When our beloved dog died last year, I can’t even explain how difficult it was for all of us. She was 10-and-a-half years old, and was sick, and I felt that we had been robbed of a few more years of her presence in our lives. I wanted to honor her memory and her legacy in some way, and I started dreaming of creating a small memorial garden in her honor. I thought it would be healing not only for myself, but for my oldest daughter, who has struggled with this loss and still does.
Unlike when a human dies, we really don’t have real closure to a pet death — there is no wake, no funeral, no cemetery to visit. Yet pets are clearly important members of our families, and their loss is felt daily, as suddenly we don’t have pet dishes to fill or dogs to take outside and walk or to brush or to sit on our feet at night while we watch TV or sleep next to our bed. A small garden in their memory can give families a chance to work on something together to honor their pet, and give everyone a place to grieve and remember.
Plant a Rainbow
One of the things that comforted me after our dog died was the “Rainbow Bridge” story. It would be lovely to recreate a rainbow in a pet memorial garden, in honor of this idea. With a few annuals in different hues, planted in a semi-circle, a beautiful rainbow can blossom in your pet memorial garden.
An all-white “angel” garden is also beautiful, especially when enjoyed at night. Focus on white flowers, both annuals and perennials, which often have heavenly scents when in bloom.
Symbolic Meanings
Many plants have different meanings as well. Dogwood trees are often planted in memory of our canine friends and can be a beautiful centerpiece to a garden area. Lavender plants signify love and devotion; rosemary is for remembrance.
Ornamental Displays
Garden ornaments can personalize your pet memorial garden. If you decide to bury your pet or its ashes, mark the spot with a special stone. Personalized markers, with a pet’s name, are available online. Many web sites, including Amazon.com, offer garden stones with quotes or images relating to the death of a pet.
Other items appropriate for a pet memorial garden include angel statues, solar lights, a bird feeder or bird bath, a fountain, wind chimes, and a bench. A statue of St. Francis of Assisi also makes a nice decoration, since he is the patron saint of animals.
A Family Project
Keep in mind that your special garden may also be a place where future pets to rest, such as small creatures like goldfish, frogs, and birds.
Including the little ones in creating the garden can be a healing experience for them. In addition to planting flowers, have children make stepping stones or other garden ornaments to place in the garden. Be sure to include them in the care and watering of the plants.
Creating a safe, peaceful place will help kids with the grieving process, and tending to a garden will be a thoughtful task to remember your beloved pet.
