By Sophie, co-founder of Beast + Bonbon. Updated October 2026.
Short answer: Start small and start now. Write a short bucket list of things your dog still enjoys, at their pace. Take everyday photos and short videos, record their sounds, and make a paw print. Talk to your vet early about comfort and end-of-life choices, so the time you have left can be about being together, not about decisions.
This guide is for you if your dog is old or sick and you know the time ahead is shorter than you want. It is not a shopping list. It is a set of small, doable ideas for the weeks or months you still have. If you are a friend looking for a way to help, our guide to a gift for someone whose dog is dying is written for you.
How do I make memories with my old or sick dog?
You make memories mostly through ordinary days, not big events. The walk around the block, the spot on the sofa and the way your dog greets you at the door are what you will miss. Slow down and notice them now.
Lap of Love, a veterinary hospice and in-home euthanasia provider, suggests three things for people facing a pet's decline: make a bucket list of things to do together, ask friends and family for help with care, and plan end-of-life choices with your vet ahead of time. This guide follows those three ideas.
If you already feel grief before your dog is gone, that is normal. It is called anticipatory grief. The bond is real: in a PLOS One study published in January 2026 of 975 UK adults, 21% of people who had lost a pet said it was the most distressing bereavement of their life. Be gentle with yourself.
What should be on a senior dog bucket list?
A good senior dog bucket list is short, simple and built around what your dog can still enjoy today. Skip anything that would tire or stress them. Pick by energy level:
| If your dog is... | Ideas to try |
|---|---|
| Still getting around | A favorite trail, a visit to the beach or lake they loved, a new place to sniff, a puppy cup at a dog-friendly cafe |
| Slowing down | A short sniff walk, a car ride with the window cracked, a visit from their favorite people, a wagon or stroller ride to the park |
| Mostly resting | A nap in the sun together, a night on your bed, a gentle brush, sitting in the yard while they smell the air |
For food treats, ask your vet what is safe first, since many older or sick dogs have a special diet. Write the list on paper and tick things off. If you only do two things, that is enough.
What photos, sounds and keepsakes should you capture now?
Capture the ordinary moments, and make sure you are in some of them. Many of us have lots of photos of our dog and very few of us together. Use this checklist:
- You and your dog: hand your phone to someone, or use the timer, and sit on the floor together.
- Close-ups: the gray muzzle, the paws, the ears, the eyes.
- Their spot: the bed, the window, the corner of the sofa.
- Short videos: the greeting at the door, the tail thump, the happy stretch.
- Sounds: a voice memo of the snore, the sigh, the bark.
- The whole family: one photo with everyone who loves this dog.
Daylight near a window, with your phone at your dog's eye level, gives the clearest photos. Our guide to the best photo for a custom pet portrait has more tips. Back the photos up, and print a few.
Paw prints and other small keepsakes
A paw print is easy to make at home with a clay kit or pet-safe ink and paper. Choose a calm moment, press the paw gently, and wipe it clean after. Ask your vet if your dog has sensitive skin. Some people also keep a small clip of fur in an envelope, or the collar and tags.
Why make a portrait while your dog is still here?
A portrait made now lets your dog use it and lets you choose the picture with them right in front of you. It does not have to be a memorial. It is simply your dog as they are today.
A few ways to do it:
- A photo session at home: a pet photographer can capture you together in your own space, with no travel for a tired dog.
- A framed illustration: a local illustrator can work from your favorite recent photo.
- A woven portrait blanket or pillow: your dog can nap on it now, and later it stays with you on the sofa.
What should you plan ahead with your vet?
Plan comfort and end-of-life choices with your vet before a crisis, so you are not deciding everything in one hard moment. Questions to talk through:
- Which signs of pain or discomfort should you watch for?
- How will you check quality of life from week to week?
- Would you like the goodbye to happen at home or at the clinic?
- Cremation or burial, and who you want there.
Then let people help. A friend can drive you to appointments, walk your dog on a hard day or bring dinner. Saying yes to help leaves you more time on the floor with your dog.
How our custom pet blanket works
- Our designers create your dog's portrait from your photo and check every detail by hand, then it is woven from 100% cotton yarn in the USA.
- Woven, not printed: the picture is made of the yarn, so there is no printed layer to fade, crack or peel.
- A free design proof arrives by email within 24 hours. Nothing is woven until you approve it.
- Sizes: Small 52" x 37" ($105), Medium 60" x 50" ($125) and Large 80" x 60" ($165). A woven pillow is $79.
- Delivery takes 8 to 12 days after you approve the proof.
See the custom pet woven blanket.
Questions people ask
What should I do before my dog dies?
Spend easy time together, write a short bucket list of things your dog still enjoys, and take photos and videos of ordinary moments. Make a paw print, and talk to your vet early about comfort and end-of-life choices so you are not deciding in a crisis.
What is a good bucket list for an old dog?
Keep it short and matched to their energy: a favorite walk or beach, a car ride, a visit from favorite people, a nap in the sun or a night on your bed. Check any special food treats with your vet first, and skip anything that tires them.
What photos should I take before my dog dies?
Take photos of you with your dog, close-ups of the face and paws, their favorite spot, and one with the whole family. Add short videos of everyday moments and a voice memo of their sounds. Shoot in daylight at their eye level.
Is it normal to grieve before my dog has died?
Yes. Feeling grief while your dog is still alive is common and is called anticipatory grief. Talking to your vet, leaning on friends and family, and spending calm time with your dog can all help you carry it.
Should I get a portrait made while my dog is still alive?
It can be a comforting choice. A portrait made now lets you pick the photo with your dog in front of you, and a blanket or pillow is something your dog can rest on today and you can keep afterward.
What is a meaningful gift for a friend whose dog is dying?
Time and help often mean the most: a ride to the vet, a dog walk, a meal. Thoughtful gifts include a home photo session, a paw print kit, or a portrait blanket the dog can still lie on.