How Should You Take Care of Your Pet When the Time Comes?
“You cannot share your life with a dog or a cat and not know perfectly well that animals have personalities and minds and feelings.”
– Dr Jane Goodall (janegoodall.org)
We’ve shared this quote before, and we’ll share it again — because at Pet Divine, we believe it speaks the truth.
Once you’ve lived with a pet, you know they are not just a dog, cat, rabbit, or bird. They’re your companion, your shadow, your confidant. They have unique quirks, preferences, and personalities that shape your daily life.
And when that life comes to an end, their absence is felt deeply.
Saying Goodbye: The Final Act of Love
When the time comes, saying goodbye is one of the hardest — yet most loving — decisions a pet owner can make. While the grief can be overwhelming, how you remember your pet can become a healing part of that journey.
There is no one-size-fits-all. The right way to remember your pet is the way that feels right to you.
Ways of Remembering Your Pet
Over time, pet owners have found many heartfelt ways to honour the life of a beloved companion. Some ideas are personal and simple, others more permanent or ceremonial. Here are a few to consider:
🕯️ Memorialisation Options:
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Cremation – With ashes returned in an urn or used in memorial keepsakes
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Burial – At home or in a pet cemetery, offering a dedicated place to visit
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Taxidermy – For those who wish to preserve a visual presence
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Digital Tributes – Create an online memorial with stories, photos, and guestbook messages
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Photography or Portraits – Commission a painting or frame a favourite photo
🐾 Personal Keepsakes:
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Pawprints or nose prints, taken in ink or clay
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Locks of fur saved in jars, frames, or jewellery
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Ashes incorporated into jewellery, glass art, or decorative pieces
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Custom memorial jewellery, available via our shop
🌿 Simple, Living Reminders
Sometimes the most touching ideas are the simplest. We shared a favourite in this Facebook post: repurposing your pet’s water bowl as a plant pot. A blooming flower or vibrant herb growing in their bowl becomes a daily visual of life continuing — and of the love that remains.
You can also:
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Plant a tree or shrub in their memory
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Create a small garden memorial corner
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Place their collar or tag in a memory box
Take Time, Take Heart
Grieving is not linear. Some people take comfort in immediate memorialisation. Others need weeks or even months before they feel ready. There is no “right” way — only your way.
Whatever you choose, know that remembering your pet with love and care can become a powerful step toward healing.
At Pet Divine, we’re here to support that journey — with tribute tools, memorial keepsakes, and a compassionate community that understands.
