4 Special Ways to Remember A Pet This Holiday Season
The holiday season is officially upon us, a time often celebrated with friends and family. However, for those who have recently lost a pet, the holidays can be a difficult time. There are many different ways that you can celebrate the lives of your loved ones and remember a pet this holiday season. Let’s take a look at a few suggestions for inspiration…
Whether it was sudden and unexpected, or your pet was sick, there is no ‘preparing’ for the loss of a loved one.
If you’re struggling with a loss this season, know that there are many of us in the pet community sending love your way.
In our society, there are many traditions and rituals designed to honour the humans in our lives that have passed.
Unfortunately, the same can’t be said when that loss is a pet.
The fact that there is no ‘standard routine’ to follow leaves many pet owners feeling lost with their grief, unsure of what to do next.
I’m here today to tell you that there are many different ways that you can honour your pet, especially during this holiday season.
It is important to note that there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution for grief.
The list below includes suggestions of 4 different ways that you can remember a pet this holiday season.
However, if you find that none of the suggestions feel ‘right’, that’s okay too!
Use this list for inspiration and then follow your heart. Only YOU will know what the right choice is for your grief.
Find something that brings you peace and you may even create a new holiday tradition.
Here Are 4 Ways You Can Remember A Pet This Holiday Season
Add A Memorial Ornament to Your Tree
There are a few different things that come to mind when someone talks about the holiday season… Santa Claus, snowmen, beautifully wrapped gifts, colourful light displays, and, of course, the tree!
Along with our standard holiday bobbles, my husband and I have a selection of meaningful ornaments that hang on our tree.
This includes ornaments relating to our wedding, our climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, and special ornaments remembering friends and loved ones.
Among these is an ornament featuring our sweet girl Chloe, a golden lab that went over the rainbow bridge in 2013.
There are many different styles of memorial ornaments available.
Some feature your pet’s picture, while others simply display their name or a special quote.
Memorial ornaments are a great holiday tradition, allowing you to reflect on the many special memories that you created together each year.
Make A Donation in Their Honour
Why not honour your pet by making a difference this holiday season? After all, it is the season of giving!
Is there a cause that holds special meaning for you and/or your pet?
We are major advocates for animal rescue in our house, with all 4 of our pets being rescued.
For this reason, we often make donations to local rescue organizations to make special times in our lives.
Every dollar has the power to make a big difference in the lives of defenseless animals across the country and around the world.
It’s a beautiful way to take that love that your pet gave you and pay it forward.
Unsure of where you would like to donate? Here are some great organizations to consider:
- Second Chance Animal Rescue of Windsor-Essex County
- Animal House Rescue, Ohio
- Shepherds Beyond Borders, Maine
- Street Cats Rescue, Barrie, Ontario
- Blind Dog Rescue Alliance, Pennsylvania
Related: ‘Stocking Stuffers for Pet Lovers: 20 Gifts Under $20‘
Gift Yourself A Special Reminder
No one said you can’t buy yourself a little something special this holiday season… Right?
Celebrate the life of your special pet this year by purchasing a treasured keepsake that you can hold onto for years to come.
The best part about purchasing a memorial keepsake is that it will be there for you anytime that you want to feel closer to your pet.
In talking to other pet owners, I have seen many different examples including stuffed animals, jewellery, memorial tattoos, garden sculptures, custom portraits, and more.
Anything can be a memorial keepsake if it holds an emotional meaning for you.
Torn between a couple of items? There is no rule stating that you have to settle for one.
Adopt A Pet
This suggestion is dependent on whether or not you are ready to open your heart again to another pet.
There is no right or wrong answer, no exact amount of time that you should wait.
Only YOU will know when you are ready to take this step.
That being said, if you are ready to bring a new pet into your life, this is a great way to honour a pet that you have lost.
They basked in your love and were given a great life, and I’m sure that they would love to know that another pet is now feeling that love and affection.
There are many incredible pets out there waiting on a furever home.
A new pet will never replace the pets you’ve loved in the past. Instead, they each find their own special spot in our hearts.
Related: ‘Find the Best Shelter Dog for Your Family by Following This Advice!‘
Most Importantly, Allow Yourself to Feel ALL of Your Emotions
Try to be patient with yourself. Grief is a challenging mix of emotions and every one of those emotions is 110% valid.
You have suffered a loss, it’s a difficult time.
If that means taking a day to cry it out, let those tears fall.
Try to make time for some much-needed self-care.
