Honoring Your Pet’s Memory: Ideas Beyond the Rainbow Bridge
When our 13-year-old golden retriever died a year and a half ago, we knew we wanted to memorialize him in some way. He was such a big part of our family and our hearts, and we knew we would miss him forever, so it made sense to want to remember him in a tangible way. But knowing what we wanted to do took a little bit more time, and that’s okay. There is no hurry. You can take your time deciding what is right for you and your relationship with your pet. There’s also no “right” way to memorialize your pet. There are endless ways to do this, and we will talk about a few of them here. The important thing is finding something that feels right to you.
First, let’s just get this out of the way: memorializing your pet only matters if it’s important to you. It is not a requirement or a referendum on how much you love your pet. Some people find comfort in finding ways to actively remember their pet, while others prefer to remember quietly in their hearts and minds. Like most things with grief, this is an individual choice, and you should not let other people make you feel wrong about what you choose. Both ways are valid. It’s not a matter of “should”, it’s about what helps you most. But if you do want to memorialize your pet, here are a few ideas to get you thinking.
Something Tangible to Hold
Some people find comfort in having a physical object to remember their pet by. This could be their collar, a paw print, or an art object. For example, I know someone who framed their dog’s collar and tags in a shadowbox. My daughter keeps a clay footprint of our dog in a special box. Sometimes people worry that having a physical reminder of their pet might be too emotionally difficult to see. And while this option might not be right for everyone, for people who choose this, it can be very comforting.
Living Tributes that Give Back
A living tribute can be something like a plant or a tree. In fact, that’s what we chose to do for our golden retriever, Stiggy. A tree in the backyard will always remind us of him. Other “living” tributes could include donating to a shelter in their name, where their lives impact others. These kinds of tributes can help you feel connected to your pet’s legacy for years to come. If you are planting a tree, consider whether your home is long-term for you and whether it would be painful to leave a memorial tree behind if you have to move.
Creative Ways to Express How You Are Feeling
If you’re artistic, this can be a great way to honor your pet with a painting or a quilt; the possibilities are endless. But you don’t have to be an artist to go this route. You can often find custom pet art on Etsy relatively inexpensively. Or you can write a letter to your pet. Even if no one reads it, it can be a great way to express your feelings and love.
Rituals That Honor Your Bond
Creating traditions or small ceremonies to honor your pet can be really meaningful. Something small, like lighting a candle on their birthday or going out for an ice cream cone if it was your pet’s favorite treat to share, can help you feel close to your pet. Rituals don’t have to be elaborate to be meaningful.
Everyday Remembrance
You can find small, daily ways to keep them present. Continuing things like their daily walk or displaying photos in your home can be simple but comforting ways to keep your pet on your mind throughout your day-to-day. Keep in mind that remembering your pet doesn’t mean you aren’t “moving forward”; it means that they mattered to you.
What Feels Right Might Change Over Time
We often get paralyzed by trying to find just the “right” way to remember our pet, but keep in mind that what feels right may change as time passes, and that’s okay. Some memorials are immediate, while others unfold over time. If you haven’t done anything to memorialize your pet, but you want to later, you still can. There is no time limit, and you can always add something or change how you remember.
Remember, these are just a few ideas, and what may be comforting to someone else may not work for you. There is no right or wrong way to honor your pet and the love they brought into your life. You can take your time finding something that fits you and your pet best.
Another way to honor your pet’s memory and the grief you’re feeling with their loss is to work together in my pet loss program. Find out more details HERE.
If you need more ideas, I've put together a comprehensive guide with 50+ meaningful ways to honor your pet's memory, from simple daily practices to more involved tributes. It includes specific ideas across multiple categories and price points, plus reflection prompts to help you discover what feels right for you. Download it free and give yourself permission to memorialize in whatever way honors your love for your pet best.
