In memoriam

It might sound morbid, but I have kept the ashes of every pet I have lost. I couldn't bear to part with them, but it's a bit impractical to have urns dotted all over the house. A friend mentioned that you can get jewellery, such as lockets, that contain the ashes securely, so you can always have them close but in a beautiful piece of jewellery. I've heard that ashes can be turned into diamonds, too, but imagine this is very costly. 
Have you come across any such jewellery?

Vicky Wiley, by email



Alison Logan, vet, advises…

It is not morbid. We are all different. I have clients who simply want their pets cremated anonymously because the memories live on, others who request individual cremation with return of ashes for scattering, burial or, like yourself, to keep in the house. We are all different.

There are certainly items of jewellery available. When our dear Pippin was put to sleep last January, we had her ashes back and have buried them with a Cox’s orange pippin tree beside them, and bulbs all round. The pet crematorium did offer a silver locket with a token amount of her ash inside which my daughter has and it did help her to come to terms with losing Pippin. Your veterinary practice should be able to advise on what the crematorium it uses can offer. There are so many other possibilities now as containers for the ashes such as candle holders and pieces of sculpture.

In memoriam

Please help,

My dog has been diagnosed with a left brain neuro focal lymphoma.

The vet has given him just a month or two to live. I want so badly to make this time special and to create memories and memorials of him but I am too overwhelmed with sadness to know where to begin.

What have others done to commemorate their dogs and what things should I be doing with him?

Allison, by email

Pam Burne-Jones, Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service (PBSS), advises…

First of all, Allison, we’re sorry to hear about your beloved dog. Receiving a terminal prognosis is always a shock and you will naturally be feeling overwhelmed at present. 

Do you have any special places you both like to visit? Perhaps go there, if you are able and take lots of photos and make the visit special – do the things he likes to do. Remember, he doesn’t know what’s ahead. Animals live in the present so what happens ‘now’ is what’s important to him. Someone facing a similar situation bought a heart shaped box and cards and wrote messages on them to her pet and aims to keep other special things in there too when her pet has passed; favourite toys, collar etc. This will be painful for you to do right now but in time you will have much to look back on. Blue Cross has a memorial site on which you can post a favourite photo and poem (www.bluecross.org.uk). 

It’s important at this time to do what’s right for you, Allison. Everyone is individual in how they react, but we hope these suggestions will help get you started.

The Pet Bereavement Support Service is run by pet charity Blue Cross. Call the support line on 0800 096 6606 (open seven days a week, 8.30am to 8.30pm) or email pbssmail@bluecross.org.uk.

Dear Allison,

I am so sorry to hear your news and wish you and your boy the very best at this horrible time.

You clearly care very much for your boy and I'm sure however you choose to spend his last days will be special for you both.

Dogs Today has a tributes page which runs every issue. You would be very welcome to send us a tribute to him which you would be able to keep forever. Readers often like to include a photo and a few words about their dog, and some include a poem, but it is up to you, it is your tribute.

If you would like to send one, please do email editorial@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk or write to us at Dogs Today, The Dog House, 4 Bonseys Lane, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8JJ

Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can help at all.

Very best wishes to you both,

Rachael Millar
Assistant editor, Dogs Today