Your golden retriever’s collar sits in the drawer and you can’t bear to look at it. That empty spot on the couch where he used to curl up is impossible to fill.
I want something beautiful to remember him by, not one of those ugly urns you wouldnt want in your living room. I dont want a “pet” store memorial.
Perhaps you have looked at some DIY dog memorial ideas but you don’t know where to start. Or you are worried that it would make your home feel sad rather than an event to celebrate 12 years of tail wags and slobbery kisses.
If you are looking for 18 dog memorial ideas that would blend well with your home’s style, then this is the place to be. You’ll find something from $15 garden stones to portraits that look like they were made for a design magazine not for a sad shrine.
Your pup deserves to be honored with a tribute just as special as those morning walks, and the way he greeted you at the door every day.
#1: 3D Crystal Photo Memorial Block (Laser-Etched Portrait, Elegant Living Room Display)
Your boxer’s face sits in a crystal glass, Laser-etched into every wrinkle, every wise eye, Sitting on your coffee table for all to see.
Measures 3 inches square. Deep inside the block a 3D photo is etched. You send us a favorite photo and we send it to an engraver, who then converts it to laser specs. Our machine etches the layers inside the crystal. Takes two weeks to receive.
The base includes engraved dates: 2010-2020. Add “Forever Missed, Always Loved” or any phrase you like. The black display base is included. Fits any shelf, desk, or mantle so you can honor your dog without having to redesign your whole room. Your grief now has a beautiful home.
Put it on your nightstand for a morning hello. Or on the mantel to be seen. Natural light brings out the etching. Some people have added a small LED base that rotates colors. It’s a peaceful spot for a dog and a memorial for dog loss coping tips, or just a hard day.
She touches the crystal every night before bed, and says goodnight to him. The glass feels warm in her hand. Other family members add candles around it on his birthday, and the kids drew pictures of him that lean against the base.
Pro tip: We dust this on a weekly basis with a microfiber cloth. Please note: It has finger prints on the crystal part, so only hold the piece by the black base.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @abcrystalcollection1
#2: Engraved Australia Keychain Memorial (Carries Your Dog’s Name Everywhere, Turns Daily Grief Into Portable Comfort)
Your hand reaches for keys every morning. Now Scotty’s name touches your palm each time.
This custom-engraved, brushed brass Australia-shaped keychain measures 1.5 inches wide. It costs $18 from our custom engravers. Name appears in lowercase script on the outside of the continent shape. This takes 3 days for custom engraving and shipping. The key chain attaches to any key ring using the gold clasp.
It’s small enough to take with you to work or running errands. You can touch it during hard times so that you can feel connected instantly, which means grief doesn’t isolate you from your daily life. Your other dog sniffs the key chain when you get home and recognizes the scent memory.
Get personal with the name of your dog by using a font that is lower case. Maybe add a few dates at the bottom if you have room. Brushed metal finish won’t show finger prints as much as a shiny brass. Some owners have their dog’s home state or country shapes underneath their pet’s name. Dog Name Idea Check out dog names if you want to have a name for a pet you choose in the future. You can also browse boy dog names for a refresher on how you got the perfect name for your dog.
Order two: I carry one in my pocket and one for my wifes bag. Grand kids have asked about it and heard the stories in the parking lot of the grocery store.
Pro tip: DAYS GO BY, COMPILING BOBBLE FACTS! I rub the engraving on the back of my hand at a traffic jam. I find it very calming, and it’s a nice ritual to do in his honor all day.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @maxandmoutags
#3: Shadow Box Collar Memorial (Elegant Display, Daily Comfort)
She stops every morning and looks at the shadow box and sniffs the spot where Rocket’s collar would be. She still remembers him.
This deep shadow box contains Rocket’s tan leather collar which is curved in a perfect circle. A small glass vial is attached to the chain which probably contains fur or soil from Rocket’s favorite spot. His portrait is matted and has a burgundy background. His nameplate attached to the front of the box reads “Rocket”. The picture measures 16 x 20 inches and has a white frame.
