Five Ways to Memorialize Your Dog

One of life’s saddest truths is that dogs have far shorter lives than we do. Coping with the loss of a pet can be a difficult and lonely experience. Here are five ways to help transmute your pain into more acceptance, and, eventually, gratitude for having had such a special relationship.

1. Lean on others for emotional support

After the passing of a beloved pet, it’s important to be with others, especially those who can empathize with what you’re experiencing. All pet lovers know the very real pain of losing an animal, and connecting with those who can share in your loss will aid in soothing your struggle. The death of a pet will inevitably lead to a grieving process, which can be shortened if we seek the support of friends, family, and even a therapist if need be.

2. Get their portrait commissioned

When it comes to the legacies of those we love, one of the most meaningful ways we commemorate and memorialize is through art. Portraits are creative interpretations; they tell a story. Somehow, when we look at a work of art – a portrait of a beloved dog, for instance – we see the subject through the lens of an artist. With each gesture of their brush, we experience the artist’s way of seeing and responding to the expression, emotionality, and essentially the very essence of their subject. A sense of spirit – or soul (some may say) – can be captured. It can be one of the most fulfilling ways to honor and memorialize another.

3. Make a photo album

Compiling photos to make an album of your pet after their death can help you integrate the chapter in your life that your pet has marked. The very process of working with your hands to make something – even as simple as arranging a photo album – can help you process the years spent with your pet, while also helping you define the new life chapter that awaits.

4. Plant something in your yard

By planting a perennial, you’ll be able to observe new life spring fourth each spring for years to come. Consider, a flowering shrub, spring bulbs or even a fruit tree! And, if your pet had a favorite spot in the yard – that might be an ideal area for your new addition. Time heals all wounds – and nature is a fundamental way in which we experience time. As the seasons cycle, so too will your plantings – and, inevitably, your own healing will take place.

5. Have a memento made

You can find many artisans and small businesses online that can help you concretize your pet’s life. Some people choose engraved stones or memorial plaques to display inside or outside their homes. Others may have a piece of jewelry made as a way to stay close to their dog in spirit – some may even choose to include something belonging to their dog – like a dog-tag, for instance – into the piece. Whatever it is, a commemorative object can be a powerful, daily reminder of the life your dog lived.

In conclusion

Thankfully, there are many ways to come to peace with a dog’s passing, while also not forgetting and repressing what’s occurred. Taking the time to undergo the process of finding your own unique way to memorialize and celebrate your animal will be well worth your energy. Although these five ideas should prove to be helpful, it is ultimately up to you and your own unique creativity to make your way of memorializing feel true.

About the author: Hannah Stahl is an award-winning pet portraitist. She works out of her studios in Providence, RI and Brooklyn, NY, and has her MFA from The New York Academy of Art. Her portraiture has been recognized by New England Monthly Magazine, The Providence Journal, and most notably, The Westminster Kennel Club.