Memorializing your pet is a way to help positively and lovingly keeping his or her memory close to your heart. There are a great number of ways to provide a record of your pet's life, some which are very modern and use technology while others are more traditional in nature and scope.

For dog owners that want to create a legacy for a beloved dog there are several options, depending on where you live or what you wish to do. Many dogs that have a specific talent or perhaps a special place they enjoyed walking or visiting are remembered by their owners by creating a space or event in honor of the dog. Many public parks and areas how offer families and individuals the options of placing memorials along walkways or in specific venues as commemorative markers. This leaves a lasting and practical way to remember your pet, one that will also be much appreciated by other dog owners. Within parks benches along walkways, drinking fountains and even fenced dog off leash areas can all be contributed or donated in the name of a pet. You may also be able to name a walking path after your dog or even donate a small piece of land or a building to be used as a dog training facility or a community dog park. Markers in brass, stone or even cement may also be an option to decorate different parks and natural spaces within some communities.

Another way to forever have a visual representation of your dog is to develop a series of pictures that chronicle your dog's life. There are several different options you can use to display the pictures including one of the many pre-made family photograph frames that include different areas for pictures to be displayed within one frame or perhaps a grouping of pictures for a wall display. Using puppy photos, photos of vacations or outings with the dog as well as your favorite pictures of your dog and the family is a very positive and beautiful option. Also very popular is scrapbooking, or creating a one of a kind personalized photograph album or book all about the dog and the family. Scrapbooking allows you to design and decorate each page, including adding text or other items to the book. Often dog's that have won prizes, awards or have been otherwise recognized in their lives have this type of memory book or scrapbook.

The internet provides several options for memorializing your beloved dog. You can always start a website about your dog and include pictures, information about the breed, ideas for training or even tips for dog owners. This also gives you the opportunity to blog or write about your dog, perhaps focusing on one aspect of his or her life or perhaps even helping other pet owners through their grieving process. If you don't want to start your own website consider blogging, writing or posting your dog's picture on another pet loss website. The Rainbow Bridge is one site that is dedicated to owners remembering their beloved pets as well as helping each other through the difficult issues of dealing with the loss of a pet.

If your dog loved being out in the yard or even around you when you were gardening there are several options to create a beautiful and practical memorial to your pet in the areas that you shared together. Companies make commemorative garden stones that can include a silhouette style image of your dog as well as his or her name, a short message or anything else you would like to have on the stone. You can also buy kits to make your own stones and inset a picture or image of the dog into the stone yourself. Another option is to create a planter or garden area in your dog's honor. You can add favorite flowers and even name your garden in memory of your dog.

Donating or setting up a fund in your dog's name that will be used to help pet friendly charities is a wonderful way to celebrate your dog's life. You can make an annual contribution to a rescue or shelter or even to groups that foster out dogs or care for dogs in emergency situations. Research facilities that help develop new treatments for dogs experiencing various health problems are also a great place to donate in your dog's memory. You may also want to work with existing donation groups to start a fund raising drive within your community to provide much needed donations to these facilities.

In some communities there are agencies that provide free vet care or vaccinations for pets that are found or rescued from abusive or neglectful situations. Volunteering to help these pets in need or to help people that simply don't have the funds to care for their pets due to some disaster or emergency is also a wonderful, loving and caring way to remember your pet and give to others.

Perhaps the most traditional yet still the most permanent way to remember your pet is provide a final resting place for your dog in a designated pet cemetery. Options range from a traditional grave and headstone to a memorial statue or mausoleum type enclosure for the dog. People may also choose to have their pet interred on their property or within a specific area of a family farm or homestead. Selecting the headstone, statue or other designated marker is a very personal decision for each person or family. Look into various options and possibilities before making a final decision and be sure you are getting exactly what you want.

Memorializing your pet is an important part of the grieving process but it is also a wonderful way to celebrate a live full of love, kindness and devotion. Remember that you don't have to make an immediate decision about how you wish to honor your dog's memory and it is never too late to start the process.

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