What Kind of Ink/paint and Paper for a Paw Print?

Updated on August 23, 2011
J.I. asks from Spring Branch, TX
7 answers

Sadly, I will be putting my dog down this week (I posted a question earlier this month asking whether I should be in the room or not). I do plan to spend the morning with him, love on him, take some pictures, and then be in the room holding him when it actually happens. One thing I wanted to do after reading your suggestions of a plaster imprint - is to instead do a paw print on paper, so I could put it in my scrapbook or hang it in a picture frame along with a picture of Cash (see my profile picture). But I am no artist. I don't know what kind of ink or paint would be best with what kind of paper. I know craft stores sell very nice paper and I'd like to have something nice than plain computer paper, maybe a nice cardstock of some sort. Is there something I should be looking for specifically when I go to the store? Should I just go get Crayola washable ink? I do not want paint or ink all over my car or my parent's back deck, so something that washes easily off of fur/wood decking would be ideal.

Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Well I was thinking I'd take 20 or so prints of his paw on different colors so that I could figure out later which colors I like best in which frames or with which pictures. Um, no. I think I ended up getting 2 or 3 good ones. The tempera paint was too watery and didn't make a good print. Mom went to her cupboard and got some acrylic paint, which worked nicer. But also, I realized it was better to put the paper TO the dogs paw (using a clipboard) as opposed to putting the dogs paw to the paper. His reflexes told him to pull away, therefore smudging the paint. After I realized that was the right maneuver, I tried the tempera again and it worked better. But the dog was not liking it, so I just stopped. It was not too fun to clean his paw. The acrylic took a few times to wash. Cash can't walk on hard-surfaces, so we wanted to get it completely washed so that green acrylic paint didn't get on the cream colored carpet. I got some acid-free colored paper at Target, since I was there already. Cute 5x6 cards that I can easily cut to put in a photo album or frame. Thanks for your wonderful advice.

More Answers

K.F.

answers from Washington DC on

If your vet doesn't do it, or if you just want to do it yourself, I'd use washable tempura paints like crayola makes, although there would be other brands which surely would be fine. A heavy paper would be best for durabilities sake. If you go to an art supply store you would look for a paper that is archival quality, basically low acid so that it doesn't yellow and degrade as easily. Those types are easy to find. Nothing shiny as it won't take paint easily, you'll be looking for a matte finish. Beyond that, it's really just preference.

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M.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

Some vets do this for you right in their office. I had both my cats put down and a week later I got the pet poem and paw print in the mail, What a nice and sweet gesture. You could always bring a permanant ink with you and do it yourself there in the office.
Sorry about your dog, it's never easy.

Updated

Some vets do this for you right in their office. I had both my cats put down and a week later I got the pet poem and paw print in the mail, What a nice and sweet gesture. You could always bring a permanant ink with you and do it yourself there in the office.
Sorry about your dog, it's never easy.

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M.Y.

answers from Austin on

Ask your vet. In the last year we had to put down our 13 year old lab and my mother in laws 16 yo cat and we use different vets. Both offices provided that for us. It was not something we had thought of and it was a nice surprise. They both put the prints on a peice of paper that had a really nice poem about the animals we loved.
I am so sorry about what you have to do this week, I know it is a very hard decision.

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C.J.

answers from Dallas on

May be too late, but when I had my kiddos there were imprint kits and you pressed on a piece of paper and that released the ink, but only where the pressure was applied. Then you pulled off some coating and pressed the "carbon" paper (but it is ink) to the actual paper and it keeps from being messy or smeared:)
I think I got the kit at a Michael's or Hobby Lobby.

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T.N.

answers from Albany on

Not sure if your vet does it, I put my Golden down two weeks ago. :(

Two days later I received a lovely card from my vet, including 4 cards with her paw print on nice paper, I didn't request it, not sure if it's just part of the package or my vet is just fantastic (well, she IS fantastic). Course we all lost it when we read the card and I handed out the prints to the kids. :(

They have a gorgeous outside courtyard, where we all sat around on a blanket feeding her hot dogs (her FAVE, and hasn't been able to have them because the sodium content affected her meds). She literally fell asleep eating her favorite food with all her favorite people scratching her ears.

I'm sorry about your doggy. That totally sucks.

I guess I don't really have an answer to your question. But I'll send you lots of strength and hugs to get through it.

:)

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S.W.

answers from Amarillo on

A little different. I got a rubber stamp pad once and put my dog's paw on it when we (son and I) sent a father's day card to hubby who was overseas. He said it was the best card he ever got.

I took the dog's paw and pressed it on the card (here you could get acid free paper) and make your memories.

My you all have a very peaceful happy journey.

The other S. and Sidney gone 6 years

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P.M.

answers from San Antonio on

Hi Jess,

I just wanted you to know that someone is praying for you and for Cash today. I am crying tears along with you today. I'm praying for your peace and for happiness for Cash.

Blessings and hugs,
Pam

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