You’ll display this on your living room shelf or mantle SO YOU CAN see his memory daily WHICH MEANS your heart stays connected. The 3D depth lets you preserve his actual collar, not just photos. Each family member can add something—his tag, a paw print card, even a drawing. Other dogs in your home might sniff the glass. They sense something special lives there.
Today I am going to teach you how to make a shadow box of your dog. You will need to find a shadow box at your local craft store. They run about $30-40. So you are going to want to arrange the collar first, if needed you can pin the collar with clear wire. Then attach the photo in a white mat. Next you are going to need to attach a nameplate in the back. You can use an adhesive strip to attach it. Lastly seal the back with the clips they give you. You can hang it on a wall or prop it up on a shelf. It only takes a few minutes. I hope you enjoy this project, if you do please share it on pinterest or facebook. If you are looking for some unique dog names try out these aesthetic dog names: unique & beautiful ideas for your dog. If you are creating a memorial for multiple dogs I would check out some cute dog names.
Touch his glass once a week. That’s all. That is a ritual close to him.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @pretty_fluffy
#4: Comfort-First Memorial Sweatshirt (Wearable Tribute, Daily Connection)
This is the hoodie she puts on when she goes to the dog park. Everyone asks her about the quote on the front.
“I just want to make my dog proud.” is screen-printed in vintage serif font on soft black cotton. The sweatshirt measures small to 2XL and costs around $28 to $35 from the custom print shop. Takes 3 days to print and ship.
It works like this: Whether you choose to name your dog after their favorite quote, a meaningful phrase, or a color of the dog’s fur that means the most to you, you can use this quote for your own personal comfort. The adorable dog quote tee is printed in either typewriter, script, or block letters for your style choices. You can wear this when sipping a cup of coffee in the morning or taking a stroll in the evening. This is an ideal accessory to lounge in on a cozy Saturday morning. This dog quote t-shirt can be washed multiple times for comfort, and you will have your dog’s memory close to your heart. Think of it like combining cute dog accessories ideas with memorial comfort.
I’m not sure why, but every day when I put on my hoodie I feel connected. I feel connected because it was his hoodie. I think about him and his wagging tail as we walked on his usual route. I think about all the proud moments we shared.
Your dog sniffs the sweatshirt every time you wear it. Recognizes the scent of his brother. Slowly wags his tail. Lies close.
I like to dress the dogs in the same clothes as I am in order to commemorate my mom. Grandma ordered matching shirts for everyone and we wore them on his birthday.
Practical tip: Buy two sweaters that are exactly alike. Alternate wearing them each week. One will always be clean and one will always be worn.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @9priscillaway
#5: Custom Paw Print Photo Canvas (Personalized Wood Grain Memorial, Living Room Tribute)
Good Morning, every morning the sun catches the canvas and I see the five photos of Bella arranged in paw print shapes. She is in the second stage of an illness that will take her away from us.
This wooden-style canvas measures 16×20 inches. It would look great above your living room sofa or on your entryway table. There are 5 paw prints that you can cut out and have your dog’s photos in them! His name is written in bold brown letters with his birth date and date he crossed the rainbow bridge. A poem is wrapped around the photos that reads, “You came into my heart one day, so beautiful and smart.”.
At the top of the graphic are a few small paw prints scattered over the background. It creates a peaceful tribute to SO YOU CAN remember happy moments daily WHICH MEANS your heart feels lighter even during grief. The wood grain texture adds warmth without looking cold or clinical. Much gentler than stark memorial stones. YOU WILL FIND COMFORT IN dog loss coping tips that suggest visual tributes help in healing.
My best friend, Bella. She’s hanging in the kitchen for now. It seems like the most popular place in our house. She visits her “Mom” before she goes to bed at night. Touches a favorite photo of Bella, says goodnight to her, and her other dog sits beside her, wagging her tail softly. I’ve been thinking about exploring other memorial garden ideas for outdoors as well.
