Paw-Prints on Your Soul: Grieving a Beloved Pet

Those of us lucky enough to experience the unconditional love of a pet know that this love comes with just one caveat - you will outlive them, and losing them will be one of the hardest things you will ever experience.

We bring pets into our lives for various reasons; sometimes we seek out a new addition to the household, other times they simply cross our path at just the right time. Whatever the case, adding a furry companion to your family can be a joyous occasion that enriches your days and those of the precious life you have decided to take responsibility for. But there is a saying that goes, "with great joy comes great sorrow", and similarly, with immense love comes profound grief. Nothing can replace the feeling of your cat's paws, the affectionate licks of your dog, your bird's unique song, your lizard's funny walk, or your horse's tell-tale whinny, and the day we say goodbye to our beloved non-human family members and all the color they bring to our lives is absolutely devastating.

We here at Close By Me believe that the end of a life is not the end of a relationship; our pets leave paw prints on our souls and become deeply ingrained in our hearts. Below are some ways to create tangible remembrances of a cherished pet, helping to keep their love and the joy they brought to your life present while offering comfort and a way to feel close to them even in their absence. These heartfelt tributes aim to ensure the bond you shared continues to bring warmth and solace, keeping their memory alive in meaningful and enduring ways.

Set Their Ashes into a Piece of Memorial Jewelry

If you decide to have your beloved companion cremated after they pass away, incorporating their ashes into a piece of jewelry can be a comforting way to navigate your grief and honor their memory. While many websites and companies offer urn jewelry that you fill yourself, all of our pieces are crafted in our studio using a patented process that solidifies the ashes and permanently bonds them to the jewelry, allowing the ashes and jewelry to become one discreet and elegant piece designed for daily wear. We offer a wide range of designs and ways to customize, but here are a few examples:

For a personalized, wearable tribute without ashes, we have a small selection of engraving-only memorial jewelry that you can customize with your pet's paw or nose print and additional engraving of your choosing.

Create Memorial Jewelry Using Other Materials

Nearly all of our cremation jewelry designs can be made with alternative materials, either in place of or in combination with ashes. You might include a small tuft of your pet’s fur, one of their whiskers, or even a piece of fabric from their collar or favorite toy, creating a deeply personal keepsake that holds a tangible connection to your beloved companion.

Some jewelry companies will accept items that are significant to you and your pet’s life and craft the items themselves into unique pieces of jewelry. While we unfortunately do not offer this kind of service at this time, companies such as Spur Jewelry do.

Preserve Their Memory Through Art

Commissioning an artist to paint or sketch a portrait of your pet or a significant scene in honor of them can help keep their memory alive and turn it into a lasting part of your home. For some, seeing their face every day can bring comfort and a sense of continuity, while a hand-painted canvas adds a level of sentimentality that digital photos on devices often lack. In addition to or instead of a lifelike portrait, you could also commission a landscape of their favorite park, a depiction of a cherished moment you shared, an assortment of their favorite toys, or a symbolic representation like a tree, flower, or star that reminds you of their spirit. Some artists, such as our own Isabel of Eternal Hues and our artist friend Edgar Toh, will even incorporate a small amount of your pet's ashes into the paint they use, making the resulting artwork all the more precious.

Ashes can also be used for other unique creations, such as stunning pieces of abstract art. At EverAfter, the team uses a patented process to extract and photograph the microscopic patterns in your pet's molecular makeup, producing a visually stunning and scientifically accurate piece of art that is as one-of-a-kind as your pet.

Digital artwork offers an affordable and accessible way to create a personalized and artistic tribute. Some platforms, such as Colorcastic, allow you to upload your favorite photo of your pet and turn it into a beautifully stylized piece that resembles a watercolor or impressionist painting, pencil sketch, or vibrant pop-art design. Furthermore, digital files can be printed on a variety of mediums, such as canvas, posters, or keepsake items, making it easy to create lasting tributes that seamlessly blend into your space.

Reserve a Memorial Space in Your Home

The absence of the familiar clickety-clack of tiny claws on the floor can be a heartbreaking reminder for those grieving the loss of a pet. While that cherished sound can never be replaced, you can create a special memorial space in your home to honor the memory of your beloved companion. This could be a small shelf, corner, or tabletop adorned with mementos such as their favorite toy, blanket, collar, or leash and other meaningful items like a framed photo, paw print keepsake, candle, or urn holding their ashes. Adding a plant to the memorial space can symbolize the ongoing life and growth that your pet inspired, offering a living tribute to your pet's spirit. The memorial jewelry and art ideas discussed above can also be incorporated to personalize and enhance your memorial space. Whether it's a simple corner or elaborate display, this special spot can offer a place to reflect, remember, and feel close to your pet, keeping their memory alive in a comforting and tangible way.

Donate in Their Honor

One meaningful way to honor a beloved pet who has passed away is to give back to the animal community in their memory. Donations to local shelters, rescues, animal welfare groups, veterinary charities, dog parks, cat cafes, and more can be both a wonderful tribute and immense help to animals in need. If a monetary donation isn’t possible, consider donating supplies such as food, blankets, or toys; these gifts not only honor your pet but also directly improve the lives of animals waiting for their forever homes. By giving back in your pet’s name, you turn their memory into a legacy of kindness and compassion that continues to make a difference.

 

If you or someone you know has discovered a unique way to honor the memory of a cherished pet that we haven’t mentioned, we’d love to hear about it! We are always seeking new ways to help those who are grieving find solace in celebrating the lives of their cherished companions. Together, we can continue to honor the pets who have left paw prints on our hearts, ensuring their memory lives on in ways that bring comfort, warmth, and healing.

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