Headstone Quotes About Dogs

Dogs give a kind of love that's simple and complete. Whether the stone is for a beloved dog or for a person who adored them, these lines capture loyalty, joy and the bond between people and their dogs.

Short epitaphs

• Good dog. Best friend.
• Forever our good boy.
• Loyal companion, faithful friend.
• Paw prints on our hearts.
• Run free.
• Until we meet again at the gate.

Scripture

• A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast. (Proverbs 12:10)
• But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee. (Job 12:7)
• In whose hand is the soul of every living thing. (Job 12:10)

Public-domain poetry and prose

• Beauty without Vanity, Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, and all the Virtues of Man without his Vices. (Lord Byron, Epitaph to a Dog, 1808)

Byron's dog

Lord Byron wrote his famous epitaph for his Newfoundland dog, Boatswain, and had it carved on a monument at Newstead Abbey in England, where it still stands. Its lines are in the public domain and remain one of the best-loved tributes to a dog.

About the Rainbow Bridge

Many families take comfort in the idea of a pet waiting at the Rainbow Bridge. The prose poem's authorship and copyright are disputed, so a short line of your own — "See you at the bridge" — is a safe way to include the idea.

Designs to pair

• Paw prints — see paw print meaning.
• A portrait of the dog — see laser-etched portraits.
• A collar and bone.
• A dog curled asleep.

A note on sources

Quotations here are scripture (King James Version) or works in the public domain, alongside original lines you're free to use. If you choose another quotation, check who wrote it and whether it is still under copyright before it is engraved.

Key Takeaways

• Dog lines suit pets and dog lovers.
• Byron's 1808 epitaph is public domain.
• "See you at the bridge" avoids copyright concerns.
• Paw prints and portraits suit dog memorials.

Next Step

See what to write on a pet memorial stone and headstone ideas for a dog lover.