Honor Your Pet: Four Ways to Keep Your Pet’s Memory Alive June 23, 2015

When a beloved pet passes away, the feelings of loss can be overwhelming. First and foremost, you must allow yourself to experience your grief. Someone with whom you had a very close bond has passed on, so allow yourself to feel the pain of that loss.

As you mourn for your pet, it is natural to want to keep his or her memory alive. Engaging in some or all of the activities listed below will not only help you memorialize your pet, but may also help you transform your feelings of loss into a fond remembrance of the happy times you spent with your pet.

Talk it Out

While it may be tempting to stay home and mourn in solitude, it is healthy to get out and speak with loved ones or a support group about your feelings. Pet loss support groups, like the monthly meetings held at Paws, Whiskers & Wags, are a great way for bereaved pet parents to connect to a community of people who are going through similar experiences.

Simply talking with friends and family who knew and loved your pet can also be extremely helpful. By asking loved ones to recall happy memories of your pet, you will be honoring the memory of your pet and sharing healing experiences with loved ones.

Get Creative

You don’t have to be a professional artist or writer to find some relief in creating artwork in memory of your pet. To honor your pet, write a short story or poem about them, or create a painting or sculpture in their likeness. Because you know your pet’s personality so well, it can be a great therapeutic activity to imagine how they would react in different scenarios. By expressing your grief through a creative outlet, you’ll be preserving the memory of your pet and participating in an enjoyable activity to take your mind off of your feelings of loss.

Personalize Your Pet’s Memorial

Preserve the memory of your pet with a memorial that reflects his or her personality. We offer a variety of urns, memorials, customized figurines, and more at Paws, Whiskers & Wags to help bring comfort to those who have lost a beloved pet.

Place the memorial in your home, yard, or even your pet’s favorite spot to serve as a fond reminder of all of the happy memories you shared together.

Help Others in Your Pet’s Memory

Volunteering is a great way to honor the memory of your pet. You may not feel ready to adopt another pet for some time after the loss of your pet, but by volunteering at a local animal shelter or vet’s office, you can help other pets have a better life. By volunteering, you’ll also be filling up the time you would have normally spent with your pet, which will help you through the grieving process.

In addition to volunteering, making a donation in your pet’s name is another excellent way to honor the memory of your beloved pet. For example, if your pet was a pit bull rescue, donate to a local pit bull rescue organization or to a local shelter. Making a donation will honor the memory of your pet, and will make you feel better for having done a good deed that will benefit other animals.

Find Comfort after the Loss of Your Pet at Paws, Whiskers & Wags

If you have recently lost a beloved pet, you will find an understanding and empathetic community at Paws, Whiskers & Wags. In addition to our monthly Pet Loss Support Group, we also participate in several special events throughout the year, such as charitable occasions and our Annual Pet Celebration. Contact our team to learn more about our pet loss support events and resources.