When our pets leave us, having a garden pet memorial can help us with the grieving process, as it provides a place to go to perhaps feel close to our pet and to remember the lovely times that we shared. It might be placed in our pets favourite spot in the garden, where it can provide a focus for our grief, where notes, or other momentos such as flowers or candles can be left. Our stone pet memorials are natural and simple and blend in beautifully in the garden. The bond between us and our pets is strong and persists even when our pets are no longer with us, which is why their loss is so heartbreaking. Although the time to say goodbye will inevitably come, we are rarely prepared for the devastating effect it can have on our lives. Animal bereavement services are offered by The Blue Cross, and the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS)

For children, we recommend a lovely book called ‘Goodbye Mog’ by Judith Kerr aimed at children aged 5-8 who are dealing with pet bereavement as well as an illustrated poem called ‘Weep Not For Me: In Memory of a Beloved Cat’, by Constance Jenkins. For adults, we have found that ‘Goodbye Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone who has Ever Lost a Pet’ by Gary Kowalski, is a comforting read.