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I had no idea, no idea that today is World Pet Memorial Day.
My mother told me this morning, so I put on my favorite accessory—my cultural awareness glasses.
According to the National Day Calendar, “every year on the second Tuesday in June, World Pet Memorial Day offers a time for pet owners to remember the furry companions that have passed away.”
My heart and mind immediately jumped to our small Moroccan dog, Samy, who we lost on August 22, 2022. I’ll never forget the day. He was 16 years old and had traveled the world with us— crossing oceans, countries, and continents.
He was a part of our family’s story, a part of our family’s story that came to a close that day.
I know I’m not the only one who has experienced the pain and grief of losing a beloved furry friend.
That means there are a lot of people around the globe who are affected by pet loss. Death is an inevitable part of life—for humans and animals.
Thankfully, we don’t have to forget our loving, four-legged companions.
How to Intentionally Remember
National Pet Calendar suggests some practical ways to honor our pets on World Pet Memorial Day.
- Create a memorial stone for your pet and place it in your garden or walkway.
- Plant a tree or flower in memory of your pet.
- Donate to your local humane society or animal rescue group in honor of your pet.
- Gather photos of your pet and make a photo album.
- Draw or paint a picture of your pet or have a picture painted by a local artist.
- Get a tattoo in memory of your pet.
The way I remember and honor my pets is by writing about them. You probably aren’t surprised! I’m in the process of writing a children’s book about Samy who was truly a “World Traveling Dog” and also a memoir of Samy and our family. Maybe I can launch those books on World Pet Memorial Day 2025!
In the meantime, I remembered a short writing piece I published on Medium last year, called “Empty Arms,” in response to a writing prompt called “Pets.” I just re-read it and thought I would share it with you, too.
Happy World Pet Memorial Day! Let’s remember all the good times with our wonderful, furry companions. They live in our hearts forever!
—The Cultural Story-Weaver
My Gift to You—Get Your Free Ebook—”The 5-Day Journey to Cultural Awareness”!
Let’s Weave Cultures!
Have you or someone you know recently lost a furry friend? Or perhaps it was decades ago, but you still want to remember them. What can you do today to honor them and remember?
We invite you to tell us your own cultural stories and global adventures . . . as you engage with the world, breaking down barriers, building bridges, and “weaving cultures”! Write about them in the comment box below.
Hey Marci…was wondering if you had sent me another copy of Strawberry Girls for Gracelands’ library.
Tom
I sent it to you.