Whether it’s curling up with a good book in front of the fire, tea in hand, or running yourself a relaxing bubble bath – take care of YOU.
Your pet was a family member and holds a special part in your heart. The grief that you are feeling is real, it’s valid and it’s healthy to let it out.
The holiday season can be a busy time, but you need to prioritize your own well-being.
Take some time out for YOU and remember your pet in whatever way feels right.
Are you looking to remember a pet this holiday season?
If so, I would love to hear all about your loved ones and how you are looking to honour them in the comments below.
I think adopting another pet is a great idea! Whilst I know it can sound crazy to adopt another pet so soon after losing yours, I also think it’s a great distraction and way to fill the hole in your heart. My friend recently lost her pup and her parents came home with TWO more because they felt their house just wasn’t the same without one (and I guess they just fell in love with two!), and she is SO much happier – and very busy training and playing with two very energetic new puppies! I think it really helped her and was a great idea.
Everyone is on their own timeline, and for some people, that moves faster than others. We said goodbye to our beautiful lab Chloe in 2013 and after approximately a month, we realized that our house just wasn’t the same with only one dog. We’ve always had ‘his and hers’ dogs and my husband felt like something was missing (Chloe was his pup before we met). That’s when we started our search and brought home Indiana.
Great ideas on how to remember a former pet this holiday season! We don’t have any pets but I have several very close friends and family who do and their pets are definitely like family. So I could easily see A Memorial Ornament or a different type of memorial token like a picture frame or garden sculpture could easily help you remember them during this hard time.
They do become a special part of the family. Some people overlook the grief that a pet owner will feel because it’s ‘just a pet’ but to them, they are so much more!
it is a great post. I see how people live through that differently. it is painful. I am not into keeping a mementos, it makes me cry every time I see it. it is wonderful if people feel better after doing it
Everyone is different, it’s so important to remember that! These are some suggestions that may work for some people, but you have to find what will bring peace and joy to your life.
These are such lovely ways to remember a lost pet, I love the idea of making a donation in their honour to a charity x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
It’s such a beautiful way to pay forward the love that your pet blessed you with during your time together.
This is such an important post for those who’ve recently lost their beloved pets. My aunt’s dog passed away earlier this year and she’s actually purchased a custom memorial ornament from Amazon with a picture of when she first got him. Super lovely. It’s such a hard thing to deal with when you lose your furbabies, but there’s options to keep them in your heart. Thank you for sharing.
I am a huge fan of the memorial ornament idea. I love setting up our tree because we have ornaments marking the celebrations (weddings, etc.) as well as memorializing those that we wish were with us. It’s a beautiful way to bring everything together.
All of these are such lovely ideas. It’s heartbreaking to lose a pet but it is so nice to have a way to remember them.
It’s never easy to lose a pet, and they never leave us. That’s why it’s so important to allow ourselves the chance to grieve in whatever way we need to.
These are really great ways to remember your pet’s during the holiday season. My little sister grew up with our family dog and even though he’s far from it, she dreads the day in which he passes away. He’s almost an old man. So I did a DIY with her and our dog’s paw so she can have his paw print forever.
My heart goes out to anyone who’s lost their fur-friend this year <3
wildrosehealer.com
Unfortunately, with senior pets around our house, that’s a reality that we have started to accept. We are making the most of every day, trying to create not only memories, but also keepsakes that will stay with us to remind us of these good times.
Memorial ornaments and little things like necklaces and beautiful photos are what keep the memories of our loved ones in mind. I love that you suggest adopting a pet here; we have so much room to love and make new connections, even after loss.
Thank you for sharing!
We had a hard time knowing what we wanted to do to honour our girl Chloe after she crossed the rainbow bridge. However, it didn’t take too long before we realized that she would want nothing more than to know that we rescued another dog and gave it a great life just like we did for her.
It is always hard when a pet passes away. I had a cat who passed away earlier this year and I still miss him a ton. Love that there are ways to remember a pet! Having a special made ornament is so sweet. I like the idea of making a donation. There are so many animals out in shelters that would need the extra help. Having a neat jewelry made is never a bad idea either. It is always okay to feel emotions when you think about your pet. Thanks for sharing this!
Nancy ✨
Unfortunately, a lot of the rescues are struggling this year. They usually rely on fundraising events to help cover costs, but that has been nixed in the wake of the pandemic. Every little bit helps!