Enter your dog’s name and dates. Upload five of your dog’s favorite photos and see her personality come alive! Takes 7-10 days for custom printing. Pre-installed hardware to hang from the wall.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @customizeafshop
#6: Custom Paw Print Stone Memorial (Forever in Our Hearts Display)
There is a candle beside the paw print Bruno left behind every Sunday morning. While holding a cup of coffee, she tells Bruno about her week. A smooth black stone and some wooden slats make a peaceful corner for her grief.
The paw print is made up of five smooth river stones. There are four toes, and one pad. There is a little note at the bottom that says “Bruno – Forever in our hearts – 2009-2024”. The shadow box frame can sit on any bookshelf or mantle. It takes about 10 minutes to put the stones in the glue and about 2 hours for the wood stain to dry.
And it shows your dog’s memory without making your guests uncomfortable so you can honor him every day and your heart will get that quiet moment it needs. The stones feel cool when you touch them. It is a very real memorial. Your other dog sniffs it each morning then wags his tail.
The neutral black and natural wood material will fit in almost any room style and decor. It makes a nice living room shelf between family photos. It can also serve as a nice bedside table in the bedroom to enjoy a private moment. It can also be used as an entryway table so that it’s the first thing that you see when you walk in the door. Some of them create dog animation ideas as well to share with their friends online. Other will rotate different photos of their dog through the years from their teddy bear dog haircut puppy days to his distinguished senior years.
Pro tip: seal the stones with clear acrylic spray so dust wipes off easily, but that doesn’t disturb the arrangement.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @easternsapphire
#7: Wood Slice Photo Memorial (Natural Tribute, Forever Visible)
Your hand traces the grain circles each morning as you enter the studio. Wood holds the photo of your son. Paw print. Riley’s still here, just differently.
a lasting tribute I have it hanging in my home. I purchased a natural wood slice at the craft store. It was 8-10 inches in diameter. I paid between $12-15. I printed out his photo (black and white) from the computer on the transfer paper. I ironed it on to the wood. The image will never fade. Next, I took a wood burning tool ($18 at the craft store) and burned the name on the wood. Also I burned the dates underneath. The whole project took me about 45 minutes. I went over the image again with the wood burning tool to make it darker. I used a pencil and drew an outline for the paw print at the bottom of the wood. I burned that. I then sprayed it with a clear polyurethane spray. It dries in 2 hours. You could even go over the wood a second time with the wood burning tool to make it look a little older. The cracks make it look rustic, not beat up.
I have it on a small mantle in our living room and my husband put it on a living room bookshelf. We are eventually going to put it on the wall with a small nail through the top. It feels so warm. I think the wood gives it a very different, heart warming feel. You can also find some great tips for customizing your dog’s memorial, I love the idea of doing the dog custom ideas in the glass….it would make me smile every time I looked at it. The dog print feels comforting….our other dog smells it everyday….he knows that’s his brother. He still goes up and sniffs it when I am on the couch.
There are matching slices for more than one pet! Can you tell which is theirs? I like how my kids help burn their dog’s paw print on the tree. Every time they walk past his photo, they give him a pat. For additional pet ideas, see more cool DIY pet display ideas.
Try this: The place where the morning sun hits. Light catches the wood grain. Reminds me he was real, he was loved, he was irreplaceable.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @blackfoxmachining
#8: Gold Paw Print Signet Ring Memorial (Wearable Tribute, Daily Comfort)
I touch your ring every morning before I have my coffee. I can feel the texture of the gold oval against my skin. His paw print is on there. Always with me now.
Some signet rings have actual paw prints cast in 14k gold or sterling silver. The raised texture is an exact replica of his pads down to the lines. The jeweler will create the mold with an impression of his paw print from clay. The rings take about 4 weeks to create and cost $150-$400 depending on the metal choice.
