The idea for Black Paw Memorial Pin came to life when I was sitting at the hair salon…while that might sound strange…innovative ideas can come at any time, anywhere…
After many years of living in Manhattan not near my Mother, I moved during Covid, and now we live within 30 minutes of each other. Seizing on that opportunity, she had begun to make a habit of popping in when I was at the hair salon (for those of you familiar, that can take hours and the company was always welcome). Soon she got to know everyone there and they
too would await her arrival when I would hop into the chair...
So back to the salon… about a year into this routine, my Mom came by a little later than usual to the salon…but lost was her cheerfulness and energy. She was just, well, sad. Our usual group, who had been asking where she was, upon seeing her walk toward us, began to look at one another and ask if she was ok...
At that moment, I let them all know that her beloved dog of 15 years had passed away...
Having to say this aloud and watching everyone’s reaction, including my Mother’s, was a profound moment...
Within minutes, word spread and other people in the salon joined in and almost everyone shared a memory or words of comfort, support and understanding...
It was one of those moments where time stood still…as I observed…
An instant later, I thought why isn’t there a pin? A symbol that speaks for the grieving person that lost their beloved pet. Just a small, but visible signal that will instantly let people know they are grieving and why…and that will allow others to recognize them and their circumstances, talk with them and maybe, hopefully be of some comfort.
Before we left the salon that day…Black Paw Memorial Pin came to life (at least in my mind…)...
I couldn’t stop thinking about it and then talking about it …and
here we are…
... Hilarie Viener, Founder
The BLACK PAW MEMORIAL PIN is for anyone who has lost their beloved, faithful pet. As a way to honor their memory, and to let everyone know that they are in mourning and perhaps could use a little extra kindness in their time of sorrow.
