Pet Memorial Garden Slate — Laser-Engraved Portrait or Paw Print, Round or Square

A marker for the garden — and for the heart

There is something right about putting a memorial in the garden. The place where they lay in the sun. The corner they always made their own. A garden memorial does not need to be grand — it just needs to be there, solid and quiet and specifically theirs. A piece of stone with their name. A reminder that they lived here, with you, in this space.

Each slate marker is laser-engraved with your pet’s name and the years they were with you, with either their portrait or a paw print above. Choose the shape — round or square — and whether you want a portrait made from a photo you send us, or a clean decorative paw print. Natural slate, made to last through seasons. Made by hand in Calgary by Michelle and Evan — two people with two senior cats of their own, who understand what this space is for.

What to send before checkout

1. Your pet’s name — exact spelling
   Engraved in large, clear lettering below the portrait or paw print. Up to 10 characters — this includes letters, spaces, and punctuation. Double-check the spelling before you send it.
2. Your date or year range
   Engraved below the name. Any format works — a range (2010–2025), a single year (2025), or a specific date (May 15 2025). Write it exactly as you want it engraved.
3. If you chose pet portrait — a clear photo of your pet
   JPG or PNG, minimum 800 × 800 px. A forward-facing portrait in natural light works best. Not sure if yours will work? Send it to us first — we will let you know before anything is engraved.
4. If you chose paw print — a clear photo of your pet’s paw print
   Send us a photo of your pet’s paw. See the photo tips below.

Photo tips

For pet portrait: A forward-facing photo where your pet’s face is well-lit and unobstructed gives the clearest engraving. Phone photos in natural daylight are usually perfect. If you are unsure whether yours will work, send it before ordering — we will let you know.

For paw print: Press your pet’s paw gently onto a clean white piece of paper using a non-toxic washable ink pad, then photograph the impression straight-on in natural light. If your pet will not cooperate, a clear photo of the underside of their paw pad also works. Avoid blurry or angled shots, or prints where toes are partially obscured.

If your pet has passed and you no longer have them to photograph: An older photo of their face or paw pad, or a previous ink or clay paw print impression photographed clearly, can often work well. Send us what you have and we will tell you what is possible before you order.

Materials and making

Each piece begins as a slab of natural slate — irregular at the edge, consistent in its dark grey surface, and subtly different from piece to piece in the way that natural stone always is. The portrait or paw print is converted by hand from your photo into a laser-ready design, calibrated for the particular contrast of engraving on slate. All text and imagery is laser-engraved directly into the stone surface — the engraving cuts into the slate itself, revealing the lighter layer beneath, which is why the text reads as a clean near-white against the dark stone.

What’s included:

• One laser-engraved natural slate memorial marker in your chosen shape
• Basswood display easel

Size

The round garden slate are approximately 10 cm (4″) in diameter. The square garden slate are approximately 10 × 10 cm. Both are substantial enough to read clearly in a garden bed, on a patio, or along a path, without dominating the space. The natural edge of the slate means each piece is slightly unique in outline — the overall dimensions are consistent, but exact edges vary as they do with all natural stone. When propped on the basswood easel, the coaster stands approximately 11 cm tall — about the height of a standard tea light holder — and faces forward cleanly on a shelf or windowsill.

Giving this to someone who has just lost a pet — or to someone whose garden is the place they most feel their absence? A marker in the garden is a gift that does not ask anything of the person receiving it. It just says: this place is theirs, still. We include a free handwritten gift note with every order. Leave your message at checkout and we can ship directly to your recipient with no invoice enclosed.

Natural slate is durable and weatherproof — it can remain outdoors through Canadian seasons without sealing or treatment, though bringing it under cover during severe freeze-thaw cycles will extend its life. The engraving is permanent and will not fade with outdoor exposure.

Because every slate is made to order and engraved with your pet’s name, we are unable to accept returns or exchanges. If something arrives damaged or does not match what was agreed, please reach out within 7 days with a photo — we will always make it right. Send us a message any time before or after ordering.

Questions about this piece

Can this be used outdoors year-round in Canada?
Yes. Natural slate handles outdoor conditions well and is frost-resistant in normal garden conditions. During extended periods of severe freeze-thaw cycling — particularly if water can pool on the surface — bringing it under cover will help preserve it long-term. The laser engraving is permanent and will not be affected by rain, sun, or snow.

What is the difference between the portrait and paw print options?
The portrait design features an engraved likeness of your specific pet, made from a photo you send us — it captures their face and expression. The paw print design made from a paw print photo you send us, if you are not able to send us one, we will use a clean decorative paw print graphic which does not require a photo. Both carry your pet’s name and date in the same format.

What counts toward the 10-character name limit?
Letters, spaces, and punctuation all count. “Charlie” is 7 characters and fits comfortably. If your pet’s name is longer, reach out before ordering and we can discuss how it would fit — sometimes a slightly smaller text size or a layout adjustment works well.

Do you send a proof before engraving?
Yes — we always send a preview for your approval before anything is cut into the slate.

Can the slate be used indoors as well as in the garden?
Yes — it works equally well on an indoor shelf, a windowsill, or any place that holds meaning. There is no requirement that it be used outdoors. Place it wherever feels right for you and for them. A basswood display easel is provided so that you can use it for holding the garden slate indoor as well.