Whether furry, finned, feathered or otherwise, we form a strong bond with our pets from the moment they enter our homes. They add structure to our day, keep us active and even provide a sense of meaning and purpose to our lives. However, we rarely spare a thought about what happens once these friends pass away.

For this reason, we at Village Vets have partnered with Pawprints Cremations to give bereaved pet owners peace of mind while they come to terms with the loss of their beloved pet. In addition to providing dignified and respectful cremation services, we’ve compiled tons of advice for owners struggling with the loss of a pet.

To begin with, there are many amazing things you can do to immortalise the memory of a friend no longer around. Things like:

• Eternalise your pet’s memory: If you decide to cremate your pet, their ashes can be eternalised in a variety of ways. While Pawprints Cremations offer traditional urns, caskets and scatter tubes, owners can also opt to keep their pet close to their heart with discrete memorial jewelry. Another touching keepsake to consider is a framed paw print to remind you of your beloved friend.
• Get a memorial tattoo: For tattoo enthusiasts, getting a memorial tattoo is the ultimate way to help the healing process. Whether it’s a picture of your pooch or its favourite chew toy, their memory will live on forever on your skin, no less. It doesn’t have to be a full arm-sleeve; less is often more!
• Create an outdoor memorial: Set aside a peaceful part of your garden to create a dedicated memorial to heal at. This might be as simple as installing an engraved memorial stone with your pet’s name by their favourite tree, or planting a beautiful forget-me-not memorial by mixing your pet’s ashes with seeds and letting their memory flourish with every passing Spring.
• Compile a photo album or scrapbook: Create a photo album or video tribute of you, your pet and your family. It will help make a legacy to celebrate their life, encourage laughter about the funny moments and help you to grieve. There are also tonnes of websites available that can turn your pictures into beautiful canvas prints, ideal for hanging on the walls of your home.
• Donate to an animal charity: Why not honor your pet by making a donation to one of Ireland’s many amazing animal welfare charities, such as the DSPCA? Most organisations accept financial contributions online, either as a one-time donation or a recurring gift, and you can often donate in memory of your beloved companion.
• Host a charity walk or climb in memory of your pet: Following on from the point above, sponsoring yourself to raise funds in your pet’s name is a great way to memorialise your pet and raise money for vital causes such as Guide Dogs Ireland. You’ll need to go through the proper channels, of course, but if done correctly it could become a yearly endeavour!
• Adopt: Often the best way of all to memorialise a pet is to take the next step and bring a new animal into your family, especially one in need of a home. Adopting after a pet has passed can feel like you are trying to replace a cherished friend, so don’t feel guilty for taking your time to grieve before you feel ready to move on.

However you decide to remember your pet, know that as long as it helps ease the grief of their passing it isn’t such a bad idea. In any case, we at Village Vets and Pawprints Cremations are always on hand for a chat or for advice.