Dog memorial ideas: gentle ways to remember them
Ideas for remembering a dog who has died, for the first weeks and for the years after.
Remembering,
Losing a dog leaves a quiet space in the home that is hard to describe. A memorial will not fill it, but it can give your love for them somewhere to go. These are ideas people find comforting, from small private gestures to things the whole family can share. There is no right way, and no deadline.
Keep something they wore or loved
Their collar and tag, a favourite toy or the lead that hung by the door. Many people keep these somewhere they see every day: on a hook, in a shadow box, or simply in a drawer they can open when they want to. Some keep a small tuft of fur in a locket or envelope.
Plant something
A tree, a rose or a patch of their favourite sniffing spot in the garden gives you somewhere to go and something that grows. Choose a plant that flowers around their birthday or the day you brought them home, so it marks the time each year.
Gather the photos
In the weeks after a loss, it can help to go through your photos and choose the ones that most look like them. Print a few, make a small album, or ask friends and family to share theirs. You may find pictures you had forgotten.
A portrait from a favourite photo
A portrait made from a photo you love can hang where they used to sleep, or in the room where you spent the most time together. Any of our designs can be made as a memorial portrait, with their name and, if you would like, the years they were with you, set beneath the portrait. If the only photo you have is old or not quite sharp, send us the best one: we tell you honestly when we send your proof, before anything is printed.
Write it down
A letter to your dog, a list of the things they did that made you laugh, or the story of the day you met. Writing helps many people, and children often find it easier to draw.
Give in their name
A donation to a rescue or rehoming charity, or time volunteering with dogs who are waiting for a home, turns grief into something that helps another dog.
Talk to someone
Grief for a dog is real grief. If it feels heavy, the Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service offers free, confidential support by phone and email.