Why I started My Forever Pet

My name's Colin. This memorial idea came about from a sad period in my life, just after a personal bereavement. My mother moved to live near me in our village after losing my father — and she brought Bonnie the pug with her. Over the years that followed, I grew fond of Bonnie too.

Sadly, one day the inevitable happened and we had to say goodbye — but we didn't want to forget. I wanted to make my mum something to remember Bonnie by, in a lovely and personal way that would stand the test of time. So I set about making a bespoke likeness of Bonnie in 5mm steel. That's now many years ago, and it still looks like it did after its first year of weather.

That one piece, made for family, became My Forever Pet. Every memorial since has been made the same way — by hand, built to last outdoors, and carrying a name that mattered to someone.