Remembering your pet- Some ideas for those who love their pets.

[JoZ]

When my friend’s favorite dog died, I found a site that had memorial wind chimes. I think the only thing that was “memorial” about them was an engraved brass plaque on the top, but they were very pretty.

HERE’S THE THING THOUGH! I really hate most wind chimes. This website had a .wav file of the sound of the chimes, so I could play several of them. This particular set of chimes had the most beautiful melodic, melancholic sound. They hung in back of the barn until the winter when the windstorm blew them down and the record flood washed them away. If anyone is EVER looking at memorial wind chimes and visits a site that has the ability to “pre-hear” the tone, let me know!

[moonriverfarm]

I make Remembrance pillows, with a felt applique of the pet, complete with wings. I’ve given several to dog owners. I use vintage buttons and embroder things the dog loked, and the name. they are cute, and a nice way to memorialize a loved pet!

[Holly_Jeanne]

What I did

I’ve actually done a couple of things. When I lost my OTTB to EPM a few years ago, I had a Raku pot made with her hair. I’m having a second one made for the horse I bred, raised, and reluctantly sold in November (she wanted to jump and I wanted to do dressage). Last winter, a wonderful friend of mine gave me a gift certificate for a photoweaver throw. I liked it so much that two other wonderful friends gave me a gift certificate for a pillow. I couldn’t decide between two photos so sprang for a second pillow myself. So I now have all four of the horses I’ve owned as an adult on a throw or a pillow. All can be seen here:

http://s1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa371/alexandereliot/Memorials/

[CruisingforGold]

What a great thread! When we lost Merlin (our wonderful kitty who lived to age 21) and Batty (other great kit, age 19) we had them cremated but our wonderful vet donated $100 to the local humane society. My husband and I also had a tree donated in Merlin and Batty’s name through the state of Virginia’s sustainable forestry program.

I am enjoying all the ideas from this thread - thanks so much.

[smm20]

I’m planning to wire my cat’s bones back together. I’m going to mount her on a board with her favorite toy and her collar and use her for a teaching demo (and extra-credit begging deterrant).

My roommate at the time and co-owner of the cat opted for a more modest paw impression in clay.