I need some help building a memorial.

[burnin_vernon]

A few days ago, I lost my dog to a hiking accident and I want to install a sign of some kind to serve as a memorial and to warn others of the steep cliff at the lookout point.

I am not a handy/crafty person at all and I'm having trouble figuring out how to start. I'm visualizing sort of a signpost kind of setup, I guess. Here are some of the things I would like to include...

- It should be high enough to be visible (4-5 ft maybe)
- I want to have photos of my dog and some words honoring him and explaining the warning. I would probably get the local sign shop to print some images on durable canvas.
-It should be able to withstand the elements.
- I'd like to incorporate his old tennis balls into the memorial somehow.

I don't want it to be massive and to take away from the scenery, just noticeable. I want it to look good and last long and I'm afraid of butchering it. If there is anything I could just buy (and be able to incorporate the above things) instead of build, that's fine too.

I know this is kind of vague but I'm really stuck and I'm desperately hoping this gives me some kind of peace/closure.

[Hockeyguy15]

That is horrible, sorry about losing a good friend.

[ken0042]

The first thing I would ask- are you allowed to place a memorial there? I'd hate to see you put one up then have it taken down by some park official.

[afc wimbledon]

I would wait a few weeks before you do this, that said there is a huge difference between a memorial and a warning and you have to decide which, a good memorial would be a cairn of stones with a plaque on top, you could have that made in stone by your local headstone maker.

If you want a warning than a 5 or 6 foot high post with a brightly coloured sign is normal but in order to work as a warning it has to be very simple to understand at a distance, like a road sign, and that wouldn't be able to have information about your dog really.

[Cowperson]

Very sorry to hear of your loss and had you in mind yesterday actually as my two Golden's and I were walking up Windy Ridge, west of Turner Valley, and the steep cliffs that are there.

I'd say there is a difference between having a plaque, remembering your wonderful chum, in an out of the way place that most people would only find accidentally, where you could visit occasionally to remember him . . . . . . versus having a rather bold, purposeful sign next to a travelled path in a provincial or national park. If its the latter, Rangers will probably take it down if you don't have prior permission.

Good thought and I understand the reason why you want to give your pal's life a purpose but if you want a sign like that to linger, you probably need to talk to someone in charge again, assuming its in a park.

Secondly, I might say this sounds more like a public education project versus a memorial and, if so, there are more avenues open to you versus a sign in one particular spot and where you could still remember your dog. And, you could still do that out of the way thing for your dog too.

Good luck with your project.

Cowperson

[Clarkey]

Sorry about your dog. I have always worried about this outcome when I've been out with my dogs. They seem to have no issue walking right along the side of cliffs, peeking over edges etc. I try to be careful but I will be moreso after reading this.

[Kybosh]

I don't know the circumstances for this accident, but I always keep my dog on a leash when I head up a mountain. I'm always concerned that if she wasn't on a leash, she'd do something dangerous like chase a bear or jump around and slip off the side.

Really sorry for your loss.

[burnin_vernon]

It isn't a city trail so I think it would be safe there. In my eyes, I would pay tribute to my dog and at the end, a reminder to take extra caution around the edge.

[Sliver]

A vinyl (canvas) sign will only last ~10 years, so you'd probably want to stay away from that.

Sorry about your loss - that sounds really tough.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by burnin_vernon

It isn't a city trail so I think it would be safe there. In my eyes, I would pay tribute to my dog and at the end, a reminder to take extra caution around the edge.

A quick google found this as an "unofficial," self-constructed warning sign.

Below is a self-constructed attempt to weatherproof the documents and has room to tell your story. This is a family erected memorial to a son on Hawaii. Doesn't look to sturdy. you'd have to come back to maintain it.



Below, someone carved this but it might give you a starting point for an idea using wood, which would have greater permanence than the above. Probably not too expensive.




Metal plaque . . . . . this would last to the end of time and is the kind of thing I mentioned to you in your other thread is on a mountaintop, out of the way. You could probably have a photo of your dog etched into such a plaque. Probably somewhat expensive.




You could also have a tombstone carved with an image of your dog and the warning and leave it there . . . . it would also last forever. That would be somewhat expensive. I snuck a picture of my father's beloved dog on his tombstone as a matter of fact. Expensive.

Cowperson

[parch]

I'm so sorry for your loss. That's sooo sad Just awful. Hope you're doing ok...

I think some sort of memorial is a wonderful idea. I like the idea of a plaque, though you wouldn't be able to put your story on there.

[Pinner]

That's a sad story.

The west coast climate will be hard on anything.

Mount pictures, text, etc. to a piece of treated or stained plywood. (Windsor plywood will cut it for you) Then you can mount it to a tree with lag bolts, pre drill the holes in the plywood/plexi and use a ratchet to crank into the tree, probably have to start the bolts with a hammer.

You'll want to have plexiglass mounted to the face of the plywood, seal the edges and cover with 1"trim, (3/4" plywood + 1/4" plexiglass). That 90* corner trim would work well, and glue it + finish nails. You could put the lag bolts through both the plexi and plywood sealing with silicone just before tight. That would be better that counter sinking the bolts.

[afc wimbledon]

You might want to try an epoxy varnish rather than plexi glass, you can pour a 1/8 of an inch deep 'cover' which will set hard and be completely water proof, you can get it UV impervious as well.

[BigBrodieFan]

Sorry for your loss, it's good of you to try and help others who may be in the same danger/situation.

[ken0042]

A couple of random thoughts:

- Could you give the area where this happened an un-official name? Either name it after your little buddy, or a name that serve as a warning. That last one may be harder; but if it saves some other dog lover from having the same thing happen....
- Setup a webpage as a memorial; even a facebook page. Then at the bottom of the sign have the link so other regulars to that spot know the dangers.

Not sure what else to suggest. I was litteraly almost sick to my stomach when I read about what happened in the other thread. Be strong!