How To Make A Shadow Box Memorial Layout For Your Dog

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I will show you how to make a shadow box memorial layout for your dog. This a beautiful way to remember your cherished dog with this shadow box memorial idea for your dog. This is a quick and easy craft you can do in and hour or two in the afternoon or on the weekend! Here you can see I have collected pictures, my dog’s tag from his collar, an ink paw print, and a salt dough paw print.

The best time to start your dog’s memorial shadow box picture frame layout is when they are still alive and kicking. That way you can get their paw print stamped in ink, salt dough, or clay. You can always add to your dog’s shadow box layout later, as time goes on.

What You Will Need To Make A Shadow Box Memorial Layout For Your Dog

To make this dog memorial shadow box you will need to collect the supplies:

Links to Amazon

• Fun pictures of your dog

• Your dog’s collar or tags

• A shadow box picture frame

• Ink paw print (This kit makes it completely mess free!)

• Clay or salt dough paw print (Post on how to make salt dough.)

• Fun pet theme scrapbook paper

• Double sided tape or pins

• Ribbon

• Meaningful embellishments

How To Decorate A Shadow Box Memorial Layout For Your Dog

Here are other shadow box memorial layout ideas for your pets. I did a memorial shadow box picture frame layout for each of our pets. To date, our cats are still alive but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity of getting their paw prints in the salt dough.

I used the double sided sticky tape to secure the pictures and ink paw prints to the pet theme scrapbook paper. While heavier keepsake items like the collars and salt dough paw prints, I used long pins to hold them in place. I pushed the pins into the shadow box backing until the heavier items were secure.

You can decorate the inside of your dog memorial shadow box picture frame any way you want! You get to decide what is important and special to you about your beloved dog. Here I have included my dog’s papered name since he was registered, his tag, and important dates.

Paw Print Ideas For A Shadow Box Memorial Layout For Your Dog

You can decide if you want to do ink or salt dough paw prints of your dog. I did before we had to put our very sick dog down. I used white ink to do his paw print and then used a heart shaped stencil to cut his paw print out of the black paper. I had to do a couple of ink prints of his paw before deciding which one to use in the shadow box layout.

Here is a mess free ink kit that I found on Amazon that you can use to do your pet’s paw print. It makes it so easy and I don’t have to worry about my cats leaving kitty paw print anywhere in the house. It all so works great for small children’s hand and footprints too!

I also did a salt dough print of his paw. He didn’t mind so much since he already lost feeling in his back legs. However, the cats on the other hand were not so excited about me doing their paw prints that same day.

You can use my recipe for salt dough (Full instructions on how to do a pet paw print!) to make paw print molds of your dog’s paw! Here is an example, I used for my own dog’s memorial shadow box. I used a cookie cutter for the shape and a small alphabet stamp set to put his names with his paw print.

Using a crayon to color in your dry salt dough paw print works fine. I colored in my dog’s paw prints with a crayon in this example. However, melting the crayon into your salt dough pet paw is not such a good idea.

I did try melting the crayon wax in the paw print. However, the wax left a stain on the dry salt dough, as the wax soaks into it. You can see an example of that on the dog’s paw print where his toenail was.

Using paint or a marker is also an excellent color option in your salt dough paw print. You are not limited to just putting the salt dough paw print in a shadow box. You can make a paw print Christmas ornament of your furry friend too. This is a great way to have a keepsake of your pet before they pass.

If you want to learn more about making a shadow box memorial layout for your cat check out this post!

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I hope your enjoyed this craft tutorial on how to make a shadow box memorial layout for your dog as much as I do! Please share this craft tutorial on social media because sharing is caring!

I make a commission from purchases made through links in my posts, at no extra cost to you. Read my disclosure for more information.

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