You will be wearing his memory to those tough meetings so you can feel him close to you. In addition, the ring can be worn on the pointer or middle finger. It is small and subtle enough for work yet, with its different texture surface, meaningful enough to you to wear. When you get anxious, you can run your thumb across it for some comfort.
Other dogs seem to sniff my hand. They’ve gotten a whiff of something, maybe. My daughter wants me to have one made to take with her to college. She wants his paw print to go with her. Consider it with some of the creative dog room ideas that include a photo or match it with some tribute elements from a pallet dog bed memorializing his favorite sleeping spot.
Make an impression of his paw while he’s calm and relaxed. Press his paw into non-toxic clay. Local jewelers or online Etsy metalworkers can create your forever memories to wear on your hand! You will never leave home without him again.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @le.mela
#9: Playful Puppy Finger-Toy Memorial Shadow Box (Captures First Moments, Celebrates Joy Daily)
She kept his favorite puppy toy in a drawer and couldn’t bear to look at it without crying.
Next she made him this finger-toy shadow box memorial for him. It is a simple wooden box that holds his tiny puppy squeaker. She added his very first collar to it along with a photo of him as a baby. The shadow box measures 8×10 inches and sits on her living room shelf. It reminds her of those days when she would play with his little fingers and he would tug on them.
How to make it : Time taken – 30 minutes. An 8×10 shadow box frame can be picked up from any craft store for around $15. I painted the back of my frame in soft cream or your dogs favorite color. With a hot glue gun, I added a small puppy toy that he loved to tug on. I then added his smallest collar and a baby photo in one corner. I also wrote his name and dates with a paint pen. Then I sprayed it with clear spray and let it dry for 1 hour.
Display it where you see it daily. Morning coffee beside it means you remember his puppy energy. Kids can add drawings to the backing yearly. Other dogs sniff it and seem to remember him too. For more ways to honor your pet’s space, check out these creative dog nook ideas. If you’re creating an outdoor tribute, explore these DIY dog run ideas for inspiration.
Light a small battery candle beside it on his birthday, though. That way it feels like he’s still part of the celebration.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @modernopaw
#10: Shadow Box Paw Print Memorial (Fur, Photos & Prints in One Frame)
She opens the shadow box each morning, touching the glass over Oxmo’s collar tag. Another dog sniffs at the fur sample inside.
White wooden shadow box holds 4 sections. Top left: a sealed bag of golden fur from “Oxmo”. Top right: a small vial of the fur. And bottom: two black paw prints on a gray background, with L and R indicating left and right. Fits a 12×12 inch wall space or shelf. Takes about 45 minutes to assemble all pieces.
I took a few photos of him on the tree swing, and then decided to do a paw print casting project for him. This uses the ink pad method of casting. I pressed his paws onto a white piece of paper, let them dry 10 minutes and then mounted them on a piece of gray card stock with his name. This way I have him preserved in fur so I can look at him and see him. I know you always want to remember the happy moments with your dog, and I am no exception. This was taken while we were at home, swinging in the tree swing, much like some of the memories from our dog pen creation outside.
She likes to have his picture hanging beside some of the other pictures of family pets in her living room. She lights a candle under his picture every night. The kids tell Oxmo stories at night. Other pets will pause there also. It has created a peaceful place to remember him and doesn’t take over any decor. Guests will often ask about him and she tells them happy memories instead of just grief.
Seal the fur bags with clear tape. Use UV protective glass to prevent fading of the fur. Change the photos every month to show puppy to senior years.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @ness_thegolden
#11: Custom Portrait Plaque Memorial (Hand-Painted Tribute, Personal Keepsake)
Every night, the Plaque of my Portrait sits with me. My human holds it when it gets hard. It’s a nice comfort to have the painted face of the humans smiling at me when the house seems too quiet.
