Pet memories can last long after beloved animal companions
are no longer with us. A dog may
live for six to 20 years, depending upon his breed. An indoor cat may survive for 15
to 18 years. A hamster may live only
two or three years.
How can pet owners preserve
pet memories?
Many animal lovers create pet memory boxes to enjoy their
furry friends during their life spans and to honor them afterwards. The process
is simple.
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| Public domain photo / Pixabay |
NOTE: Written by this author, this copyrighted material originally
appeared on another publisher’s site. That site no longer exists. This author
holds all rights to this content. No republication is allowed without
permission.
1. Pick a sturdy
container.
A waterproof plastic box with a tight-fitting lid serves
well as a pet memory box. The transparent varieties offer easy identification
in storage areas of the home. Some pet owners pick fancier receptacles, such as
hand-carved wooden boxes or decorative lidded tins.
Ideally, a separate box contains mementos for each pet.
2. Collect
significant stuff to save.
What pet reminders are most meaningful to you? Suggested
souvenirs might include copies of a pet’s medical records, breeding or adoption
papers, training certificates, show awards, identification tags, and his or her
baby collar.
Pet photographs are a must, of course.
A pet lover might clip a bit of fur and tuck it into a small
zippered plastic bag for safekeeping as well.
Why not toss a favorite old chew toy, a ball, or a plush
animal that resembles the pet into the pet memory box? Perishable items, such
as dog bones or catnip treats, should be skipped.
3. Identify each
item.
A fine-point permanent marker is handy for jotting down
names, dates, and other details on each item going into the pet memory box.
4. Pack carefully.
Bubble wrap or packing popcorn help to keep treasured pet
artifacts safe. Papers can be stowed in a folder or large envelope, placed neatly
on the bottom of the container. Fragile items should be wrapped.
5. Store the pet
memory box securely.
For safekeeping, the entire parcel should be stowed in a
cool and dry spot and checked periodically for memory’s sake and possible
updating.
A pet memory box takes little time to prepare, but it can
lead to many hours of happy memories after a pet has passed away.
Image/s:
Product photo – fair use
