Cherished Memories’s commemorative pet keepsakes and memorial urns. LEFT: black ceramic urn; RIGHT: keepsake box with cedar urn. to Cherished Memories. It reads: “On this property are buried the remains of beloved pets entrusted to Cherished Memories for communal disposition. Over their lifetimes, these pets were loved and cared for by many devoted families.” “We wanted to feature an option for families who although they loved their pets dearly, may not be financially in a position to invest in an urn. This package does not diminish the love they had for their pet, nor does it cheapen the memorial in any way,” says Royce. Because the monument

site sets on private residential properly, the Crawfords do not offer a public pet cemetery or any monument visitations. “The monument was the inspiration of our son Aaron, as was Cherished Memories. He was a devout animal and nature lover and outdoorsman his entire life and it was important to him that we offer these services to families. In a sense, we are carrying out Aaron’s legacy by honoring the lives of pets,” says Royce. For more information on a pet memorial or cremation services by Cherished Memories, please contact your veterinarian or call 254.289.0966 or 254.317.7199

Grieving the loss of pet? You are not alone. Find support by calling one of these organizations which specialize in pet-loss.

ASPCA Pet Loss Hotline 877.GRIEF.10

Additional resources:

Designated to assist pet owners with grief management, including comfort, support and decisions on euthanizing; advice on dealing with children; elderly or disabled individuals who are facing the death of a companion animal; how to help surviving pets cope with the loss; and establishing a relationship with a new pet

Coping with the Loss of a Pet: A Gentle Guide for All Who Love a Pet, Christina M. Lemieux, Ph.D.; Wallace R. Clark & Co.; 1988.

SPCA of Texas Pet Grief Counseling Program 214.461.5131

Dog Gone, Howard Bronson; Bestsell Publications, 6 Samba Circle, Sandwich, MA 02563; 1994.

Services include telephone counseling, one-onone counseling and group counseling. All calls are returned within 24 hours.

PetFriends 800.404.PETS (7387)

photographs by JULIE NABOURS

Pet Loss: A Thoughtful Guide for Adults and Children, Herbert A. Nieburg, Ph.D. & Arlene Fischer; Harper Perennial; 1996.

Legacies of Love: A Gentle Guide to Healing from the Loss of Your Animal Loved One audiobook, Teresa Wagner, Upper Access Books.

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