This little piece of artwork is approximately 6 inches tall. You simply trace a picture of your sweet girl onto the wood. Then you add her spots and her sweet face and even her name at the top. Seal it with a clear coat so it doesn’t get ruined and it is pretty much done. This probably took me 2 hours total to make, including drying time.
With her beautiful hand-painted details, it captures her personality and you can have a piece of her with you during the grieving process. Put it on your nightstand or alongside a picture of her on your mantle. Many of our customers have also made similar tributes for their outdoor spaces. Check out 12 Creative Outdoor Dog Kennel Ideas for Your Furry Friend for more ideas and even place the urn on the ground near a dog run she enjoyed.
The kids added their own paintings of Grandma to create a gallery wall. One family has five different plaques, all with the family’s own painted portraits. One of Grandma smiling, one serious, each one is a different memory. Each one will be lit by a candle on her birthday. One of them will tell stories of the funny face she would make or how other animals would sniff the plaque as if they remembered her.
Pro tip: Use acrylic paint on unfinished wood from the craft store. Costs under $15 total. Your shaky hands make it more personal, not less perfect.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @millie_theanxiousdog
#12: Windswept Brushstroke Dog Portrait Memorial (Captures Their Spirit in Motion, Brings Joy to Daily Rooms)
Max was a Golden Retriever who would run like the wind was his best friend. A brushstroke portrait memorial capturing his freedom with fur flying, head held high, the wind in his hair.
Don’t be fooled by how few brushstrokes there are on this cream canvas. The idea is to capture your dogs motion not the details. This painting can be done with a minimum of strokes of a paint brush. Will take you about 20 minutes if you choose to do it yourself, or get one made for $45-75. It will fit in any room as the distressed black 8×10 frame matches any style of room. You will want to hang this one somewhere that you will see it every day, whether it be the entryway, night stand, in your living room, or anywhere in the house. This is a dog that moved through life not just one that looks pretty.
And that’s the beauty of the windswept effect. Not only is it beautiful but it captures personality. If you have a Lab that lived for the beach, an Aussie who herded anything in sight or a mutt who ran through piles of leaves every fall – then the muted tones of this will not clash with the decor in your home, like some of the rainbow bridge tributes. I like this a lot, and as a coping tip for dog loss coping tips, it’s so beautiful and understated, it can go with your family photos without announcing grief.
If you paint multiple times a month, we suggest changing the canvas every month. For the energy level of a puppy. Or, if you have a more mellow dog, you can leave it up for longer. It’s a different life stage, but the same beautiful movement. Of course, you can add your initials in the corner of the canvas like this artist did by signing her “R.” Your other dog will sniff the frame daily just like visitors ask, “Who’s that?”
Action tip: Paint when you’re having a birthday week One stroke for each year you’re together.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @paintedbyalice
#13: Two-Headed Party Hat Dog Pillow Memorial (Whimsical Celebration, Forever Smiling)
She decided to make a double portrait pillow of her two favorite boys and put their favorite birthday hats on them. She couldn’t bear to get rid of the hats after they went to the rainbow bridge. She has placed them on the living room chair just like they used to cuddle.
The pillow measures 12 inches tall. The pillow’s base is made from burlap and is embroidered with the image of each dog. Their real party hats are attached to the top of the pillow with their pink and blue pom-poms still bouncing. The red collar with detail stitches where their noses touched. I think it took me about 90 minutes if you’re a sewer and you know what you’re doing. Fabric stores have burlap for $4 a yard.
[IMAGE][IMAGE] [IMAGE] IT ALSO celebrates the personalities of our four-legged friends SO YOU CAN remember those happy times. When we celebrate a birthday party we don’t want to think of the sad ending, so it feels almost as if the grief is not so hard. Who can help but smile when they see the silly hats bobbing in the breeze. Even a visitor smiles before they realise it is a tribute to our dogs.
Display it on your favourite chair that they loved to sit on. Or prop it up on a shelf in your bedroom as a joyful night time reminder. Either way, the design is fun and would look great in your dogs’ creative pet spaces.
