Losing a Dog Is Hard- The Rainbow Bridge Concept Helps Heal
If you’re a veteran dog owner, you know at some point you will have to face your dog’s mortality. It’s never an easy topic. Ever. No matter how your dog sees the end of their days, they have become part of your family, and it is hard to say goodbye.
For those of us who have made this journey, my heart goes out to you. We all know the desire to have some way to remember our beloved pets after they are gone. Most vets will have options like your pet’s paw print in clay and/or some of their fur, and possibly even cremation services. If you feel you want something more, here are a few other ideas on ways to remember your dog after they arrive at the Rainbow Bridge. Or, they could be a sympathy gift for someone you know that is grieving the loss of a beloved pet.
Memorial Beads
It’s amazing how creative people are getting with EVERYTHING these days. This even crosses over in ways to remember our pets using ashes or their fur. For some people, their pets are their children because they don’t have any. So it makes sense for those who are especially close to their dogs to want to remember them in a unique way.
Etsy has become a go-to place for handmade and unique gifts. Here are a couple of links to find some options using ashes/fur:
You can also find ways to contribute to other pets in memory/honor of your dog:
- Limited Edition Memorial Bracelet – proceeds will go to help feed shelter pets in honor of your dog
Pet Cremation
One of the most popular ways (other than burial) to remember your dog is to have it cremated and displayed in an attractive urn or box. There are several options if you decide to remember your dog this way, so you can price compare to find what works best for you.
- Your local vet – if you have a regular vet most of their offices provide the option to cremate when your dog passes in their facility. They generally provide a paw print and hair clipping to remember your pet as well.
- At home – There is a company called Lap of Love that I can personally recommend. I couldn’t bring myself to take my dog in for their “last vet visit”. Lap of Love comes to your house and provides a comforting, personal experience to say goodbye. If you opt to do a cremation they will take your dog for you and send the ashes back. Before they leave, they will do a paw print and hair clipping for your memory box as well.
- Local Services – there are a couple of local pet crematories you can take your dog to if the need arises.
Rainbow Bridge Poem
There is a beautiful poem that is often used to comfort those who are mourning the loss of a pet. Whether you give it to someone as a gift or give it to yourself for comfort, you can easily find it in a printable form (like this one on Etsy)
If you haven’t read it before, here it is:
Pawprints Left By You Poem
Another popular poem people often give people mourning the loss of their pet is the Pawprints Left By You poem. It’s a beautiful poem to help comfort, and it also comes in printable versions like this one on Amazon: Pawprints left by you.
Memorial Plaque
If the previous ideas are a bit more than you feel comfortable with, but you still want to remember your pet, maybe a memorial plaque will fit your style and/or budget. They can be as extravagant or simple as you like. Again, places like Amazon and Etsy have personalized options if you search for them, but you can also look at websites like this one.
There is no right our wrong way to mourn our pets – every person has their own way. But we do understand there is a common bond between those who have lost a pet and know the hole they fill in our hearts. If you have recently lost a pet, our sincere condolences. Even if it’s been awhile and you’re still grieving, we know that pain can take awhile to lessen, and we hope their memory will always fill you with happiness.
If you need help training your dog, we would love to talk with you:
