On Wednesday I revealed that my sister-in-law gave my husband and me a pet-themed gift as one of our wedding presents. Well, she gave us more than just the book on games to play with your dog. She also gave us a little kit for making paw print molds from our future cat and dog.
My sister-in-law knew we planned to adopt both a dog and a cat, so she included a gift that would work for either of them. She has three cats herself, so she also understands how deeply attached one can get to pets.
The packaging for the particular mold kit I received seems to imply that I should use it as a way to commemorate my pets. I take molds of their paws now, and then I have those molds forever after my pets pass away.
Personally I find that a little morbid. I don’t like the idea of doing something to or with my pets when the sole purpose is related to death. I think the whole thing would depress me far too much. Sure, I have pictures of my former pets that have died, but I took those pictures because I thought my cat was doing something cute; wanting them for after he died wasn’t on my mind at the time.
I’d be open to using the mold as a sort of craft project, one that could easily turn into a decoration for the wall. I think it would especially be fun to do with kids, though I’m sure adults skilled in crafts would have fun with it by themselves. I’d do so myself, but I don’t have a successful track record when it comes to crafts.
That’s how I want to view the mold, as a fun pet-themed craft project, no depressing premature thoughts of death necessary. But it did make me wonder: what sorts of things do people do to commemorate their pets?
I don’t even like to think about taxidermy; I think it’s creepy. Pictures are more my speed. For example, the framed photo montage of my childhood cat Boots my younger brother made for me for my birthday months after Boots died. That was nearly 10 years ago now, but I still hang it, one of the sweetest gifts I’ve ever received, on my wall.
I’ve also heard of people making quilts, putting together scrapbooks, and doing other sorts of crafty things. I can’t see myself doing those kinds of things, and not just because I’m clumsy when it comes to crafts.
I seem to shy away from pet commemoration, or at least, thinking about what I’d do for it. I don’t like dwelling on my pets’ mortality. I’d rather just focus on having them now, going with the flow, and taking tons of pictures to enjoy in both the present and future.
Is there something you do, or think you would do, to commemorate your pets?
Related Articles:
Eleven More Ways to Memorialize Your Pet
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Chocolate
Monday Layout Challenge: The Perils of Pet Ownership