How to memorialise your pet

When a pet dies, it leaves a space that’s hard to explain. Their favourite spot on the couch sits empty, and the routines you shared — the walks, the pats, the quiet company — are suddenly gone. It’s a loss that hits deep, and everyone grieves differently.

Research tells us that the loss of a dog can be just as painful as the loss of a human loved one.

There’s no right way to say goodbye, but many people find comfort in creating something lasting. A way to remember the life, the love, and the weird little quirks that made your pet uniquely them.

If you’re not sure where to begin, here are a few gentle ideas.

Create a memory box

Gather up a few of their things — a collar, tags, a favourite toy, their lead or blanket — and place them in a box. Add printed photos, vet records, or even a handwritten letter. Tuck it away somewhere safe or keep it close. The act of collecting these items can be part of the healing process, and revisiting them later can feel like a small reunion.

Plant something

A tree, a flowerbed, a patch of herbs — anything that grows can become a living tribute. Some people choose to bury ashes beneath a tree or place a memorial stone in a quiet corner of the garden. Watching something bloom where your pet once played or lounged in the sun can bring a quiet sense of peace.

Make a shrine or altar

This doesn’t have to be elaborate. A shelf with a photo, a candle, and a few treasured items can become a spot to sit, reflect, or even say a few words when you’re missing them most. Pets become part of our everyday lives — it’s okay to give them space in our homes, even after they’re gone.

Commission something meaningful

There’s something powerful about holding onto a piece of them — literally. At Hairloom Pet Portraits, we create custom pet portraits made using your pet’s actual fur. It’s a way to keep part of them close, framed forever. Every piece is handmade and completely unique, because so was your pet.

You send us the fur, and we create something beautiful from it — a lasting tribute that’s more than a photo. It’s part memory, part artwork, and part of them.

However you choose to remember them, let it be yours

Whether you light a candle on their birthday or simply whisper their name from time to time, every act of remembrance matters. The grief might never fully go, but neither does the love. You gave them a good life. Let yourself keep a little piece of that love in return.