Sayings for Loss of a Pet: 40+ Short Words to Engrave

Choosing words for a pet memorial keepsake is harder than it looks. You have a few centimetres of metal and a lifetime of walks, naps and stolen toast to sum up. If you're searching for sayings for loss of a pet, this list is here to help you find something short, true and yours.

Every line below is original and written with engraving in mind, so they're all short. Use them as they are, or change a word or two until they sound like you.

Why shorter engraves better

On a small pendant, fewer characters mean larger, clearer letters. A name, a date, or three or four words will read cleanly for years. Longer sentences have to be engraved smaller, and fine lettering is harder to read at a glance. If you have a longer message in your heart, write it in a card and engrave the short version.

On our double-sided nose print pendant, your pet's nose print goes on the front and a name or short text goes on the back. Within 24 hours of your order we email you to confirm your print and engraving, and nothing is engraved until you approve. Check the exact wording, spelling, capitals and dates carefully at that point, because we engrave the text you approve.

How to choose sayings for loss of a pet

There's no right answer, but a few questions can help you narrow it down.

• What did your days together look like? Early walks, the same spot on the couch, a head on your knee at dinner. A line that points to a routine often means more than a grand statement.
• What would make you smile on a hard day? Memorial words don't have to be solemn. A nickname or an in-joke can be the most comforting thing to find on the back of a pendant.
• Who is it for? If the keepsake is a gift, the owner should choose the words, or at least approve them. Our guide to pet memorial gift ideas has more on asking gently.
• Will it still feel right in ten years? Names, dates and simple words of love tend to age well.

Many people find that the most fitting words are the ones they already said every day: good girl, my boy, love you, see you soon.

Names and dates

The simplest option, and one of the most loved. Some formats that engrave well:

• Milo
• Our Milo
• Milo 2012–2026
• Milo · 14.03.2012
• Milo, forever 13
• M · 2012–2026
• Milo & Bean
• A favourite place, as coordinates: 33.89°S 151.27°E

Coordinates are a lovely, private option: the beach where you walked every morning, the backyard, the place you first met. Look them up in a map app and round to two decimal places to keep the line short.

Short and sweet (under 20 characters)

These fit comfortably on the back of a small pendant.

• Always my good boy
• Always my girl
• Forever my shadow
• Still by my side
• Paws on my heart
• Loved every day
• Missed every day
• My best friend
• Home was you
• Until we meet again
• Walk with me
• Always yours
• Forever loved
• Heart of our home
• My little love

Short dog memorial quotes

Dog memorial quotes work best when they catch something your dog actually did. These are a starting point.

• Best walks, best friend
• Still waiting at the gate
• Forever chasing sunshine
• You were worth the mud
• Run free, sweet boy
• Run free, sweet girl
• Good dog. Best dog.
• My heart has four paws
• Every walk was better with you
• See you at the Rainbow Bridge
• Thank you for every tail wag

Pet memorial quotes for cats

Cats tend to inspire quieter lines, with a little dignity and a little attitude.

• You chose me
• Nine lives, one love
• Forever in my sunny spot
• Curled up in my heart
• Still purring in my heart
• Queen of the windowsill
• King of the couch
• Small cat, big love
• Soft paws, big heart

For pets still with us

Not every keepsake is a memorial. Plenty of people engrave a piece while their pet is very much alive and asking for dinner. A nose print necklace with one of these on the back makes a fun, personal gift.

• My heart on four legs
• Boop
• Adopted 2021, loved always
• Chief nap officer
• Proud dog mum
• Proud cat mum
• Who rescued who?
• My favourite hello

What to engrave: a few tips

• Say it out loud. If it sounds like something you'd say to them, it's probably right.
• Use their nickname. The name on the vet file is rarely the one you actually called them.
• Think about who will see it. Something private can be very short: an initial, a date, a place.
• Keep punctuation simple. Letters, numbers and basic punctuation are the safest choice. If you'd like a symbol, mention it in your order and we'll confirm with you before engraving.
• Check your dates. Write them the way you read them. In Australia 03.04 means 3 April, but not everyone reads it that way, so spelling out the month or using just the years avoids confusion.
• Sleep on it. If you're torn between two lines, pick one and look at it again the next day.

Engraving other memorial keepsakes

The same lines work on garden stones, photo frames, urns and cards. On larger items there's more room, so you might combine a name, dates and one short line, for example the pet's name on the first line, their years on the second, and "Still by my side" beneath. On a small pendant, pick just one of those.

If you're still collecting a print for the front of the pendant, our guide on how to take a dog nose print covers photos, ink and what to do if your pet has already passed.

When you've found your words, our pet memorial jewellery pairs them with your pet's real nose print. Take your time choosing. There's no rush.

For more short lines, see our Rainbow Bridge engraving ideas, or browse pet memorial ideas beyond engraving.