Start simple: Cut the dog’s outline on the paper. Trace on the burlap and embroider the basic features of a party hat on it. Attach the actual party hat on the top.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @madebyswimmer
#14: Custom Portrait Memorial with Modern Shadow Box (Turns Your Photo Into Lasting Art, Honors Every Detail)
Every morning I light a candle beside his portrait. Coffee tastes different now. But I feel better when I look at his picture.
Shadow box memorial display Print of you and your dog together. Black metal frame 16×20 inches. White mat board. Most recent celebration between you and your dog with birthday hat and green shirt owner. Runs $45 for the print, $30 for the shadow box frame. Take about 20 minutes to assemble.
Your favorite picture becomes your daily comfort. It becomes the one thing you can look at and remember his face each morning. Having a professional print of your photo means it will last for 75 years without fading. The photo above is from my favorite picture. It is the exact moment I wish I could freeze forever. It is a picture of my little man playing on the couch. It was taken on his birthday and was a day at the beach.
Place the shadow box on a shelf in your living room next to family photos. Your guests will be curious about him and ask about the picture. You can share stories about him. Your kids can add birthday decorations to the frame each year. Your other dog will sniff his picture before bed every night so he knows he’s his brother. There are other similar ideas in 17 creative pregnancy announcement ideas with your dog.
Build your memorial: Find your favorite picture of you both. Order the 11×14 professional print on the heavy stock paper. Have it mounted in a shadow box (3 inch depth) Put a collar tag in the bottom corner. Seal the back with tape.
Pro tip: Change the flowers in the little vase beside the frame. I should like to have fresh flowers there to honour him, and to keep the display fresh and alive.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @namrata.pande
#15: Curly-Haired Stuffed Dog Memorial (Plush Preservation, Comforting Daily Presence)
Good morning, Light catches the golden curls of her daughter’s hair. She stops and touches his soft ears before school. Preserved plush of his favorite stuffed toy, your dog as a lasting tribute. This memorial sits on your bed, couch or memorial shelf.
The base is a 12-inch shadow box with glass front. You’ll put his well-loved, favorite stuffed toy inside (the one he carried everywhere with him) and place the Furkid Studio collar tag under it. We even put the bottom piece that his bed sits on in the box so you would know what it looked like. Set up was only about 20 minutes. The glass will protect the fabric from dust but you will be able to reach in to touch his fuzzy side if you need comfort.
The plush stays soft enough to touch so you can feel that connection during hard moments. Your other dog can sniff it during visits. It works like those creative dog bed ideas that preserve personal touches—except this captures his playful spirit. Kids add small drawings around the frame. Grandparents share stories about how he’d squeak that toy at 6 AM. The memorial becomes a gathering spot for remembering happy moments together.
Every once in a while she still tucks the plush under her pillow. She feels like he is still protecting her sleep. And that’s how I felt about this DIY dog house project. This tribute takes a special little place in my home.
To add a little bit of additional light to the shadow box add a battery-operated tea light below.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @furkid.studio
#16: Wood-Burned Portrait Memorial Plaque (Custom Artwork, Lasting Tribute)
Every morning, the light dances on the wood grain, and Joey’s portrait catches it on the mantle, his gentle eyes watching over the living room.
Wood burning is a permanent art form that you can’t erase or fade. The artist will take a slice of basswood and etch your dog’s face into it. The slice of wood will be 8-10 inches wide (depends on the dog) and it will include a ribbon banner with your dog’s name below the portrait. The artist will spend 3-4 hours etching the fur texture and soulful eyes. The cost of the wood burning portrait will range from $75-150, depending on the artist and size of the piece.
This memorial gives you REALISTIC PORTRAIT QUALITY of your dog so you can see his exact expression again and feel his presence daily. And this wooden edge and light grain give this the rustic, tactile feeling that fits any home decor. You can hang it on the wall next to your family photos, or put it near the pictures you took of your pup on his birthday.
