When it’s time to order a memorial stone for a dog, one of the first questions is: what should actually be written on it? In the middle of grief, the right words are hard to find — and an inscription stays on the stone forever. We’ve gathered ready-to-use suggestions you can use as th
When it’s time to order a memorial stone for a dog, one of the first questions is: what should actually be written on it? In the middle of grief, the right words are hard to find — and an inscription stays on the stone forever. We’ve gathered ready-to-use suggestions you can use as they are or as inspiration for your own version.
What should a dog memorial inscription include?
The classic layout has three elements:
- The dog’s name — always first, often in bold or a larger font
- Dates — birth and passing (years alone are enough, exact dates aren’t required)
- A short farewell phrase — 1–2 lines capturing the bond
You don’t have to include everything at once. The name and dates alone already make a complete, dignified inscription — not everyone wants an elaborate text.
10 short, universal suggestions
- “Forever in our hearts”
- “Our most faithful friend”
- “Loved and never forgotten”
- “Here rests our loyal companion”
- “Thank you for every day together”
- “Your love stays with us forever”
- “Man’s best friend”
- “You slept at our feet, now you sleep in our hearts”
- “Gone, but never forgotten”
- “You were with us, you are in us”
5 warmer, more personal suggestions
- “You greeted us with joy every single day — thank you”
- “You taught us unconditional love”
- “Our shadow, our guardian, our friend”
- “For every walk, every wait by the door — thank you”
- “We miss your welcome home”
5 shorter suggestions, epitaph-style
- “Faithful to the end”
- “Loved without end”
- “Forever ours”
- “Sleep well, good boy”
- “Always faithful, always loved”
Can you add a photo instead of (or alongside) text?
Yes — more and more owners choose an engraved portrait of the dog instead of, or alongside, an inscription. Diamond engraving reproduces the fur, gaze and distinctive features of your pet on black granite — a portrait like this often says more than any text, and it won’t fade for decades.
An alternative is a colour porcelain photo — a full-colour photograph fired onto a ceramic plaque and set into the stone. Unlike black-and-white engraving, a porcelain photo faithfully reproduces your pet’s true colouring and markings, is resistant to UV and moisture, and is estimated to last over 100 years. See an example porcelain photo, 8×11 cm.
Practical tip: less is more
A dog memorial isn’t the place for a long essay. Short, concrete phrases work best — easy to read from a distance, requiring less stone, and leaving room for the name as the main element. If you’re torn between a few options, choose the shortest one — you can always elaborate in conversation, but simplicity works better on stone.
Order a memorial with your own inscription
We design the inscription (and any engraved portrait) together with you — you send the text and photo, and within 24 hours you get a free visualisation to approve before anything touches the stone. See our pet memorials and choose the form that best honours your dog’s memory. Questions? Email us: firma@cempulik.eu