When a pet dies, the house changes. The lead on the hook, the bowl by the door, the particular sound on the stairs: they all go quiet. Many people want something tangible to hold on to, and some feel awkward about wanting it. They need not. A small printed keepsake made around a favourite photograph is a perfectly good way to honour an animal who was part of the family, and we are happy to help you make one. This page covers four formats, how to choose a photograph, and what to put on each.
Questions or a quote? Message us — we reply personally
Four ways to remember them
Each format suits a different purpose, so it helps to think about where it will live.
Memorial cards. A card sits comfortably on a shelf, in a wallet or inside a frame. It holds a photograph, a name and a few words. Cards are also easy to share with other family members, and children often like having their own.
Bookmarks. Slim and personal, a bookmark goes where you will see it daily. It suits a small photograph and a very short line. Many people give them to those who were fond of the animal, such as a neighbour who walked the dog.
Foam board. A mounted board holds a larger photograph or a collage. It is light to carry and works well for a small gathering, a scattering of ashes or a farewell at home, when a few friends want to see pictures. Afterwards it can stand on a sideboard for a while.
Canvas. A photograph printed and stretched onto a frame, ready to hang. It is the most lasting of the four and usually the one that people choose for a favourite wall. Because a canvas has a softer, textured surface, it is also more forgiving of a photograph that is not perfectly sharp.
If you are unsure, begin with a card. You can always follow it with a larger piece later, perhaps for an anniversary.
Choosing the photograph
You do not need a studio portrait. In fact, the picture that looks most like them is usually an ordinary one: head tilted, mid-stretch, half asleep in a patch of sun. A few things make printing easier.
- Pick pictures where the eyes are visible and in focus.
- Daylight photographs print better than ones taken with flash, which can flatten colour.
- Choose the original file from your phone gallery rather than one forwarded in a chat, which shrinks it.
- A close-up crops well to a card or bookmark, while a wider shot suits a board or canvas.
- Distracting backgrounds can be softened or cropped, so send the whole picture.
- If the best photograph is old or small, say so. We will be straightforward about what will and will not look good.
Our guide to preparing images for printing has more on file quality.
What to write
Many people stare at an empty space on a card and cannot find words. You do not have to write a poem. Here are some quiet options:
- The name alone, with the years, such as "Biscuit, 2011 to 2024".
- A short line that sounds like them: "Always first to the door."
- A simple phrase such as "Forever loved" or "Our faithful friend".
- Their nickname, if they had one the whole family used.
- A small detail: a favourite walk, a habit, a toy.
If you would like to include a poem or lyric, bear in mind that many are protected by copyright, so a short verse of your own is often the safest and most personal choice.
Photograph, name or both?
Some people prefer only a photograph, with nothing written beside it. Others find that the name and years matter most, as they would on any family memorial. A middle path is a small name beneath the picture and nothing else. Think about who will look at it. If it is mostly for you, a quiet design may be best. If it is for friends or children, a few warm words can help them feel they are allowed to talk about the animal.
Layout ideas for a board or collage
A foam board can hold a surprising amount, but crowding it makes every picture smaller. A single large image with a ring of smaller ones around it often works well. Another approach is a timeline, running from puppy or kitten days to the later years, with a short caption under each. You might also try a themed collection: favourite places, favourite naps, favourite toys. Aim for between five and twelve photographs, and send a few extra so we can choose ones that sit well together. Keep colours broadly similar, or convert all pictures to black and white for a calm, consistent look. We will lay it out and show you the proof before printing, and it is easy to swap a picture at that stage.
Looking after the keepsake
Keep cards and bookmarks out of strong, direct sunshine and away from damp, since both fade and curl paper over time. A canvas should hang away from radiators and bathrooms. Foam board is light and can mark if pressed, so store it flat or upright, not under other items. A frame with glass is a good option for a card you want to keep for years.
When it is more than you can face
You do not have to decide today. Send the photograph when you are ready, and explain only as much as you want to. We understand that some messages are short because the words will not come, and that is quite all right.
Planning a small gathering
Some families hold a short farewell at home or in the garden. A foam board or a few cards can be enough to turn it into something gentle. Ask each person to bring a photograph or a memory. Consider laying out cards for guests to take away. If you want something ready for a particular day, give us the date in your first message and order early, since we cannot promise a delivery time in advance.
Keepsakes for a child
Children grieve pets sharply and often wordlessly. A bookmark or small card of their own can give them something to hold. Let them pick the picture, if they are old enough, and perhaps add one word in their own writing, which we can scan and include.
Gifts for a friend who has lost a pet
It is hard to know what to say, and sometimes a gift says it better. A card or bookmark made from a photograph of their animal tells them you remembered the name and the face. If you only have one picture from social media, send it along and we will tell you honestly whether it can be printed well. Keep the note simple: use the pet's name, and avoid suggesting they get another straight away.
How we work with you
You message us on WhatsApp, by phone or by email with your photograph, the pet's name and what you have in mind. We reply personally and put together a quote. A proof is shown before printing, and you can request changes. There is no minimum order, so a single card is entirely welcome. Everything is printed by production houses in major UK cities, and we ask for your date if there is one.
If you also want something a pet can wear, such as a bandana, see pet products and personalised gifts.
Can I use a photograph of the two of us together?
Of course. Many people want themselves in the picture, and it often becomes the one they treasure most.
What if I only have a few photos?
One good photograph is enough. Even a slightly small one can work on a card or canvas, and we will say if a different format would suit it better.
Can I add a paw print or drawing?
If you have a clear scan or photograph of one, we can place it on the design. Send it along and we will show you on the proof.
Is it all right to wait before ordering?
Absolutely. Some people order within days and some a year later. There is no deadline on remembering them.
Need a quote? We reply personally