Heavenly Pals are the lovable, huggable, reminder of your best friend. In order to get them into the hands of dog-lovers, I need help funding my first production run.

Heavenly Pals are plush dogs, similar in quality to those found at high-end toy stores like FAO Schwarz, that offer a whimsical (and huggable) alternative to traditional urns for dog-owners who have lost their beloved pets. 

How did I come up with the idea?

When my own childhood dog passed away, a friend gave my mother a plush dog that resembled him. I saw how tremendously it helped her through the grieving process, giving her something to direct her emotions toward, and from there the idea for Heavenly Pals was born.

I decided to create something that was whimsical, rather than realistic or somber, so that it would serve as a pleasant reminder of the joy and happiness our pets have brought to our lives.

What We Need & What You Get

• All funds will go towards the production run, testing, and shipping. Basically, getting Heavenly Pals made and shipped here.
  
• All factories have production run minimums so I need to produce so many of a particular breed.
• Heavenly Pals are designed to meet the same quality you would expect to find in high-end stores like FAO Schwarz in NY or Hamleys in London which also means they are not cheaply made. The best materials are going into Heavenly Pals! 
• They're a high-end product and will retail around $100 dollars for the smaller breeds and $125 for the larger but backers of this Indiegogo campaign will get them cheaper than everyone else!

The Impact

The loss of a pet is comparable to those felt after losing close human friends or relatives. Throughout their lives they are a source of unconditional love, comfort and stability. When they have gone, there is a big empty. 

Plush toys often represent the most precious childhood memories. So too can they later in life invoke feelings of love, caring, and gratitude, as they remind us of cherished people, places, and even our pets. By providing a tangible connection to those memories, the grieving process can become easier. 

By funding this project you're helping someone through a rough time.

The biggest challenge to this project is managing the factory. Since I am putting in a smaller order I could be pushed back on the docket. However, I am all about solution and this is how I am overcoming this.

I am partnering with an established business that has been manufacturing similar products for years with this factory and has liaisons working on site. My order will be placed with theirs, and their onsite liaisons communicate with us on a daily basis in order to counteract any problems before they escalate. I will also spend time at the factory to ensure that the proper materials are being sourced and procured, that the product is being made to my specifications, and that expectations are being met for delivery.

Other Ways You Can Help

ENGLISH BULLDOG

Their lovable dispositions and irresistible wrinkles make the Bulldog one of the most popular breeds. The English Bulldog Heavenly Pal reflects the breed’s typical colors and markings. Specifications: Rated to hold the remains of a dog weighing up to 60 lbs. (The average Bulldog weighs between 35-55 lbs.) Measures 12”L x 9”H x 8”W

 GERMAN SHEPHERD 

Dependable, loving and fearless, the German Shepherd is a popular and beloved breed. The German Shepherd Heavenly Pal is designed to depict the breed’s typical dense, richly colored coat. Specifications: Rated to hold the remains of a dog weighing up to 95 lbs. Measures 12”L x 11”H x 12”W 

BEAGLE

Friendly, curious, and full of personality, the Beagle is one of the most popular breeds in the US. The Beagle Heavenly Pal depicts the breed’s characteristic tri-coloring and miniature Foxhound features. Specifications: Rated to hold the remains of a dog weighing 40-50 lbs. (The average Beagle weighs between 18-30 lbs.) Measures 18”L x 8”H x 9”W 

GOLDEN RETRIEVER

Golden Retrievers are known for being intelligent, active, helpful and friendly. The Golden Retriever Heavenly Pal is designed to reflect the breed’s hallmark shaggy golden coat. Specifications: Rated to hold the remains of a dog weighing up to 80-90 lbs. (The average Golden Retriever weighs between 55-80 lbs., according to the AKC). Measures 22”L x 12”H x 11”W 

Heavenly Pals had to be more than just aesthetically pleasing, as the device also serves a very important function. It’s an urn. It’s an urn that’s meant to be huggable which means it must be able to withstand the application of pressure. It needed the flexibility of rubber and also be a fabric. Neoprene was the obvious choice.

Neoprene is a rubber-like fabric that is commonly used in laptop sleeves and wetsuits. It allows the product to be flexible and resilient. Heavenly Pals are meant to be huggable. The Neoprene enables you to do just that.

Then came the question- what will hold the actual…pet?

When you decide to have your dog cremated, your vet or crematorium will return your pet’s remains to you sealed in a plastic bag even if you get a tradition vase or wooden urn. A simple solution was to make this The Inner Bladder. 

(birdseed used to represent remains)

You simply take that bag and place it inside the breed model that best represents your pet. Each dog is designed to hold the average weight of the breed it represents.

FAQs

Are you just doing dogs? At the moment I am just doing dogs but I will eventually do cats.