At home
- Frame the collar and a favorite photo together in a shadow box.
- Make a clay or ink paw print, if you still have the chance. Many vets offer this.
- Print a photo book of ordinary days, not only the posed shots.
- Have a pillow or a small blanket made from photos or their old bed.
- Save a short video with the sounds they made. It's often what people miss first.
Outdoors
- Plant a tree or a rose bush where they liked to lie in the sun.
- Place a stone or a plaque in the yard, with their name and dates.
- Scatter ashes on their favorite walk, after checking the rules for that land. Parks and private land often have their own.
- Put a bench or a bird feeder where you can see the spot they guarded.
- Walk their usual route on their birthday.
With family and kids
- Have everyone write a letter to them, including the kids. A drawing counts.
- Collect the photos and videos from everyone's phones before they get lost.
- Share your favorite stories over dinner, and write them down.
- Make a memorial page the whole family can add to, with a QR code you can share with anyone who knew them.
For other dogs
- Donate their leftover food, beds and toys to a shelter.
- Give to a rescue on the day of their adoption each year.
- Volunteer to walk shelter dogs when you feel ready.
What to give someone whose dog has died
A specific memory matters more than the gift. If you knew the dog, write down something only you would know: how they greeted you, what they stole from your plate. Then, if you'd like to add something:
- A framed photo of the dog, especially one the owner may not have
- A donation to a shelter or rescue in the dog's name
- A meal or a coffee, and an offer to help clear away the bowls and beds
- A plant or a small tree for the yard
- A note on the anniversary, when most people have stopped asking
Try to avoid telling them they can get another dog.
If you want one place for all of it
LifeRepeat is a page for your dog's photos, videos and the letters your family writes. Friends can add what they have, and you decide what goes up. Creating a page is free.
Common questions
A handwritten note with a specific memory of their dog means the most. If you want to give something more, a framed photo, a donation to a shelter in the dog's name, or a meal all work well.
Many people frame it in a shadow box with a photo, hang it where the leash used to go, or keep it with the urn. Some attach the tag to a keychain.
It depends on where you live, since rules vary by state and city, and some areas restrict it. Check your local rules first. If you rent or might move, a pet cemetery or cremation may suit you better.
Last updated November 4, 2026.
