Marion Woman Turns Pet Loss Into Healing Keepsake Business

There's nothing like the first day you meet your rescue pup.

"When I met him, he came right up to me and gave me a kiss," Marion's Justine Iacaponi recalled. "He was so calm, so sweet, loved car rides, hiking. He was the best."

She's describing her late dog, Snickers, her beloved pet she sadly had to say goodbye to this past May. To help her cope, Iacaponi created a memory box in Snickers' honor.

A Heartfelt Hobby

That was the spark that led Iacaponi to open her own Etsy shop, offering memory boxes, ornaments, cremation jewelry and suncatchers for others who are dealing with loss.

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Pets are family, and having one pass is a pain too many of us have experienced.  Iacaponi hopes her sentimental creations will keep their memories alive.

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"One in particular is a wooden ring where I would burn the pet's name and in the inner circle, I hang a little tiny urn or vial where they can put either small amount of ashes or pet fur or whatever they want to remember their pet," Iacaponi said.

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It's a touching keepsake to hang in the window, on the tree or place on your mantel for years to come.

"People seem to be really happy and, you know, really appreciative, and that makes me feel good, too," Iacaponi said.