We’ve all heard that saying “tis better to have loved and have lost than to never have loved at all.” When we’re drowning in grief over the loss of a beloved pet, we might find it hard to remember this saying. All we know is our lives have forever changed because a part of our heart has been taken from us. As a way to deal with the grief, many of us find ways to remember our pet. Here are several heartfelt ways to remember and pay them tribute.
Create a special burial spot.
Many pet parents opt to bury their beloved pet in a pet cemetery or in a special space in their yard, adding a plaque with the pet’s name. A burial spot provides you with somewhere to go to visit your beloved family member.
Place your pet’s urn in a prominent place.
An increasingly popular option for pet parents is cremation. Most veterinary offices offer cremation through outside services that allow you to have your pet’s remains returned to you in an urn. Or, you can purchase your own urn from another source. Etsy is a great place to find unique urns and memorial jewelry. Click here to check out stunning, biodegradable pet urns from EterniTrees.
An urn offers the same benefits as burial in that you can display it in a prominent place, surrounded by photos and mementos of your beloved pet. It’s also easy to transport if you move from your current home.
Wear memorial jewelry.
Cremation offers another benefit: You can always keep your loved one close to your heart. Memorial jewelry, which holds some of your pet’s remains, is becoming increasingly popular. You can find pet cremation necklaces and bracelets in a variety of styles and materials. Some people have even begun to have some of their pet’s remains turned into a unique gemstone that they can then wear on a necklace, bracelet, ring, or earrings. Beautiful idea, really.
Hold a memorial service.
Sometimes other people don’t really understand just how hard the loss of our pet hits us except other pet parents. Surround yourself – whether in person or online – with other pet parents as you deal with your loss by holding a memorial service. Talking of and laughing about the good times will help you better cope with your loss and help you remember your loved one. And, what better way to do that than with an informal memorial service?
Adopt another pet.
Only you know, after a loss, when the time is right to adopt another pet. Doing so, however, will honor your pet by saving two lives: You save the life of the pet you adopt and the life of an animal who can now be rescued because a spot has opened up in the shelter/rescue.
Sponsor a homeless pet.
Plenty of animals sit in rescues and animal shelters waiting for their forever home. Sponsoring one on a monthly basis will help the rescue or the animal shelter to house, feed, and provide veterinary care for one of those pets.
Donate to a rescue in your pet’s honor.
Choose a rescue or an animal shelter – perhaps the one from which you adopted your pet – and make a donation to it in your little one’s honor.
Create a photo album.
Sometimes the simplest things can make the biggest differences in our lives. Start going through the countless photos you have of your beloved pet in all stages of her life, choosing your favorites for a photo album. That way, you memorialize your beloved friend and have something to comfort and to remind you of the special love you shared.
No matter how you choose to memorialize your pet, you may just find that it helps with the healing process. Through the sadness and grief, these ways to remember your pet may just bring you a little bit of joy.
