Pet ownership welcomes you into a world of unwavering companionship. Once you start sharing your life with a four-legged animal, you’re showered with unconditional love and offered immeasurable emotional support.
However, this happiness is often short-lived for pet parents. The lifespan of your four-legged friend isn’t long. Pets– cats or dogs– live for no more than 10 to 14 years. Sooner or later, you will have to bid farewell to your furry friend, and that’s heartbreaking. The pain of losing a pet is similar to that of losing a family member.
While there isn’t much that you can do to lessen the pain of losing your furry companion, you can honor it by creating a memorial garden. Here, we’ll share a few creative memorial garden ideas to help you get started.
#1 Plant a Tree or Flowers
A memorial garden is incomplete without trees or flowers, so it should be the first addition to your backyard. There is no hard-and-fast rule as to what you should plant in memory of your loving pet. You can plant any tree or flower you want. A good idea, however, will be to choose a low-maintenance plant. That way, you won’t have to spend too much time tending to it.
Opt for a magnolia tree, for magnolias symbolize love and purity. Crepe myrtle will also be an excellent option. It produces beautiful inflorescence, i.e., a cluster of flowers. Those blossoms will always remind you of your beloved pet.
Another plus point of these two plants is that they are pet-safe. They won’t harm other pets at home, so you can go for them without worry. Just make it a point to avoid lilies, sago palms, marijuana, and castor beans, as they are toxic to pets.
#2 Opt for a Pet Urn
Not every pet parent is fortunate enough to have a large lawn to set aside a specific space for a memorial garden. If you’re short of space, consider opting for a pet urn.
A container where you can store your deceased furry companion’s ashes is called a pet urn. Pet parents opt for urns because they stand as a symbol of love as well as the bond shared with their furry friend.
A pet urn, Legacy Urns remarks, serves as a poignant tribute to honor the memory of beloved pets who have crossed the rainbow bridge as well as cherish them. These containers allow them to keep their four-legged friend’s ashes close to them. You must opt for it if you have cremated your furry friend.
There is no dearth of options when it comes to choosing urns for memorializing your pet. Metal, wooden, and marble, to name a few, are popular options.
However, our advice would be to go for stone urns because they exude timeless beauty and elegance. Timeless stone urns are resistant to weathering and decaying. Plus, these are aesthetically pleasing, so they will add a decorative touch to your lawn.
Another benefit of stone urns is that they are customizable. You can personalize them by adding your pet’s name, year and date of passing, and a heartfelt message. Unlike other options, stone is a relatively low-maintenance material. Occasional cleaning will keep the urn looking pristine.
#3 Add a Customized Pet Statue
Animal statues have forever been used to enhance outdoor areas. Wouldn’t adding one to your pet memorial garden instill life into it? You can commemorate your beloved pet by adding its statue to your backyard.
Plenty of customization options are available. You can get a statue made of concrete, cement, resin, or concrete, whichever material you find the most appealing. However, opting for cement or concrete would be wise. These two materials are relatively easy on the pocket and are sturdy enough to withstand the natural elements.
Etsy is a good starting point for scouring the available options. Once you decide on the material, size, and design, you can get a statue customized by professionals.
To sum things up, creating a memorial garden is a simple yet meaningful way to acknowledge and celebrate the life of your beloved pet who passed away.
Whether you add a plant or flower or your pet’s statue to your pet’s memorial garden, honoring your deceased furry friend’s memory can bring solace and comfort during times of grief.
Adding wind chimes and a water feature, creating a seating area, and lighting a candle are other ways to decorate your pet’s memorial garden. If your deceased furry friend is buried in your backyard, embed a headstone over its final resting place to honor it.
Creating a pet memorial garden doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor. Add whatever you want. Just remember that it’s a space you will revisit whenever you desire to. Therefore, you should design it such that it makes you happy.
