Paw Prints, Clay and Keepsakes: Choosing a Memorial in Albuquerque

Clay has been part of life in the Rio Grande Valley for a very long time. Pottery from the Pueblos, the potters working in studios around Albuquerque and Corrales, the clay ornaments and tiles you see at markets in Old Town: it is a material people here know and love. So it is no surprise that many Albuquerque families, when a pet dies, are drawn to keepsakes made from clay.

If you are thinking about how to remember your pet, here is a gentle guide to some of the options and how to choose the ones that will mean the most.

Clay paw prints

A paw print pressed in clay is one of the most common and cherished keepsakes. It captures something completely individual: the size of the pads, the spread of the toes, sometimes the mark of a claw. Many families keep a print on a shelf, hang it on the wall, or set it in the garden.

If you would like a paw print, let us know when you call. We can make one before cremation. Some families prefer to make a print themselves while their pet is still living, especially during a long illness, so that it can be done gently and without hurry. Air-dry and oven-bake clays work well for this, and Albuquerque's dry air helps air-dry clay set without cracking from slow drying.

Urns that feel like they belong in your home

An urn does not need to look like it came from a catalog. Many families want something that fits the way their home looks and feels. In Albuquerque, that might mean a ceramic jar from a local potter, a carved wooden box, or a piece with colors that echo the Sandias at sunset.

If you choose a handmade vessel, a few practical points help:

• Ask us roughly how much volume your pet's ashes will need, based on their size
• Choose a container with a lid that closes securely, or plan to keep the ashes in a sealed inner bag
• Consider where it will sit and whether children or other pets could knock it over

Keepsakes for more than one person

When a family pet dies, several people may want something to keep. Small keepsake urns, pendants that hold a tiny amount of ashes, or a few paw prints made at the same time allow each person to have their own piece of remembrance. Adult children who have moved away often appreciate this especially.

Keepsakes that suit the high desert

Albuquerque's dry climate is kind to many materials. Paper, photographs and fabric keepsakes like a collar or a favorite blanket tend to hold up well here, as long as they are kept out of strong sunlight, which fades colors quickly at our altitude. A shadow box away from a south-facing window can protect a collar, a tag and a photograph for many years.

What families say is worth it

Over time, families often tell us that the simplest keepsakes are the ones they treasure most: a paw print, a tag, a handful of photographs, a lock of fur. Expensive items can be lovely, but there is no need to buy anything in the first days of grief. Many people find it helps to wait a few weeks, until they know what they actually want to see every day.

Remembering in your own way

Some Albuquerque families include a pet's photo or paw print on a family altar during the fall, or place a farolito for them on a winter evening. Others plant something hardy in the yard, like a desert willow or a patch of penstemon, near where their pet loved to lie. There is no right way to remember. The best memorial is one that brings you a little comfort when you see it.

If you would like a paw print, a fur clipping, or help choosing an urn for your pet's ashes, just ask when you call. We are here for families throughout Albuquerque and the surrounding communities, day and night.

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