Lovely post, and great ideas. My cat Tigger passed away years ago around Christmas time and I have memorial ornament in his memory on my tree 🙂
It’s such a beautiful way to reflect during the holiday season, isn’t it?
This is a touching and thoughtful post. Pets are truly unforgettable in our hearts. Honouring them with a memorial is well in order. Your options are good to consider.
Thank you! They are always with us, aren’t they?
Ah, Britt, this was such a lovely post. I’m missing my old boy, Jester, very much this Christmas. He went OTR in September 2019 but for some reason this Christmas is much harder than last year. These are lovely suggestions. I think I’ll look into the memorial ornament, thank you.
I love being able to reflect each year as we hang our memorial ornaments. It helps us feel like they are still here with us during the holiday season.
This is such an important topic. I have many friends who have lost a pet, and it definitely hits everyone hard. I have actually had special ornaments made for a few of them that they can hang on their tree each year. It really is something special for them. I love that you ended this post with letting those who have lost a pet know that they should let themselves feel all emotions.–That is so very important when coping, and experiencing any loss. Thank you Britt.
There are a lot of people that haven’t experienced the bond that pet owners share with their pets. They don’t understand how much it hurts, making the typical comments like ‘it’s just a dog’. It’s important to recognize that while someone else may not understand your emotions, they are totally valid.
How thoughtful this post is. Remembering a pet today because of this
Thank you!
What a wonderful post. While my one and only pet (dog) died many decades ago (when I was a teenager) and I still remember him often (in my forties now) it never occurred to me to do something tangible to remember him by,
We never forget them. I understand that all too well. I still remember the pets from my past. Each holds a special place in my heart and will continue to for the rest of my life.
I love the idea of a custom ornament for the Christmas tree to honor both people and pets. This may be something I look into for the next year. One of my favorite (depending on emotions) things is looking at memories on Facebook each day and seeing pics my husband and I would post of our cat. I knew that adopting another cat wasn’t an option because my surviving cat was/is older and another cat would not be a good idea for him. He became our only pet, and will stay that way until he is gone. The orange turd is pretty happy being the only pet these days too. Lol.
I love going through the old FB memories too (depending on how I’m feeling at the time). It’s a great way to reflect.
It is so important to remember and let yourself grieve. The idea of an ornament is so nice.
There are so many great options out there too!
I had a pet dog once upon a time and these are really great for remembering them, honouring them.
They stay with us long after they are technically gone, don’t they.
I always look forward to what next from you. Ours was a home which during childhood was always full of pets. And more than one always. Dog,Rabbit,Parrot, ducks, a small poultry, cows, goats. And each of them with a funny name decided by my sister. Happily look back as our current home has none because it’s too cramped for space for another member. Sad but true.
I had a short period during University where I was living without any pets. I am definitely glad that we were able to find a place that would allow us to welcome pets back into our house. They are such a special part of our family.
I love the Christmas ornament idea, especially as you can bring it out year after year. Losing a pet isn’t easy at all, they become such an important part of the family, creating some beautiful memories along the way, these ideas are the perfect way to remember them. I love your ideas.
Thank you! I love decorating our tree because the meaningful ornaments make it such a special experience, going through each and reflecting on what they mean. Moving forward, I’m sure we’ll continue to purchase memorial ornaments for each of our pets.
Awww so many cute ideas. It’s important to remember to show our love too.
They are such an important part of our lives. It only makes sense to want to honour and remember them after we have said goodbye.
Memories of our beloved pets can never be forgotten. Every pet has a special place in our hearts and these are all great ways to celebrate our memories with them.
This is so true. Looking back at the pets that have come into our lives over the years, our love for them will never fade.
Some pets are closer and more loyal than some people so I can see how losing one can make someone grieve. People grieve differently– that’s true but I think for some, getting a replacement may be of great help.
We adopted Indy pretty quickly after having to say goodbye to our lab, Chloe. It was only approximately a month later that he came to live with us. However, that’s what we needed in order to work through our grief. We know that she would want us to share our love and affection with another pup in need.
What lovely ideas! I bet some of these gifts would bring tears on Christmas morning!
Rosie
They definitely carry some special memories and emotions, don’t they?
Great tips! Losing a pet is not easy, especially during holidays when you want to shower them with hugs and spoil them with treats. I think making a donation is a great idea, so as adopting a pet! We can’t bring them back but we can sure share our love to as many dogs as possible!
I am a firm believer that the pets that we have had in the past would want exactly that – for us to continue to show that love and affection to other pets in need.