Meaningful Memorial
Camp Bow Wow Honors Memory of Departed Pups
By Camp Bow Wow
Zoey, Ivan, Shadow, Sketches, Halo.
Each name represents a beloved furry family member who’s crossed the rainbow bridge. It’s obvious to the Camp Bow Wow family – staff and clients alike – how much every beloved pup will be missed. Staff members decided to take a cue from the Mexican Dia de Los Muertos custom of honoring the memory of departed family members and set up memorials at their locations in San Antonio and Austin.
“We always send cards to our pup parents when one passes, but we felt like we needed to do something more – we wanted to honor all the dogs collectively,” said Shawn Fritschle, who has led the team at Camp Bow Wow’s Northwest location for nine years. “They are like family to us,” she continued. “We miss them when they are gone.”
Many in San Antonio have long observed Dia de Los Muertos, a holiday that celebrates the lives of family members no longer alive. Dia de Los Muertos has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, calling it “a defining expression of
Mexican culture.”
It’s traditionally celebrated from Oct. 31-Nov. 2, coinciding with All Soul’s Day. Although decorations often include stylized skulls made popular by Frida Kahlo, it is not to be confused with Halloween. There are no tricks or treats, and the skulls aren’t meant to be scary. Dia de Los Muertos is all about remembrance and honor.
Camp Bow Wow celebrates Halloween until Oct. 31 then switches the decorations after closing that day. “We don’t want to cross with Halloween, we want to be respectful,” Shawn said.
This will be at least the fourth year Camp Bow Wow has invited their clients to send in a picture of their departed pup along with a special item. Shawn sets the pictures in brightly colored frames flanked by candles and marigolds on tables covered with Mexican blankets in the lobby. Small canine skeletons and favorite toys grace some of the pictures.
Shawn personally hand paints and decorates each frame for her Camp’s memorial. “I actually cry while I make the dogs' posters. I know all the dogs since I’ve been here
so long.”
Shawn also posted a video on Facebook that showcases the memorial and highlights each pup’s picture, complete with the song “Remember Me” from the movie Coco.
“Remember me
Though I have to say goodbye
Remember me
Don't let it make you cry
For even if I'm far away I hold you in my heart …
Until you are in my arms again.
Remember me”
“It’s such a positive thing. It is not dark. It’s about life and remembering that life,” she said. “The music is
sad, but you have to smile with it because you have
fond memories.”
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Shawn remembers one client who stood looking at his pup’s picture with shoulders shaking. Others come in and take time to look at each one.
“Everyone thanks us and says they are so glad we do it, even if their dog hasn’t had to be up there yet,” she said. Shawn offers pup parents the option to keep their framed photo after the memorial comes down November 3.
“These pups mean a lot to the staff, too,” she said. “That’s why we do this. We understand, these pups are like their children. There’s no, ‘just dog’ at our Camp. This underscores how we all feel about the place of importance these pups hold in their owner’s lives.”
While nothing can completely erase the pain of losing a furry family member, participating in Dia de Los Muertos keeps their memory alive. Some clients continue to send a picture every year. “It is so sweet they are still remembered,” Shawn said.
