September is Pet Memorial month.
So on the last day of the month, I finally decided to write about it. Because it's not such an easy thing to write about.
It's kind of like the thing we least want to bring up in conversation. Whether we've gotten not so good news from our pet vet, or our animals are just aged, or an abrupt loss manifests itself, often we aren't ready to think and plan ahead, and like, say, our dogs, we live instead one day at a time.
Memorials
If you just do a google search on pet memorials, hundreds of different ways appear to remember your lost pet. From jewelry to stones to stained glass hanging pictures, there are many items that could help in the grief process.
Everyone is different. Everyone handles grief differently. Whatever item works to comfort you, you will know immediately when you see it.
In our house we construct pet memorial areas that usually consist of a framed photograph, a paw print, and some items associated with each pet. Below is an area created for our dogs, Danny and Piper, later joined by a memorial for our cat, Harry.
So on the last day of the month, I finally decided to write about it. Because it's not such an easy thing to write about.
It's kind of like the thing we least want to bring up in conversation. Whether we've gotten not so good news from our pet vet, or our animals are just aged, or an abrupt loss manifests itself, often we aren't ready to think and plan ahead, and like, say, our dogs, we live instead one day at a time.
Memorials
If you just do a google search on pet memorials, hundreds of different ways appear to remember your lost pet. From jewelry to stones to stained glass hanging pictures, there are many items that could help in the grief process.
Everyone is different. Everyone handles grief differently. Whatever item works to comfort you, you will know immediately when you see it.
In our house we construct pet memorial areas that usually consist of a framed photograph, a paw print, and some items associated with each pet. Below is an area created for our dogs, Danny and Piper, later joined by a memorial for our cat, Harry.
Memorials can include photos, collars, paw prints, etc.
On specific days, such as loss date, birthday, gotcha day, we burn a candle for the pet that was lost.
Candle memorial on memory days.
Memory Sessions
I am always thankful to the clients who think way ahead in the process, and seek to grab professional photos of their pets for memory purposes. As the saying goes: "You can NEVER have enough photos."
That is never more true than when you can't see, touch, hear, or interact with a lost pet. A good, framed portrait could act as the centerpiece for any loving memorial you construct.
While cell phone photos dominate our lives, that is a fragile environment. There is no guarantee that the cloud will be able to be accessed appropriately if you drop your cell phone and the screen goes forever dark. Trust me. I lived through it.
Being Proactive
Sometimes being proactive is hard. Personally, I am a procrastinator. Proactivity was a foreign world for me, until I became a photographer back in 2014. I suddenly realized exactly how important the printed image can be, and when I inherited all of the family historical photos after my Mom passed on, I realized the longevity and history of printed images brought the past full center, and all the feelings to go with them.
So, I encourage you, wherever you may be, to find a photographer who can help you get the memorialized images you need of your best friends and companions--your pets.
Below are a few lovely souls whose parents brought them to me to capture on brighter days, and who have now gone onward to wait for their masters to join them.
I am always thankful to the clients who think way ahead in the process, and seek to grab professional photos of their pets for memory purposes. As the saying goes: "You can NEVER have enough photos."
That is never more true than when you can't see, touch, hear, or interact with a lost pet. A good, framed portrait could act as the centerpiece for any loving memorial you construct.
While cell phone photos dominate our lives, that is a fragile environment. There is no guarantee that the cloud will be able to be accessed appropriately if you drop your cell phone and the screen goes forever dark. Trust me. I lived through it.
Being Proactive
Sometimes being proactive is hard. Personally, I am a procrastinator. Proactivity was a foreign world for me, until I became a photographer back in 2014. I suddenly realized exactly how important the printed image can be, and when I inherited all of the family historical photos after my Mom passed on, I realized the longevity and history of printed images brought the past full center, and all the feelings to go with them.
So, I encourage you, wherever you may be, to find a photographer who can help you get the memorialized images you need of your best friends and companions--your pets.
Below are a few lovely souls whose parents brought them to me to capture on brighter days, and who have now gone onward to wait for their masters to join them.
Memorial sessions are scheduled at your convenience, based on whatever timeframe you need to make it happen. My wish is that everyone who owns a pet, has a lasting image of them to carry forward.
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