I’m Leo, and like many of you, my childhood was brightened by a pet, named H. Every day after school, the first thing I’d do was talk to H.

Then one day, H was gone. I cried uncontrollably in the dark—a first taste of loss.

Seven years later, I adopted another dog, P. Unlike H, P would seek me out every day to “chat.” But tragedy struck again when P was hit by a car in a parking lot. Another loss.

This time, I didn’t cry. I wanted to hold onto P , to never forget it. So I had a ceramic jar made in its likeness, to hold its toys, fur, and ashes. One day, thinking of H, I created a similar piece in its memory. Now, I see them every day. Life may be fleeting, but as long as I remember, they’re still with me.

Recently, I discovered this ceramic workshop that helped me create these keepsakes. I wanted to share it with you.