Pet Memorial Lockets: How to Choose a Photo and Style
There's a particular kind of quiet that follows losing a pet. It's not always understood by everyone around you, but it's felt completely by anyone who's ever been greeted at the door by the same wagging tail every single day, or fallen asleep to the same steady purr. They aren't "just" a pet. They're a piece of your daily life, your routine, your comfort — and when they're gone, you want somewhere to put all that love that no longer has anywhere to go.
That's what a memorial locket is for.
We make a lot of these. More than you might think. And every single one reminds us why we started sealing photographs in resin in the first place — not just to preserve an image, but to preserve closeness. A locket doesn't ask you to move on. It just asks you to carry them with you, in a way that fits easily into your everyday life — clipped to your keys, tucked in your bag, resting against your chest.
Choosing the Right Style for a Pet Memorial
There's no single "correct" way to memorialize a pet — it really comes down to how you want to carry them.
- Keychain lockets (like The Walter, The Henry, or The Ozzie Clip) are a wonderful option if you want your pet with you in a way that feels active and everyday — clipped to your keys, your bag, or even a golf bag or leash. Several of our customers have chosen the Ozzie Clip specifically to hold a photo of a dog who's passed, and there's something fitting about a keepsake that travels with you the same way your pet once did.
- The Meow Meow Locket and The Puppy Locket are sweet, playful choices if you want something that reflects your pet's personality as much as your love for them — Meow Meow for cats, Puppy for dogs, each with a silhouette that celebrates who they were rather than just holding their photo.
- Necklace lockets, like The Dorothy or one of our smaller circle and square styles, are lovely if you'd rather carry the memory somewhere quieter and closer — worn under a sweater, resting near your heart, seen only when you choose to open it.
- Lapel pins are a subtle option for someone who wants to carry the memory at work or in more formal settings, without it being the center of attention.
If you're choosing this as a gift for someone else who's grieving a pet, it can help to think about how they move through their day — are they someone who'd want a locket visible and worn daily, or something small and private they can open only when they want to?
Picking the Right Photo
The photo you choose matters more than people expect, and thankfully, pets give us so many to choose from.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Close-up, well-lit photos work best. A clear shot of your pet's face — especially their eyes — tends to feel the most alive once it's resized and placed inside the locket.
- Action shots are meaningful, but framing matters. A photo of them mid-run or mid-leap can be a beautiful choice, just know that our team will crop in on what matters most to keep the moment recognizable at a smaller size.
- It's okay if it's not a "perfect" photo. Some of the most treasured lockets we make hold slightly blurry, candid photos — the ones taken in a hurry because someone wanted to capture that look, that moment. Memory doesn't need to be polished to be precious.
Not sure which photo to use? You're always welcome to send us more than one option in your order notes, and we're happy to help you choose the one that will translate best.
A Gift for Someone Who's Grieving
If you're shopping for a friend or family member who's lost a pet, know this: it's a genuinely thoughtful gift, even if it feels like a hard one to give. Grief over a pet is still grief, and having something tangible to hold — rather than just a phone full of photos — often means more than people expect.
A card with a simple note is enough. You don't need the perfect words. Something like "I know how much they meant to you — I hope this keeps them close" says everything it needs to.
Carrying Them With You
However you choose to remember them — clipped to your keys, resting near your heart, or tucked quietly into a drawer for the days you need it most — a locket holds space for a love that doesn't really end, it just changes shape.
If you're ready to create a memorial locket for your pet, or need help choosing the right style, we're here to help every step of the way.