I like to put it where I am most at home. The mantle over our fire place, or at the entry way table. You could put it on the wall in your bedroom. It does not have a frame and it weighs less than a pound. It would look good on the mantle over the fire. I don’t have many other animals other than my cats and they sniff it and I think they like the eyes. You can always put a little candle under it for night time remembrance. Change out the flowers once a month.
Your tip: In order to illustrate your dog’s personality, it is very important that the artist has 3-4 clear face photos of your dog. Make sure these photos show a close up of your dog’s face with good lighting to clearly show the dog’s eyes and their authentic expressions.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @theburningmoonart
#17: Photo-Realistic Portrait Tattoo Memorial (Permanent Tribute, Always With You)
After 12 years of being with her husband she had his portrait tattooed onto her body so she could have him with her at all times.
Looks like a picture, but its a tattoo! I’ve seen this photo-realistic tattoo memorial on a few different occasions, and I have to say I am very impressed! Its truly a tattoo that captures every detail from his smile to his eyes! I’m not a tattoo artist, but I’m told that this can take 4-6 hours in the chair, and it can cost you from $400-$800 depending on size and detail, usually being placed on the shoulder, chest or calf (with a portrait typically being 4-6 inches in size).
One of the reasons people get tattoos is to pay tribute to someone, so when they die, they can feel close to them even on the days that are hard. Nowhere is home as an option for memorial garden ideas, but tattoos will always be with you, and it might make you feel better to know that he is close even when you are somewhere else.
Choose your best photo, showing his personality. It can be the happy, alert look, but bring more than one, and from different angles. Some people will just want the person’s name and date, and some will include the bridge. The process takes 2-3 weeks to heal. Keep it moisturized and covered for a few weeks.
Light a candle at home on his birthday and touch the tattoo. Remember him close to your heart.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @holytrinitytattoos
#18: Ornate Frame Portrait Memorial (Heirloom Art Display, Living Room Tribute)
I painted my dachshund on ticking stripe fabric. Tucked him into a gold frame and now he’s on the mantle with some family photos.
Baroque style frame measures 8×10 inches. Holds watercolor portrait on vintage striped fabric. Add your dog’s name and dates in corner script. Heavy frame stands upright on any shelf or hangs with built-in wire. Takes 30 minutes to commission a portrait from your favorite photo.
There’s nothing quite as cute as this heirloom to have in your living room so you can see your dog daily AND your guests get to see the dog too! Frame feels like a family portrait! My other dog sniffs it as she walks through the room to his perch on the chair. She knows that is her brother!
Place it on your mantle between the graduations of your nieces and nephews and your sister’s wedding. The dog’s earned a spot up there. Or you can hang it in your entry way so it greets your dog when he comes home. Some families like to rotate the pictures of their dogs out in matching frames. You could have your birthday puppy in the spring and the senior beach photo in the summer. Find more ways to honor special moments with creative homemade displays and personalized tribute spaces.
Light one candle beside the frame on his birthday. Tell one story about him. Kids add new ones every year.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @paintedbyalice
Keep Their Memory Alive in Your Space
Give your beloved pet the tribute he/she deserves. You can create a simple display with your pet’s favorite photos or create a pet memorial garden this weekend.
While you’re busy creating a home that is as meaningful as it is beautiful, don’t forget to make your home pup-friendly, too! Check out these 16 Budget-Friendly DIY Dog Run Ideas and these 12 Creative DIY Dog Gate Ideas for Your Home and 13 Creative DIY Elevated Dog Bed Ideas for Your Furry Friend to make your space both beautiful and functional for your four-legged friend!
Which idea for a dog memorial touched you the most?
Amr Mohsen is a software engineer who traded his keyboard for a leash — at least on weekends. His love for dogs inspired him to share what he learns as a dog owner and enthusiast, bringing a detail-oriented, research-driven perspective to every article he writes. If it’s about dogs, he’s probably already looked it up twice.
