We have spoken before about how keeping a diary or scrapbook of your memories can be very helpful in easing the transition from raw grief to some kind of acceptance. Such treasure troves of happier times can also provide great comfort when revisited in the months and years ahead, either on anniversaries or just when the need arises.
There are lots of ways you can record these special memories, and in this week’s blog we take a look at some ideas for memorialising your pet in words and pictures, rather than through physical markers such as stones and plaques.
Memory books
Scrapbooks and photo albums are widely available and come in all shapes and sizes, to suit all budgets. You can also make your own by collecting certificates, pictures and leaflets from favourite spots you may have visited together and storing them in a memory box or folder, or sticking into a diary or notebook.
Online remembrance pages
Many veterinary practices have a page on their websites dedicated to posts from clients who have lost much-loved pets. Check with your practice how you can upload images and words if so. You may also wish to create your own website in honour of your pet(s) – companies such as WordPress offer lots of templates to help you design a website for free, with hosting then typically costing just a few pounds per month.
The Ralph Site memorials
Our parent site, The Ralph Site, holds hundreds of memorials, with more being added every day. It’s free to add your own detailed entry, all you need to do is register with your name and email address (we promise that the information you provide is secure and confidential and will not be shared with any third party). Alternatively you can choose to register using your Facebook details.
Please be aware that on the first three anniversaries of your pet’s passing we may choose to feature your pet in our ‘on this day we especially remember’ Facebook post. Many pet carers have found the community support received when these anniversary posts are shared to be very comforting.
Facebook group
You might like to create a private memorial group for friends and family to share their memories and emotions:
- Click the option ‘Create Group’ beneath ‘Groups’ in the left sidebar of your Facebook page
- A popup window will appear, where you can name your group and add any members you want. You can also set privacy settings here.
- Click the ‘Create’ button
You can also post on The Ralph Site’s open-access Facebook page or join our members-only closed group by visiting this link and leaving a request to join.
However you choose to memorialise your pet, whether publically or privately, online or on paper, you’ll be taking positive steps along the healing journey. We wish you well.
Until next time, best wishes from Shailen and The Ralph Site team
The Ralph Site, non-profit pet loss support
Please note: The Ralph Site is not affiliated with the third-party organisations in any of the links shared here, and the views, ideas and suggestions expressed in this and other blogs are simply shared with the intention of helping you, our friends, take care of the special animals in your lives.