Losing a cat that has been a part of the family for years is hard to say the least.  Large cat urns are a fitting way to pay tribute to your beloved pet; you want to do something that is special, and demonstrates the love and respect you have for your cat.  You may choose to simply burying a cat in the backyard, but pet urns are no longer simple wood or metal boxes.  Large cat urns are available today in a wide array of designs and materials, so you can memorialize your cat in a way that best represents their unique personality and life.

One exquisite example of the large cat urns available today is the Traditional Onyx Marbled Urn.  This urn is perfect for displaying on a shelf or anywhere you like; the swirled, colorful pattern consisting of burnt sienna, cream, soft green and black makes a beautiful addition to any room.  Since it is crafted of marble, it would also be suitable for outdoor use.

When your pet was a kitten, you likely had no idea how big it would be as an adult cat.  Some kittens grow up to be of average size, while others grow up to be a magnificent and almost regal looking because of their large size.  If your pet was bigger than the average size cat, you may be in search of large cat urns that are capable of holding the ashes of your beloved pet.  The Came, Purred, Conquered Rock Cat Urn is a suitable urn if you prefer to place your memorial outdoors, perhaps in a rock or flower garden, or in another area where your cat loved to relax and soak up the sunshine.

Many large cat urns are suitable for indoor or outdoor use; if your cat was more of a house cat, you may wish to create a display in their honor indoors.  This can be accomplished by simply surrounding the urn by his favorite toys and jewelry or keepsakes designed especially for pets.  If your pet preferred the outdoors, the perfect final resting place is in a favorite outdoor area.

From wood or resin to marble, glass or teakwood, there are large cat urns available today that will pay tribute to your pet in a loving, respectable manner.  At the same time, the styles, materials and designs allow you to choose something suitable for your own design and taste preferences.  Losing a cat is difficult and your cat was a special member of your family, a part of your life.  He deserves to be memorialized in a dignified, beautiful way.

by Sid Korpi, Animal Chaplain and author of Good Grief: Finding Peace After Pet Loss

In my work as an animal chaplain, I help people to prepare for, cope with and move on after pet loss. Often, the pain of this loss is so acute, some people swear they will never again put themselves through the agonizing grief. While many say this in the early stages of grief and eventually change their minds, others will actually stay stuck in this mindset indefinitely and build walls of defenses around themselves. I feel very sorry for these folks, for their impulse to spare themselves grief in the short term is actually ensuring they remain trapped in a place of fear for far longer than if they’d allowed themselves to fully feel all the difficult emotions in the first place. Peace and acceptance follow on the heels of grief.

Of course, tears are a big part of our initial experience of grief. Shedding them is vital to our emotional and even physical health. But believing you will never move beyond that acute anguish is erroneous, causing you to deny your feelings altogether. This practice can lead to disease of the body and mind, as well as prove destructive to other relationships, as those emotions seek less healthy/honest means of expression.

Of vital importance in moving through, rather than denying, one’s grief is the act of memorializing our beloved animal companion and celebrating his or her life. This can be done by getting a personalized stone or urn and creating a sort of shrine, holding a memorial service with friends and family members who knew and loved your pet, or it can be a private act wherein you light a solitary candle and write a letter to your animal friend expressing your gratitude for all he or she brought to your life and allowing yourself to remember happy moments you shared. (Should you be in need of inspirational ideas, in my book, Good Grief: Finding Peace After Pet Loss, I devote an entire chapter to methods of doing this.)

Our pets come into our lives as teachers of unconditional love, unbridled joy, acceptance of the cycles of life, and living in the moment. To say, “I will never have another pet,” actually dishonors the pet you just lost. In effect, you’re saying that you choose to ignore all he or she tried to teach you, all out of fear of pain. When the time is right and you’ve completed your mourning—please do not rush into this as another means of avoiding the pain of spending time alone with yourself—you will honor the memory of your dear pet by opening your heart and home to another needful animal.

Your best friend’s pet died, and although you are not a pet owner yourself, you wonder how to comfort them through their grief.  Expressing sympathy for pet loss is not as hard as it may seem.  There are many things you can do to help comfort your friend during this time, and to help them recover from their sadness so that they can begin healing.

Now more than ever before, people consider pets a member of the family.  They love their loyal companions, and even sometimes treat them as almost human.  Thankfully, there are several sympathy phrases for pet loss, so that your friend feels that you care.  Some people feel silly that they get so upset and saddened by the death of a pet, because other people don’t seem to get so attached to pets.  This is another reason to express your sympathy – pet loss is much more devastating to some individuals than others.

Sending a sympathy card to your friend is always a good idea, and now cards are being designed that are directed specifically for the owners of pets.  You can always write a special letter that includes your heartfelt sympathy, or craft a poem in remembrance of your friends beloved pet.

Pet cremation jewelry is another idea that is growing in popularity.  There are hundreds of styles and designs available.  This jewelry is designed to hold a small portion of the cremains or other memento, helping the bereaved feel that they have a special remembrance to keep with them always.  You may also want to consider garden stones to be placed as a memorial, or even pet themed picture frames so that your friend can display a favorite special photo.

