Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a vibrant Mexican tradition recognized globally for its elaborate altars adorned with marigolds, sugar skulls, and heartfelt mementos. This celebration, deeply rooted in honoring deceased loved ones, has evolved over time, embracing new ways to remember those who have passed. Among these beautiful adaptations is a special day dedicated to our animal companions: October 27th, a day to commemorate pets during Día de los Muertos.
This heartwarming practice acknowledges the profound bond between humans and their pets, recognizing them as cherished members of the family. Just as families remember human loved ones, many now extend the Día de los Muertos tradition to include their deceased pets, placing their photos on ofrendas alongside water, food, treats, and beloved toys.
Michele Soto, Operations Manager at The Arizona Pet Project, embodies this sentiment. She and her mother have taken the initiative to build a community altar for pets each year in south Phoenix. “It’s really about pets being part of your family,” Soto explains. “You love them when you meet them, you love them when they’re in your life — just like your family — and you love them when they’re gone.” For the past two years, The Arizona Pet Project has invited the Phoenix community to participate in this loving tribute, creating a space for collective remembrance of beloved pets gone too soon.
Creating Ofrendas for Beloved Pets
The practice of creating pet ofrendas is a beautiful way to process grief and celebrate the lives of animal companions. Michele Soto, who personally experienced the loss of her 14-year-old cat Henry, found solace in creating a small altar at home. Seeing Henry’s picture and favorite toys helped her navigate the grieving process, transforming sadness into gratitude for the time they shared.
Soto believes that the vibrant nature of Día de los Muertos altars helps to reframe perceptions of death, seeing it as a natural part of life rather than something to be feared. Building altars annually is a cultural tradition passed down through generations, a way to honor the deceased. For Soto and many others, including pets in this tradition feels natural, as they are unequivocally considered family.
Last year, Soto’s family honored her mother’s cat, Esperanza (Espi), on their community altar. Espi, who had been a close companion to Soto’s 97-year-old grandmother, held a special place in their hearts. Soto noted the unique experience her grandmother had with Espi, having never had indoor pets during her childhood. This highlights how relationships with pets can vary across generations and cultures, yet the love and bond remain constant.
The Evolution of Día de los Muertos and Pet Inclusion
While Día de los Muertos has deep historical roots, originating from Indigenous and pre-Hispanic rituals over 3,000 years old, its public celebration in the United States is more recent. Professor Regina Marchi, from the Department of Latino and Caribbean Studies at Rutgers University, explains that the Chicano Movement played a pivotal role in bringing Día de los Muertos into the public sphere in the 1970s.
Inspired by a desire to celebrate Mexican traditions with pride, activists and artists organized the first public Día de los Muertos exhibitions in California. This movement encouraged multiculturalism and the embracing of cultural roots, shifting away from assimilation. Beyond parades, the Chicano movement also politicized altars, dedicating them to victims of social injustices.
As the concept of altars expanded, the inclusion of pets emerged organically. Marchi, author of “Day of the Dead in the United States: The Migration and Transformation of a Cultural Phenomenon,” has observed these transformations, particularly with the increased popularity of Día de los Muertos following the movie “Coco” in 2017.
The film “Coco” further popularized the tradition and introduced figures like the Xoloitzcuintle, a hairless dog breed native to Mexico, as a significant symbol. The Xoloitzcuintle, depicted as a companion in the movie, has deep ties to Aztec culture, where these dogs were believed to guide souls in the afterlife and were often buried with their owners.
While the Xoloitzcuintle’s historical significance is undeniable, Marchi cautions against romanticizing cultural traditions as unbroken lines, emphasizing the impact of colonization and the struggles to revive and strengthen cultural practices.
Despite these complexities, the essence of Día de los Muertos remains a powerful expression of remembrance and love. And now, with the growing tradition of honoring pets on October 27th, this beautiful celebration further expands to embrace all members of the family, both human and animal, ensuring that no loved one is forgotten.
