Part of the grieving process should include how best to memorialize a lost pet. Numerous options exist from traditional burial to cremation. In addition to these basic decisions about how to handle a pet's remains, innumerable options exist as to what to do next. From finding a burial site to deciding how (or if) to mark that site, to determining how to store or where to spread the ashes of a cremated pet, these decisions often must be made while the grieving process is still fresh and painful. Making these decisions, however, aids in this grieving process and provides the last act of love and respect a pet owner can show this loved and loving friend.
Remembering Your Pet
Considerations of what made the pet happiest, favorite locations and favorite toys can be incorporated into these decisions. Not to be forgotten, however, is how to provide a way for the pet owner to remember his or her pet. As the grieving process advances, it becomes increasingly important that memories of the pet's life are kept alive.
Thus, in addition to finding the most appropriate final resting place for these treasured friends and family members, other symbols of the bond shared with a family pet are increasingly available. Where cremation is selected, one such option involves combining a small portion of the pet's ashes with a hard substance, such as zircon (not to be confused with cubic zirconium but a diamond like stone nonetheless), to create a "pet gem."
A Lasting Memorial
Pet gems provide a way to keep an elegant remembrance of a pet with the pet owner even outside the home. Each gemstone is unique, having been formed with the pet's ashes, which ashes may determine the actual color or hue of the particular gem. And, numerous sizes and shapes exist for the creation of these gem stones with a variety of settings available. Once created, these pet gems can be set as jewelry or incorporated into an urn or other holder for the remainder of the pet's ashes.
Though not for everyone, pet gem stones provide a way for pet owners to maintain a connection with a lost pet in an inconspicuous fashion. Moreover, these stones are easily transported and alleviate concerns over leaving a buried pet in an old yard or other fixed location. Despite the tragedy of the loss of a pet, the best give a pet owner can provide following such a loss is to ensure memories of this loving family member endure. Pet gems may be the best way for some owners to do just that.
