This memorial portrait was made from knitted yarn.
It’s a memorial item made using a photo of our beloved dog, Mukku.
These are photos sent to us by our customers.
Many photos and mementos are displayed on the altar.
The cushion in the back is a knitted cushion made in our shop.
We are knit artisans who create custom-made knit products from beloved pet photos. Alongside our knitting work, we craft memorial pieces that help families keep their pets close to their hearts.
Today, I’d like to talk about pet memorial portraits—the photos or artwork often displayed on a pet altar after a beloved dog or cat has passed away.
A memorial portrait carries deep meaning. When our family dog passed away many years ago, setting up a home altar for pets was still quite rare. At that time, there were no original memorial goods available, so in our home we simply placed a photo in a frame and created an album filled with happy memories.
Years later, I finally decorated a small altar for my dog. It was only then that I realized how important a memorial portrait truly is.
First, it helps us process our grief and come to terms with loss.
Second, it creates a special place in our home where our pet can continue to belong, even after they are gone.
Although my beloved dog has already crossed the rainbow bridge, by creating a special place for him inside my home, it still feels as if Muku is here with us.
I can talk to him whenever I want, and having this little corner feels like creating a place for him to come back to. That gives me a deep sense of comfort and peace. It has also become a place of healing for my own heart.
Sometimes customers tearfully thank me for this idea, and I realize I truly understand how they feel. Many people live while quietly carrying their grief, but I encourage you to create a pet memorial altar in your home. It can become a safe space for your heart.
In my own house, I keep many photos of my late dog on display. Because I create custom pet memorial goods, I often bring samples home for photos, so my home is filled with these keepsakes. Each one holds precious memories, and together they make me feel as though I am still living with my beloved companion.
I hope that you, too, can feel the same sense of comfort and closeness with your pets through creating a memorial space.
About creating a memorial portrait
Our work is not just about creating beautiful products.
When making custom pet memorial goods by knitting with yarn instead of printing, having a clear photo is important—but there is something even more meaningful than photo quality.
Choosing the Right Photo for Pet Memorial Products
We always recommend using a clear, high-quality photo for the best results. However, some customers only have older photos, which may be blurry or low in resolution. In some cases, the most cherished photo of a beloved pet is not the sharpest one—and still, that is the photo owners want us to use.
If the photo quality is poor, the finished design may look softer or less detailed. Yet for pet owners, it remains an irreplaceable moment captured in time. Even with imperfections, these keepsakes often bring the greatest joy, because they preserve a memory that cannot be replaced.
Of course, we always strive to create the most beautiful work possible. But in the end, the most important thing is not perfection—it is honoring the memory of a pet and creating a product that truly comforts the owner’s heart.
👉 See also: What Makes a Good Photo for Creating Pet Memorial Products
Creating from Old Photos
We also receive orders made from old pet photos—sometimes faded printed pictures, or even black-and-white photographs from many years ago. In these cases, we kindly ask customers to understand in advance that the final design may not be as sharp or detailed as a modern photo.
Since each design is drawn by hand, we can often smooth out some of the roughness and bring the image back to life through our knitting.
After delivery, many customers share their joy with us, saying:
“It brought back old memories.”
“Thank you for recreating so much from this old photo.”
These words remind us that even from faded or aged pictures, it is possible to create pet memorial keepsakes that carry deep emotional meaning.
Customer Voice
Here is one of the heartfelt reviews we received:
Naoko writes:
“Thank you very much. My beloved dog, who had been with me for 16 years, passed away. I cried every single day and couldn’t even bring myself to open the box of Amimono Art that I had ordered.
As time passed, I told myself that for my dog’s sake, I needed to find the strength to move forward. When I finally opened the package, I was overwhelmed—it felt as if my dog had truly come back home. I was so moved that I could hardly believe it.
I no longer feel alone. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”
I didn’t ask for details when I placed the order, but after reading the reviews I learned that the dog was a deceased dog.
Many customers also talk about how they feel after losing a pet when placing their order. If you’d like, please let me know how you feel when you place your order. I’ll do my best to be of emotional support.
The Right Time to Order a Pet Memorial Altar
When you first think about creating a pet memorial altar, the loss is often still fresh, and the grief can feel overwhelming. In the beginning, some people even hesitate to display a single photo. At such a time, it may be best not to force yourself to act before you are ready.
We have experienced this ourselves. After our beloved dog passed away, the house felt unbearably quiet, and many days were spent in tears whenever a memory surfaced.
But with time, our hearts gradually began to heal. A few years later, we found ourselves able to smile again while talking about our dog. That may be the right moment to create a keepsake or display cherished memories.
Memorial Ceremonies and Shared Remembrance
Some people choose to bring an original memorial board to the temple during their pet’s 49th-day memorial or one-year anniversary ceremony. While we did not hold such a ceremony ourselves, our dog Muku was placed in a shared memorial monument, where once a year the temple priest chants sutras for all the pets.
On that day, the parking lot overflows with cars, and even nearby roads fill with visitors. It is clear that Muku has many friends there, and he does not seem lonely at all.
Many families bring their pets’ memorial photos to these gatherings. It shows how much pets are truly considered part of the family—sometimes even more than family.
Our Cats at Home
One day, the cats who live with us now will also rest in the same place as our beloved dog did.
It is a sad thought, but having gone through a serious illness myself, I have been given the chance to reflect deeply on life. When our dog Muku passed away and crossed the rainbow bridge, I felt nothing but sorrow. But now, I am more able to accept the cycle of life and death.
When the time comes for our cats to leave this world, I know I will be overwhelmed with grief. Yet at the same time, I feel I will be able to say, “Thank you for everything. Please continue to live happily in heaven.”
(Of course, I know I will still be heartbroken when that moment comes…)
Living Without Regret
To avoid future regrets after parting with my pets, I try to do everything I can for them now. That means playing together, taking care of their food and litter, and making sure they live in a stress-free environment.
It may sound simple, but I believe these small daily acts are the best way to show my love and gratitude to them while they are here with me.
Maro is a selfish son, but also a kind and spoiled child.
