loyalty and shower with abundant love. No wonder pet ownership has risen significantly over the past three decades in the U.S. About 66%—86.9 million—of U.S. households own a pet.
While owning a dog is an absolute blessing, you will have to bid them goodbye sometime in life. Honestly, losing a beloved dog is one of the most heart-wrenching experiences you can go through.
When dogs pass away, pet parents seek ways to honor and commemorate them. Fortunately, there are several ways you can memorialize the life of your deceased furry companion.
In this article, we’ll discuss a few heartfelt ways to remember your Fido.
#1 Host a Memorial Service
Hosting memorial services allows people to honor and pay tribute to the lives of their loved ones. Thus, it’s a powerful way to process grief. Consider hosting a memorial service for your deceased furry companion. A memorial is more than simply discussing or thinking about your Rover. It is, rather, an intentional action that can kickstart your journey toward healing.
Gather the right mix of family and friends—those who understand that your canine companion was not just an animal but a cherished member of your family. You can hold a memorial service for your deceased Fido in the backyard of your home. Consider incorporating elements that reflect its personality and the special bond you shared.
Share memories of your Fido with your guests and allow others to do the same, so you can mourn the loss together. However, if you don’t want it to be a public ceremony, perform the service in private.
#2 Preserve the Ashes in a Keepsake Urn
Honor your Fido’s life by storing its ashes in a keepsake urn. Of course, you can do so only if you opt for private cremation. Pet ashes are returned in private ceremonies, unlike communal ceremonies.
Preserving your Rover’s ashes in an urn can help you keep its memory close. Choose an urn that reflects your canine companion’s personality. Keepsake urns are available in an array of materials, from glass to brass. However, we would advise you to go for stone urns.
Stone is among the oldest materials used for urns and is quite popular due to its durability. Urns made of stone are resistant to cracking, shattering, and scratching. They are also easy to maintain. A quick wipe with a stone cleaner will restore their shine.
These urns are available in various designs, which is why they blend well with all types of decor. Some businesses offering stone urns allow customizations. Stone urns at Legacy Urns are customizable. You can add anything you want, from the name to the date of birth and death.
Some people bury the urn in their garden or another meaningful location. Others, however, choose to display the urn on a mantel, shelf, or dedicated memorial table. You can choose whatever appeals to you.
#3 Make Paw Prints
Paw prints are precious because they are unique, just like human fingerprints. Therefore, consider making a paw print. You will be able to look at your Fido’s paw print even after it crosses the rainbow bridge.
Making paw prints is a heartfelt way to preserve the memory of your beloved Rover. You can take paw prints of your furry companion when it is alive or even after it has passed away.
You can use non-toxic clay or molding materials to take the impression of your Fido’s paws or ink or paint to make paw prints. If you choose the latter, buy enough ink and paper. You will have plenty of them in case the first few tries are unsuccessful.
You can either frame paw prints alongside a favorite photo of your Rover or incorporate them into a memorial collage. You can also create keepsakes by turning them into jewelry, ornaments, or stepping stones for the garden.
Though simple, creating paw prints is a meaningful way to honor the special bond you shared with your canine companion.
To sum things up, coping with the loss of a beloved dog is never easy. Finding meaningful ways to remember it can help ease the pain of its absence.
You can also honor your Rover by donating to a cause or an animal organization. Volunteering at a local animal shelter, rescue, or Humane Society International will also help you honor your dog’s legacy and provide a sense of fulfillment.
From hosting a memorial service to making paw prints, there are countless ways to honor the memory of your canine companions. Each memorial idea offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the joy, love, and companionship your Fido brought into your life. Be sure to choose ways that resonate with your heart. Later, when you feel ready, consider adopting again.