There are several great sayings that have been penned to help you express sympathy for pet loss.  You may want to have one or more of these expressions imprinted inside a special card, or simply write them yourself:

No one loves you unconditionally as your beloved pet. – Cynthia S. Dobesh

Although it’s difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow. – Author Unknown

What we have once enjoyed we can never lose; All that we love deeply becomes a part of us. – Helen Keller

Offering your sympathy for pet loss is a loving gesture toward your friend.  It gives them comfort, and helps them validate the loss and sadness they are feeling.  When you have a good friend that has lost a truly cherished pet, support them by giving something from your heart – sympathy.

Pets to Rest Blog

To many people, this is very similar to the feelings experienced in losing a human friend or family member. People may say unkind things such as “Get over it – it was just a pet!” This is very cold and indifferent, but that is how some people feel. Pet loss can be extremely devastating. Their unwavering love and affection is something you don’t get often in this life from humans.

People often think you are silly if you mourn the passing of a friend, that they are somehow not as important as humans. The truth is, sometimes our pets treat us better than friends and family do – and they are loyal to a fault. This is why the loss of a pet can upset you every bit as much as the death of a friend. Feelings of sadness, despair and depression are natural for many people when a beloved pet dies.

Often, remembering certain things can help you cope with losing a dog or cat. Think back about how your pet came to be with you, where you got him from. What were some of the activities that you enjoyed together? Did you play catch in the backyard, or go for walks every day? Think of some of the rough times in your life, or times that you were deliriously happy. How did your pet fit in the picture at those times? Sometimes, thinking back gives you positive feelings that enable you to cope better.

Dealing with grief takes time. Gradually, you will start feeling better and realize that you still have the memories of the great times you shared with your pet. It happens in stages; you move toward closure. Grief and sadness do not go away overnight. When a furry friend dies , especially one you have had for years, can be emotionally draining. You may lose your appetite, and have trouble sleeping. This is normal for those who truly loved their pets from the depths of their soul. Pets to Rest provides a great deal of useful information to assist you during your time of loss.

It is not easy to deal with the death of a furry friend. There are times when you cry your heart out, times when you simply reflect over the past. You have lost the most loving, loyal and affectionate being in your world. Will you ever move past this? Yes, in time. Gradually, life will return to normal. To help gain closure, many people bury or cremate their pets. This allows you to feel that you have shown love and respect to your pet by memorializing him in a way that demonstrates your feelings, and the special place he had in your life. The loss of a pet is truly heartbreaking, but life will go on, and you will move forward in your own good time.

When a horse dies it is more than just the stopping of a heartbeat, it is the world’s loss.

For centuries horses have toiled for their masters and mistresses, giving of their whole being until, finally, they can give no more. For most even in death they give, as their bodies are hauled to animal feed manufacturing plants.

A centuries’ old tradition for a faithful equine friend is to memorialize him or her with a statue. Some times the horses’ head, hooves and heart would be buried near the statue. The head to signify intelligence, the hooves speed and the heart courage.

In more recent times, some famous horses have been mounted, such as Roy Rogers’ Trigger and his (Dale Evans) wife’s Buttermilk.

For the lucky few, they have a family to grieve for them. That big strong animal who didn’t hesitate to jump that jump cleanly while the ring judge was watching, now can’t even step over the clump of grass. That package of muscle and balance that maneuvered over the narrow trail without a stumble, is down. That soft nose that nuzzled and took away all the human’s stress, no longer is warm.

These are the horses that are buried on someone’s farm with a wooden marker lovingly made by hand, or have their remains hauled off to a pet cemetery. There, a mass grave burial costs approximately $200.00. A private plot with a marker is $300.00. A cremation, urn and burial is between $600.00 and $1,000.00.

Horses and Humans have a special bond. The horses that are loved in life are deeply missed in death.

Losing a beloved pet can be devastating for a loving owner who considers that pet a member of the family.  Grieving pet loss is an important process.  You need time to allow yourself to heal, and you must experience a range of emotions just as you do when a human family member passes.

Dealing with pet loss is easier for some than for others, depending upon how close you really were to your pet.  If you felt that your pet was just like a child to you, you will most likely feel many emotions in the weeks following your loss.  You may experience:

Guilt – Many times, pet owner feel that they should have done more, particularly if their beloved pet died in an accidental way.

Denial – You may feel the need to do away with any belongings related to your pet.  Others may feel that getting rid of anything related is somehow disrespectful.

Depression – As with people, it is natural to feel depressed for a period of time.  You may feel extremely sad, but you have lost a member of your family!  If your depression seems to go on for an abnormally long period of time, you may need to seek counseling.

You may also feel anger at some point, and eventually you will accept that fact that your close friend and forever loyal pal is gone.  This will come at your own pace, and the pain will heal although you will forever miss your pet.  Be open and honest about your feelings, and discuss what you feel with people close to you who will understand.  Talking with others helps to release some of those pent-up feelings inside.

Dealing with the loss of a pet can be very hard.  You may feel silly and think that others don’t understand why you are so upset because it was an animal.  Never feel that you should hide your emotions or try to suppress your feelings.  Your pet was perhaps your best friend, and one that never questioned you.  He/She loved you unconditionally, and was faithful through and through. Find words of sympathy that can help you say how you are feeling to someone who has lost a pet.

You have every right to grieve, and the process is a natural one.  One day, you will be able to remember your beloved pet with great pride and joy, and think of all the special memories you created together.

We have written 2 very petinent articles for pet cremation urns and pet cremation jewelry. Please click to view.