Pet memorials

I started making pet memorials several years ago.

All my life I've loved animals. Growing up in farm country we had a lot of pets, ranging from the usual dogs and cats, to hamsters, rabbits, sheep and ducks. My sister even had a pet chicken that would come and sit on the arm of her lawn chair.

One favorite was a donkey named Worthless (in the photo below he's wearing a bright orange hunting vest. We lived in the country and Worthless wasn't fond of staying in fences, so during hunting season he had to wear his orange vest).

We loved our pets! Yes, the pony was in the house. Our Mom was NOT pleased.

When one of our beloved pets died we'd bury it or call someone to take it away.

It always left me with a hole in my heart and no way to express it.

Then, years later, I had a wonderful cat.

She used to play tag with me. I'd be minding my own business and she'd rush over and bat me on the ankle, then she'd tear off with me after her.

Or, I'd wake up and peer over the side of the bed to find her staring at me. We'd stare at each other for a while, then she'd pounce. She always caught me by surprise.

When she died I was devastated. So, I collected some photos and other mementos and put them into a special box that I've kept to this day.

Since then I have lost other pets, some harder than others. But the ones I love the most get a special memorial box, or sometimes an urn for their ashes.

People who don't love animals don't always understand the grief pet owners go through when their dog, cat, or other pet dies. It doesn't matter what species, our non-human friends are essential to us.

Since I made my first pet memorial box I've been approached by others who have wanted a casket or coffin for burying their pet. Sometimes they want something to keep photos and other mementos in, other times they want an urn or box for pet ashes.

In all cases, it makes me feel good to think that the animal was loved.

Too many animals are abandoned each year because no one wants to give them a home. For that reason and to help put "puppy mills" out of business, I encourage anyone who is looking for a pet to consider a rescue animal.

Please spay and neuter your pets.