Here are several ways you can honor your lost companion during the holidays this year.
1. Make a photo Christmas ornament. Here's a YouTube video on how you can make a round photo ornament. The video is complete with Christmas music!
2. Make a donation to your favorite animal shelter or other charity in your pet's name. Alternatively, you could sponsor shelter cat or dog waiting for their forever home.
3. Make a photo album or scrapbook of your pet. You can even design a customized photo book online through sites like Shutterfly.
4. Get a professional portrait done of your lost pet. When Jewel went over the Rainbow Bridge, Alana from Cat in the Fridge did a beautiful portrait of her and sent it to me. Her thoughtfulness touched me deeply, and I will always treasure the portrait she created for me.
5. Wear memorial or cremation jewelry. This may help you feel closer to your lost companion.
7. Light a rememberance candle during the holiday dinner and/or use your pet's name in the meal's blessing.
8. Set aside some special time to think about the good times you and your pet shared.
9. Plant a tree or flower garden to serve as a living memorial to your pet. You can place a stone with your pet's name on it near the tree or in the garden as well.
10. Decorate a holiday wreath with photos of your lost companion. You can add some of his or her favorite toys and bags of treats to the wreath as well.
How have you remembered a beloved companion during the holidays?
My human moves on from the past - not because she is cold but because it is too hard on her to remember. She is glad this year is coming to an end.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard during the holidays but I like to remember all the good times. One of my animals had to go to the bridge 4 days before Christmas and that was hard. She was such a great cat. Take care.
ReplyDeleteWe are so sorry, Marg. That must have been so hard! ::hugs::
DeleteThose are great ways to remember a pet that has gone on to the Bridge. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat ways to honor their memory. Mom has done special scrapbook albums for each of her kitties that have run off to the Bridge and likes to look at them.
ReplyDeleteThat is very sweet! I am thinking of making a book for Jewel, too.
DeleteThanks for this list. I lost two of my ratties this year and it still makes me pretty sad thinking that they aren't around any more. I love the idea of making a photo Christmas ornament or getting a professional portrait done.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your loss. I hope you can find some comfort in the good memories you have. Take time for yourself this holiday season.
DeleteWe have photos of Mom's last dog around the house all the time, but at Christmas, Mom hauls out Trine's photo with Santa Claus and puts it in the living room. She is always with us.
ReplyDeleteAwww, that is very sweet. :)
DeleteThose are all good ways to honour the memory of a beloved animal companion. Lots of hugs and purrs to you this season!
ReplyDeleteEvery year I hear the story of how ma's dog Hank would open his own presents, know which one was his and how he was the life of the pawty. He sure left the world with a lot of stories in his 16 yrs of life.
ReplyDeleteWe like your ideas. Last year, a co-worker gave us a cat Christmas ornament right after we found Tucker. I put it on the tree this year to honor his memory.
ReplyDeleteThat was sweet of your co-worker. I know you miss him. ::hugs::
DeleteThose are all such wonderful ways to remember. Last Christmas was my first without Angel Tara and it was very hard, but having it be Truffles' first Christmas certainly helped as well. Your card featuring Jewel is just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteAwww, Melissa. I'm so glad Truffles has been able to provide you with some comfort!
DeleteThese are all great ideas. I esp. like the tree idea so they will always be with you.
ReplyDeleteMy cat Edison ran away in July 2013. I STILL cry over him. I don't know if he's dead or alive. He always loved to be outside and he ran away 3 days after we moved into our new home. A feral litter of kittens was born right down the street when we moved and I truly believe he went to be with them - he was always a "social worker cat." Anyways, I still grieve his loss but I have photos of him all over my house. I even have a special Christmas display for him. It never gets easier but I am happy I have so many pictures and memories.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear this. I'm glad that you have memories and photos to take comfort in.
DeleteWe just like to talk about the things we remember...well, the peeps do.
ReplyDeleteWe do not furget the angel furs we have, but we just like to remember them as precious heart thoughts to have furevfur.
There are ornaments of all the kitties and doggies past (and present) on our Christmas Tree.
ReplyDeleteThat is so sweet, Brian! :)
DeleteAwww. Every year I get a bit teary eyed when I get out the stockings that include the pets who have now moved on to the bridge.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry. I don't think we will ever stop missing our lost fur babies. It's obvious that you loved yours very much.
DeleteWhat wonderful ideas. It's been almost 4 years since Sweet Praline left for the bridge, but she's still missed.
ReplyDeleteMy hoomins like to look at pictures and videos from when I lived with them. :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a poignant post and thanks for sharing. I formed Wigglebutt Warriors in her honor.
ReplyDeleteThese are such great suggestions. We miss our Kaeto so much at this time.
ReplyDeleteI especially appreciate this post and will consider using one of these options for my brother's recent loss of his dog Blue. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved your suggestions...several things I had never thought of doing. I have every collar and every ID tag from all our angel kitties. Maybe I could do a wreath with those. Thanks for the ideas. Hugs, Janet
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