When my beloved Lori (German shepherd) passed three years ago at the age of 12, I asked the vet to put her nose print and paw print on a piece of cardstock. I mounted that in a box frame with her picture, pedigree, and the tag from her collar, and put it on the mantle as she always loved lying in front of the fire.
When I look over to where she used to cozy up I now see her "keeping guard" above my new shepherd.
Our fur children are sometimes the only truly unconditional love we know. They're precious, and it hurts when they go. I'm sorry for your loss.
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~MissChess