 Pet Memorials & Grave Markers
Paying Tribute to a Beloved Pet
For those of us who have ever loved and lost a pet, whether that pet was a dog, cat, fish, bird or something a little less traditional, there is a period of mourning – just like with the loss of any other member of the family. We must think about what we are going to do with the body of our pet and how we want to remember him or her. Basically we have an option of cremation or burial. Whatever you decide to do with your beloved pet is a personal decision and there can never be a wrong one.
Many of us have our own Pet Cemetery either in the back yard or a memorial garden to honor our past pets. Finding a fitting grave stone or marker is a bittersweet challenge during our time of grieving. Over the years I have come across several styles and types of markers that are perfect for his or her memory.
Personally Engraved Natural Pennsylvania Bluestones
 The marker I use for all my pets who are buried in our pet cemetery and memorial garden is the Pennsylvania Bluestone. You could say it’s my favorite. It is made of natural bluestone quarried in Pennsylvania. The stone is cut into a thick slab (about 1½” thick) and the shape and edges are irregular. No two are alike. The stone is blasted away from the words and artwork so that they stand up – the opposite of traditional marble gravestones where the wording is engraved into the marble. The natural shapes and feel of the bluestone makes it the perfect marker for a garden or woodland environment.
There are literally hundreds of artwork designs from which to choose and several font choices so this stone is 100% customizable. Most every breed of dog has an image (or several) on file that can be used and there are several different sizes that allow the simplest of wording on the small stone to a short poem on the extra large stone. We even have the option of creating line artwork from a photograph of our pet.
 The image of your pet can be etched in stone. This option was perfect to capture the spirit of my own “Trouble”. He was a spunky little brat who lived up to his name. Although it cost a little more and I had to wait longer for it – his Pennsylvania Bluestone grave marker was so well worth it. It’s been several years since he died and every time I see his marker I still remember what a silly boy he was!
It takes between 2 to 4 weeks for personalized Pennsylvania bluestones that use stock artwork to ship. There is a rush option that will get your stone out the door within a day or two. If you choose to have special artwork from your own photo put onto the stone, however, it will take up to 13 weeks and there is no rush option available. BUT – I will tell you – the stones are definitely worth the wait!
Slate Grave Markers
 Some people prefer the traditional look of a grave marker. The marble head stones are extremely heavy and that makes it almost impossible to ship. We have slate grave markers that are thinner than marble but still have the traditional design.
The slate markers come in several shapes and designs. Some of them offer the addition of dog and cat artwork. They were designed for dogs and cats only. Choose from a couple of slate colors with either white, black or gold lettering. These take about 2 weeks to process and there are no rush options available.
Angel Statues
 Angels statues have always been found in cemeteries and we certainly have some very beautiful ones that can be placed in your pet cemetery as well as memorial garden. Massarelli, our favorite statuary manufacturer, also has a line of dog and cat angels. These make wonderful additions to the pet memorial garden and can be used as the marker for your dog or cat’s grave if you would prefer not to have a formal head stone. After all – you know what the angel represents. The statues are custom colored with your choice of finishes or you can have it come natural. It will take about 2 weeks for a finished statue to ship but you can get an unfinished piece shipped within a few business days.
Masserelli also offers many breeds of dog and cat statues. Choose from several different breeds of dogs or cats or, if your pet was a different kind of pet like a pot-bellied pig or squirrel, you’ll find statues for them. These are available in the same finish colors as the angels, unfinished or in a special “detail finish” that is more realistic.
The Keepsake Box
If you are like me, it’s hard to part with your pet’s favorite toy, collar and tags. Some people choose to bury the pet’s personal belongings with their pet but you might consider keeping them tucked away in a box so that you can visit them years later.
 One of my favorite boxes for this purpose is a Personalized Cherry Wood Keepsake Box. It’s big enough to fit many of the things you would want to place in them while having an attractive low-profile style that goes anywhere within the home. It’s also personalized with a couple of lines of custom text so you can have your pet’s name and either a small sentiment or birth and death dates engraved onto the metal plaque. The plaque is then placed on the box where you want it to go.
No matter what you decide to do or decide not to do to honor the memory of your pet the one thing that you must do is mourn for your loss. Even the most tough, rugged lumberjack-type fellow can be devastated by the loss of a beloved dog or cat companion. It’s okay to cry and it’s okay to take a break from your normal busy day to reflect on the love that you shared with your pet.
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Article: Memorials & Rememberances - Including a Lost Loved One in Your Life Today
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