National Pet Memorial Day is observed on the second Sunday of September—a dedicated time to pause, remember, and celebrate the animals who shared our lives.
When a pet dies, figuring out how to honor their life is one of the hardest parts. It can be tough to know what feels right when you're still adjusting to life without them.
Most conventional advice points straight to an urn or ash-based keepsakes. But keeping ashes on a shelf or wearing them in a pendant isn't the right fit for everyone. If an urn feels uncomfortable to you, there's no reason to force it.
Here are a few beautiful, gentle ways to honor your best friend.
Make an Inkless Paw Print
If your pet is getting older, or if you're keeping a quiet vigil during their final days, you can capture their print without creating a mess or stressing them out.
Craft stores sell inkless contact-pressure transfer kits for around $10. All you have to do is place a special card over paper, press their paw against the back, and the print transfers directly to the sheet without any ink ever touching their fur.
If you'd rather not handle it yourself, many specialty veterinary hospitals and emergency clinics (like BluePearl) will create a paper print or clay impression for you during end-of-life care. You can frame the print, keep it in a memory box, or take the outline to a tattoo artist later on.
Create a Living Space (or Visit a Pet Cemetery)
If your dog had a favorite corner of the lawn, or your cat loved watching the yard from a low patio wall, mark that space. You can place a flat river stone there, set up a small garden bench, or plant a flowering perennial.
If you don't own your home or prefer a dedicated resting place outside of your yard, look into local pet cemeteries. Burying your pet in a pet cemetery gives you a quiet space to visit, lay flowers, and reflect.
Wear a Subtle Everyday Keepsake
Many pet parents want a piece of jewelry to remember their dog or cat, but feel hesitant about urn pendants. You shouldn't have to wear something heavy, and you shouldn't feel forced to explain your grief to a stranger at the grocery store just because they noticed your necklace.
We designed the Penthouse Paws jewelry collection for this exact reason. Instead of ash chambers or bulky tags, we created simple, well-crafted pieces in sterling silver and 14K gold that look like regular, beautiful jewelry.
Our Paw Heart Pendant Necklace, for example, features a silver heart with a small paw print that rests over your collarbone. If you want something lightweight you never have to take off (even in the shower), our 14K Gold Paw Print Stud Earrings use secure screw backs so they stay put.
If you prefer honoring your specific dog or cat without a paw print, subtle silhouettes like the Cat Love Silver Chain Necklace or Dog Love Silver Chain Necklace offer a quiet nod to the best friend you lost.
Commission a Personal Portrait
If you want something special for your home, having an artist paint or draw your pet is a sweet option. You can send a photo from your phone to an independent artist on Etsy or Instagram, and they can turn it into a watercolor painting or line drawing to hang on your wall.
Grief takes as long as it takes, and there's no single way to remember a pet. Whatever helps you hold onto their memory and brings you a little peace is the right choice for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I remember my pet without keeping ashes
There are many ways to honor a pet without an urn. Common options include making an inkless paw print, planting a garden tribute, burying them in a pet cemetery, or wearing non-ash memorial jewelry. Other pet owners choose to create a memory box with their collar and leash, make a donation to an animal shelter, or host a small gathering with friends and family.
Can you make a paw print without using ink?
Yes, contact-pressure print kits use a special transfer card that sits between the paper and your pet's foot. When you press their paw against the top layer, the print transfers onto the paper underneath.
What is the difference between cremation jewelry and pet remembrance jewelry?
Cremation jewelry contains a hollow chamber or resin core designed to hold physical ashes or fur. Everyday pet remembrance jewelry, like the sterling silver and 14K gold pieces from Penthouse Paws, features classic designs (such as paw prints or silhouettes) that honor your pet symbolically without holding remains or looking like traditional mourning jewelry.