| You are normal to grieve the loss of a pet. Pet | | | | local shelter. |
| loss may be an even more difficult process than | | | | If you decide to purchase a cremation urn for |
| grieving for a human loved one. Your support | | | | your pet, are you keeping it in the home? What's |
| network of understanding and caring people may | | | | your style or favorite color? Cat and dog urns are |
| be smaller. Friends, family, co-workers, etc., tend | | | | available in wood, metal, marble, stone, or |
| to be more sympathetic of a human loss of life. | | | | personalized photo pet urns. |
| They may send cards, flowers, and offer food | | | | When selecting a pet urn, consider the size of |
| and companionship. This is often not the case | | | | your pet. Crematory pet urns are measured in |
| when a pet dies. | | | | cubic inch capacity and an easy rule to use is one |
| The death of a pet friend is difficult enough to | | | | cubic inch equals one pound of body weight. An |
| bear; and in some cases, the whereabouts or | | | | example would be an 80 cubic inch urn will hold up |
| cause of death of the pet is unknown. In these | | | | to an 80 pound pet. |
| situations, there is seldom any 'closure'. You don't | | | | Pet-owners that have several pets in the house |
| know if the pet has died or is lost. As a result, | | | | may notice that the departed pets companions |
| when to stop searching and when to start the | | | | are grieving as well and this may last for a couple |
| grieving process is blurred. Sometimes there may | | | | of weeks. |
| also be added guilt associated with this type of | | | | Should you get another pet? The choice is a |
| loss. | | | | personal one. You'll know when you are ready. |
| Doing something positive during this time of | | | | Some people may want to find a new pet |
| sadness can ease the grieving process by | | | | immediately. Sometimes, unrealistic expectations |
| celebrating the life of the pet. Whether you've | | | | may be placed on the new pet, especially if the |
| selected pet cremation, burial, or just want to | | | | individual is getting a young, rambunctious animal |
| work through the loss of your dog or cat, you | | | | after an older, mature pet has died. Other |
| have an advantage in creating a lasting tribute to | | | | individuals may need longer to work through their |
| your special friend. | | | | grief before they are physically and emotionally |
| Activities which may help include: | | | | ready for another pet. In either case, you are not |
| - Memorializing your pet in a personalized urn to | | | | replacing your pet, but finding another companion |
| honor the memory. | | | | to enjoy life with. Some people may find that it's |
| - Placing a portion of the ashes or fur in a pet | | | | just not possible to have another pet. |
| cremation jewelry urn. | | | | Grieving the loss of a pet is a process that takes |
| - Planting flowers or a tree in memory of the pet. | | | | time and everyone deals with the situation |
| - Placing a personalized pet memorial garden | | | | differently. Whatever you may be going through, |
| stone, stepping stone, or tree dedication marker | | | | there are resources available that can help you |
| in honor of the pet. | | | | work through this difficult and painful time, as well |
| - Holding a funeral or memorial service. | | | | as help you create a lasting memorial with a |
| - Creating a memorial photo album or scrap book; | | | | crematory pet urn, pet burial urn, urn photo, or |
| perhaps simply framing a photograph. | | | | urn jewelry to honor the time and life you spend |
| - Making a charitable donation or volunteering at a | | | | with your pet. |