The Pet Ofrendas for Día de Muertos Are Back
Art by Stephany Torres
Día de Muertos is about paying respect and celebrating loved ones who have left us. And those loved ones aren’t always human, hence pet ofrendas.
October 27 is specifically set aside as the day pets come back to visit their owners. Originally meant to celebrate dogs, the celebration has now expanded to include all pets. And like the altars people make for humans, pets also get their ofrendas – and often, their favorite treats, chew toys, and even some human food, if that’s what they want. This is both a tribute and a celebration, as the holiday in general is. And people take it very, very seriously.
This day of remembrance can be traced back to the belief that dogs were responsible for helping people cross over. Sculptures of the Xoloitzcuintle, a dog breed common to Mexico – think Miguel’s dog in Coco – have been found at burial sisters for the Mayans and the Toltec. Now, however, the holiday belongs to all pets and all humans who loved those pets.
We’re just warning you, that you might want to grab some tissues before checking out these beautifully constructed ofrendas. When we say people go all out for their pets, we mean it. The music helps too.
