Unfortunately, we are often driven to memorialize our pets after they are no longer with us. These projects can be a wonderful blessing and a step forward in the grieving process, but they can also create a new heartache if that memory we wish to capture is no longer within our grasp.

When our girl Fergie died during surgery, our vet presented us with a kit that allowed us to take an imprint of her little feet. We were thankful for the opportunity to do this, but we were saddened that we hadn’t done it in a more happy time.

There are many kits available on the market for you to purchase that will help memorialize your pet. Here is a slide show of just a few items to help jump start those ideas.

Clays that cure when air dried or baked work great. Add colors, words, embed tags, collars, whatever your heart desires. Have fun with it.

We created our paw print memorials many years ago, and they have been displayed atop the fireplace. Recently, I decided to insert a cute ribbon through them, and hang them alongside the framed photos of our Pack.

Hope you’ve found some inspiration to make your own! Moments don’t last forever, but memories can if we seek to preserve them.

These make great gifts and can be used with holiday decorations or to add a special touch to an office.

Gather any ribbons or yarn that you might like to use as a hanger for the print.

When we made the print we poked a hole in the top with a wooden skewer. However, the hole wasn't quite big enough and needed cleaning up. A small file cleaned up the hole and made it smooth.

We got a great print from Grandbury, a few strands of his fur embedded too. We used the skewer to write his name and wrote the date on the back of the print. Stamps would work great too. You could glue a photo on the back or even embed a printed poem.

You may need to wrap the end of the ribbon in some tape to help ease the ribbon through the hole you've made.

Tie a bow and hang it on the wall, on a tree, or even in your office. I love the print displayed by Frosty's photo.

Tips for getting a great print:

* Choose a time when your dog is alert but not overly excited. Our guys were young and full of energy when we did these prints. We chose to get a print from them when they were in need of a nap and much more accepting of having their paw pressed into an unknown material. Treats helped.

* Don’t push so hard that you hurt your pet, especially on small animals like ferrets or cats. You need some pressure on the paw, but not a ton. You don’t want to break a nail or digit in the process.

* You don’t have to make just one, making multiple prints of your pet’s paw as they grow is a great idea.

* Follow all directions on the clay product you use.

* Experiment with paint or stains to color in your words or the actual prints.

* Clean up after your print making – don’t leave clay out for your pet to eat. Wash off your pet’s paw.

Links to Chew On:

• Pet Memorials on Bonanzle
• Frosty RIP
• Good Night Tristan

We said goodbye to our beloved Tristan today. Renal failure, the one battle he just couldn’t win. We were so blessed to experience your life and love for fifteen years, but fifteen years wasn’t long enough. Call us greedy, but we’d take more. Tristan, our beautiful boy, we love you.

Links to Chew On:

• Pet Loss Resources

We put together a “hand picked” list of items useful for anyone who has recently lost their companion animal or is preparing for the passing of their beloved. We’ve searched for items that are often hard to come by. The image of the list is linked to the hand picked list on Bonanzle where you can then click on the individual items offered by the sellers. Update: The list has expired and no longer valid. You’ll just have to scoot over to Bonanzle.

Links to Chew On:

• 24Paws Bonanzle Booth

Frosty, December 2008 ©24Paws

We’ve recently lost our boy Frosty to his long fought battle with cancer. He was an amazing dog who had an amazing will to live. The last year of his life was filled with heartache and happiness. A ruptured adrenal gland tumor and subsequent tumor growths blocking his urethra are a few of the cancerous obstacles that were placed in his path. He is missed every day. We will be posting a complete biography of Frosty soon. We will continue to post additional links to the Pet Loss & Grieving categories. Please feel free to suggest your favorites.

 Frosty was recently joined by the following well known beloved companions:

• Socks – the former “First Cat” of the Clinton family, and featured in the book “Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids’ Letters to the First Pets” by Hillary Rodham Clinton

• Loki - beloved dog of Oscar nominee Mickey Rourke

Congratulations to fellow Etsian, WickedWorld, who created this sweet necklace for Mickey to celebrate the life of Loki.

 Here is a sweet video of Socks 

Links to Chew On:

• Empty Link Bowl