Grief is a complicated emotion, and sometimes the best way to show your sympathy is by giving a thoughtful gift. If your friend or family member recently lost a pet, or has a furry friend with a terminal illness, consider the following gifts to remind them how much you care.

A Guide to Thoughtful Gifts After the Loss of a Pet

1. Christmas Ornament 

The holidays can be particularly difficult for anyone who’s recently lost a pet, but with a Christmas ornament, you can keep their memory close to the celebration and your heart. This gift will be even more fitting for the situation if your loved one’s pet liked to “help” with decorating the tree each year.

 

2. Pet Plaque 

To capture an authentic photo of your loved one’s pet, consider the Simply Perfect Plaque from Patty-Cakes of St. Louis  

  

3. Photo Pendant 

Photo pendants are easy to make and provide a beautiful keepsake your friend can keep with them always. Buy a clear glass or plastic pendant circle from a craft store and print a photo of the pet that’s small enough to fit the pendant. Place the circle on top of the photograph and trace the outline of the circle with a razor blade. Then, use acid-free craft glue to stick the photograph beneath the pendant. After it’s finished, you can attach metal backing to create a necklace, pin, collar stay, cuff links, or earrings.

4. Shadow Box

A shadow box is an elegant way to display mementos and allow for endless opportunities to customize your gift. Shadow boxes are typically wooden and can hold a picture, collar, paw casting, or other artifact mounted against subdued, black velvet. A pane of glass is usually positioned across the front of the box to protect items from dust, and many creators add a metal plate on the side to engrave the pet’s name.
 

Once you welcome a pet into your family, it’s devastating when they pass away. If your friend or relative is grieving the loss of their pet, ease their sadness with a gift to show you’re thinking of them. St. Louis Patty-Cakes creates one-of-a-kind bronze-cast pawprints using on-site impressions. To make an appointment for a house visit in St. Louis, MO, call (855) 785-7288. Also, visit their website to learn more about their novelty gifts, including holiday ornaments, shadow boxes, paperweights, and plaques.