Robyn Moscrop, a 27-year-old who has always been fond of bull terriers, decided to adopt one three years ago, naming him Bronson, according to Wales Online. Although Bronson proved to be a challenging puppy, Moscrop adored him immensely.
“He was such a lively dog, full of personality, and left an impression on everyone he met,” she shared with Good News Network. “He kept me on my toes, and I’d often wonder why he wasn’t as well-behaved as other dogs.”
Moscrop indulged Bronson, even organizing large playdates with up to 20 bull terriers, ensuring he lived an extraordinary life.
Tragically, Bronson passed away unexpectedly last July at just 3 years old, leaving Moscrop heartbroken.
While at the crematorium, Moscrop was informed that she could incorporate Bronson’s ashes into a tattoo. She asked her boyfriend, George Ricketts, to create a tattoo using the ashes mixed with ink. Despite his nerves about the task, Ricketts worked diligently for eight hours, producing a flawless tribute.
The tattoo has been a source of comfort for Moscrop, helping her cope with Bronson’s loss, as it makes her feel as though he’s still with her.
“Sometimes I find myself talking to the tattoo as if I’m talking to him,” she told the New York Post. “It might sound strange, but when I’m out and wearing a t-shirt, I think, ‘He’s here with me, seeing all of this too.’”
Although incorporating ashes into a tattoo may seem unusual, it’s part of a broader trend of using them creatively—whether pressing them into vinyl records, transforming them into glass art, sending them into space, or incorporating them into a fireworks display.
These practices are about honoring a loved one’s memory and aiding in healing.
Grieving the loss of a pet can be as profound as losing a human loved one, notes Frank T. McAndrew, a psychology professor at Knox College, in The Conversation. However, there are fewer cultural rituals to help people cope with the loss of a pet.
For Moscrop, the tattoo has been a meaningful way to keep Bronson close, and she’s found solace in welcoming a new bull terrier, Alabama, into her life.
“If I didn’t have my new dog, it would be really hard to talk about him,” she admitted. “But with Alabama here, she’s helped fill the void he left and made the healing process easier because losing a dog is incredibly painful.”