Pets work their way into Christmas in specific ways: the stocking hung low enough to reach, the wrapping paper they sat in the middle of, the one ornament that got knocked off the same branch every year. The first tree after a dog or cat dies brings those absences into the room. A small ornament with the name can hang low, where theirs used to patrol.
What goes on a pet memorial ornament
- The name, and the years. "2011–2024" keeps the full span; "thirteen good years" sounds more like something a family might say at home.
- A short line. "Waiting at the door," "the goodest boy," "our shadow, our friend." The wording guide has a group written for pets.
- A paw print, sometimes their actual one if the vet took an impression.
- The rainbow bridge. From the poem about the meadow where pets wait; the bridge designs come straight from it.
- A portrait from a photo. One clear picture becomes a watercolor or line-art version of the actual animal, not a generic breed.
Create your own
A portrait of the actual pet
Upload one clear photo and see the portrait before anything is made. The name and years go underneath.
Start with a photo→
Preview first
Giving one to someone who lost their pet
A friend who lost her dog in March probably will not bring it up in December. An ornament with his name is a way of saying you remember him too. If you can quietly find a good photo in an old post, the portrait version is worth the extra step, and the preview means you see the drawing before anything is made.
Good to know
Questions people ask
Dog and cat designs only?
Mostly, but not only. Rabbits, birds and horses appear in the portrait designs, since those are drawn from your photo rather than from a breed template.
What if we had more than one?
Separate ornaments give each pet a clear face, name, and set of years. Hang them together when you want that corner of the tree to grow with the animals the family remembers.
What should it say?
The name alone is enough. Add the years for a complete record, or use one short line that sounds like the pet: “thirteen good years,” “our shadow,” or a phrase the family already used.
When should I order for Christmas?
Personalized pieces are made to order. December 10 is the safe cutoff for standard shipping; portrait pieces are best ordered by December 5.
From the Ornamagic studio
From our studio
Our own pet designs are made to order, portraits included. You see the preview before anything is made.
Seasonal reminders
Three emails a year. That's the whole list.
September (order early), late October (personalization deadlines), late November (last shipping day). Plus 10% off your first ornament.