A tombstone for Dash.

[KevT]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I have been there a couple of times and it is the hardest thing I have gone through. I just remember to try and be the person they thought I was.

 

[amaxwell]

Thanks for the thoughts guys. I had dogs growing up but never got this attached. Dash is the only dog I've owned as an adult. He grew up with my kids. Never thought a dog would mean so much to me. Anyway, I think I found the answer to my question: Dremel makes tungsten carbide carving bits that should do the trick. I'll clean up the face of the stone and have my wife trace out the letters and I should be able to carve them in with these bits. I'll post pictures if/when I get it done.

I hope the Dremel works for you, if not a local monument company should be able to carve it for you. I know they can come out and carve death dates after a monument has been set in place. Sorry for your loss . I have been in your place, and it sure hurts to loose your best pal. Just remember the good times you had together .

 

[mark02tj]

Can't help with the tombstone (although I am definitely interested in the advice!), but I am sorry for your loss. Like someone else, your story brought tears to my eyes and the picture of Dash kept them coming. I am truly sorry for your loss.

I work from home and my best bud, Clyde (a yellow lab from the shelter) snores happily under my desk in between trips outside to the check the mail and toss the ball.

 

[rekees4300]

Dremel makes tungsten carbide carving bits that should do the trick.

Sorry for your loss. If the carbide bit doesn't do the job, diamond is also available.

Dremel 9929 Engraver Diamond Point Bit - Engraver Pen - Amazon.com

 

[KiotiKowboy]

I know nothing of carving the stone - but my heart goes out to you.

We lost one of our precious goldens, Maggie, a few months ago. She was only 8. I can still get emotional if I let myself think of her.

We've lost a few of our beloved pets over the last few years - each of them special in their own way. We have selected a site in the center of our largest pasture to place them. We planted Oak trees to mark & protect the location. Each of our pets is wrapped in an antique hand-made quilt and laid to rest with great care and prayer.

Our plan is to find a beautiful marker, something around 6' and also an ornate park bench to place near them. When the trees have grown a little larger, this will be a place to sit and remember the blessing we had from each of them.

 

[Jstpssng]

I can't help you with his tombstone, but I know how you feel. My lab had just turned 14 when I had her put down... I probably waited too long but wanted to spend one last Christmas with her. When the time came I told her to get in the truck but she wouldn't do it... although she had arthritis in 4 legs we walked the 1/4 mile frontage of my property one last time.

When the time is right you'll get another. 14 months had passed, I was planning on taking a week off and wishing that I had a dog when a coworker showed up with an underfed, very timid lab who had spent the first year of his life tied out and was being treated for lungworm (apparently from eating slugs to survive) and asked if I could give him a home. That was >3 years ago; we changed his name from Harley to Ruger, who is no longer underfed, and he's certainly NOT timid.

 

[MossRoad]

Sorry about your pup. I have a friend that had a rock engraved for his dog. I'll ask him how he had it done if he's around.

 

[MossRoad]

Sorry about your pup. I have a friend that had a rock engraved for his dog. I'll ask him how he had it done if he's around.

He was home. He said he took the rock to a local memorial/monument company (gravestone company) and they came up with a design and did it for him. He said the monument guy could also come on-site if the rock was too big, but that would cost extra. I guess they go out to cemeteries all the time to work on monuments and tombstones all the time. Anyhow, they did a real nice job for him.

 

[MossRoad]

...

You and JPRambo mentioned sandblasting. I think my brother in law has one. So it would cut around the stencil and the letters would be raised?

No, the opposite. The sand eats the stone inside the template and the template protects the rest of the stone. Tombstone companies use rubber masks. I had a schoolmate whose family owned a monument company and lived across the street from the cemetery that we lived next to.

 

[MossRoad]

Thinking about it, you can also reverse mask things to get a raised effect, too.