Custom Silver and Rose Gold Springer Spaniel Memorial Necklace: Sam
Some custom commissions stay with me long after I've finished making them. Sam's was one of those.
Sue contacted me about her beautiful Springer Spaniel puppy, who was just six months old when his life was tragically cut short.
On 27th December last year, Sam and his older brother managed to get out after someone left a gate open at the family farm. They ran towards a nearby tarn, around 200 yards away. Sue guessed they might have been chasing ducks, as Springers are so naturally drawn to birds and the outdoors.
But the water was covered in ice, and Sam fell through and drowned.
Imagine how devastating that must have been for Sue and her family, especially at such a difficult time of year. Sam was only a baby, with so much growing up still ahead of him. Sue described him as a lovely boy with a huge personality, and said they missed him every day.
She wanted a silver keepsake of Sam, something that would help keep him close. She asked if I could make his face and head, capturing his liver and white colouring.
As I read Sue's message, I felt a particular sadness. Her story reminded me of my own dog, who died suddenly when he was only two years old. Losing a dog unexpectedly, especially when they're still so young, is incredibly hard to process. You never imagine that your time together will be so short.
It's one of the reasons I feel so strongly about making custom pet jewellery. These pieces aren't going to change what happened, and they can't give us more time with the dogs we love. But they can give us something tangible to hold on to, a little reminder of the character who made such a difference to our lives.
I made Sam's necklace from silver, using rose gold to recreate the warm liver colouring in his coat. I wanted to capture his face and the details that made him recognisable as Sam, rather than simply creating a generic Springer Spaniel.
Even at six months old, he had already made an enormous impression on his family. His age didn't make that bond any less significant. If anything, the thought of all those years they should have had together makes his story even more heartbreaking.
When I make a piece like this, I think about the person who will wear it and what it means to them. It's not just about getting the shape and colours right. It's about honouring a dog who was deeply loved and who is still very much part of the family, even though he is no longer there.
Sam may have had a very short life, but he clearly filled it with personality and love.
And now Sue has a little silver and rose gold version of her boy to keep close, a lasting tribute to a lovely Springer Spaniel who was taken far too soon.
If you would like to have your own dog recreated in silver, even from older photographs, I would love to see them. You can read more about my process here: Custom Pet Jewellery.
Who knows? Your precious friend might just be the next one I’m smiling about at my workbench.
Easy Design Process
Take the first step toward an one-of-a-kind piece of jewellery you and your pets deserve. With my simple, personal design process, I'll create a treasure that lasts a lifetime, and beyond.
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