Honor and Remember Your Pet:
A Legacy of Love

Memorializing the pet who brought you joy is an important part of grief healing. After your pet’s death, find ways to honor and remember your companion animal’s life. Here are a few suggestions, but your own ideas always work best.

Like a bird singing in the rain, let grateful memories survive in times of sorrow.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Your pet left you with a legacy of love. Finding ways to honor and remember your departed pet help you, and your children, acknowledge and mourn the loss of a life so dear. Grief rituals symbolize what you cherish and want to keep in your heart. They affirm your love, and offer comfort, as you commemorate the life of your beloved companion animal.

Twelve suggestions for honoring and remembering your pet:

1. Take a day, or part of a day, to honor and remember your pet. Your best friend has died and you are grieving.

2. You may want to have a candlelight ceremony and recite poetry or prayer.

3. Plant a tree or rose bush in your pet’s memory.

4. Place a personalized memorial marker in your garden.

5. Volunteer at an animal shelter.

6. Display framed pictures of your pet. Many styles of customized memorial frames are also available.

7. Create a scrapbook, collage, or photo album of memories. Digital albums save space and paper.

8. Make a keepsake video montage of your pet with background music that speaks to you.

9. Write a poem, story or prayer. Draw, paint a picture, or compose a song.

10. Donate to a humane organization. When my 16-year-old cat Sam died, I gave money to the shelter where I first met him as a tiny kitten.

Charity Navigator helps you find charities that you can trust. Free to use.

11. One of the loveliest ideas for remembering another dear companion came from the veterinarian who helped him on his final journey. After Merlin died, the vet took a clay impression of my cat's huge paw. Before the clay dried, he pierced a hole in the impression with a toothpick so that a ribbon could slip through the top. I used a deep yellow ribbon to symbolize Merlin's golden fur. The paw print is among my most cherished ornaments.Or, store precious items that remind you of your pet in a pet memory box.

12. Observe National Pet Memorial Day on the second Sunday in September.

You can honor your living pets, and all creatures, with a Blessing of the Animals in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals. This practice is not limited to Christianity. Animal blessings are found in major religions, and wisdom traditions, throughout the world.

Note: Blessings done in public settings can frighten pets, or put their health at risk. For this reason, many people offer a blessing at home for the comfort and safety of the animal. Do what is best for your pet.

7 Prayers and Blessings For Animals: Includes prayers for gratitude, general blessing, learning from animals, sickness, suffering, and in memory of a beloved pet. These can all be used at home for your own special observance.

cat-and-dog-curled-up-together-sleeping.

Two of my favorite poems:

Ode to I Ching
By Tony D'Agnese

Close your eyes now,
my longtime friend,
and let this
time of suffering
come to a peaceful end.
We'll walk together
soon, I'm sure,
as winter turns to spring,
when snow gives way
to budding leaves
and birds begin to sing.
The gentle breeze
shall call your name
along the water's edge.
For what you meant
and what we shared
shall never be forgot.
Your friendship spans
the years behind,
your memory ahead.
You'll always be
there next to me,
companion and good friend.

My Little Cat Ghost
By Lynette Combs

The years I've worn you,
warm upon my shoulder,
ended here...
surprised to find us older.

And there was nothing
left to do today
but hold you close
and help you on your way.

Be still, my little cat,
Be well; be free.
I know that you are somewhere near
and loving me.