Whether you are a dog lover or your special pet was a cat, a guinea pig, a horse, snake, goat, hamster, bird or any other companion animal; we hope this article helps you remember, mourn, heal and memorialize its life. Here are some ways to remember a lost pet:
1. Have a memorial service
Having a memorial service is one of the best ways to remember a lost pet. This is especially important from a child’s perspective. If your child is showing signs of grief at having lost her/his favorite companion, help them grieve and remember their pet. Encourage the child to write down their feelings in a letter or a poem. Make the child list down things they miss about the pet. You can even buy and decorate a headstone for the pet’s memorial. You can also write an obituary.
2. Express your grief through art or writing
Pets become a part of the family and it can be very difficult in the early days of their passing for us humans. Draw or paint a picture of your pet’s memory. It does not matter if you have the skills or not. This is another way for kids to remember a pet that has died. You can even write a poem or a story you remember about the pet. If you have a blog, use it to tell your pet’s story and all about its remarkable life.
3. Create a scrapbook
Create a scrapbook or simply a photo album filled with photos of the pet. You can include details about the pet such as its birth date, special memory, fur, and feathers or simply include a list of all the favorite things about the pet. Encourage all family members to fill the scrapbook with their own recollections about the lost pet.
4. Light a candle
Buy a special candle and light it every evening for a few days to remember your beloved pet.
5. Plant a tree
Plant a tree in the memory of your pet that has died recently. This is one of the best ways to honor your deceased pet.
6. Buy or make jewelry
You can get many pet memorial jewelry ideas from Pinterest. If you have the know-how, you can make the jewelry to remember your dog or cat yourself. Alternatively, you can also buy jewelry to remember your pet online. Rings, earrings, brooches and necklaces are readily available that can help memorialize your beloved pet.
7. Host a gathering of people who loved the pet
Get together with people who loved your pet as much as you did. You can use the time to share memories about her/him. Do not forget to send invitations to your pet’s vet, groomer and other people who helped you raise them.
8. Create a Holiday ornament
Use your pet’s locket, tags, fur, feather etc to create an ornament for the tree.
9. Make a keepsake box
Place all of your pet’s belongings: blankets, toys, photos, collars, etc in the keepsake box. Decorate the box with your pet’s name.
Pets remain in our hearts forever; so give yourself all the time it takes to heal. It won’t be easy and there will be very difficult days in the beginning. With passage of time, things will get a bit easier.