A woman has shared the unusual way she chose to remember her beloved pet dog after his death — by having some of his ashes mixed into the ink used for her permanent eyeliner tattoo.
Claire Hobson, a semi-permanent makeup artist from the UK, said she decided to incorporate the ashes of her late dog, Patch, into her eyeliner tattoo so that a part of him would always remain with her.
Patch, a miniature Jack Russell, had been by Hobson’s side for around 20 years and helped her through some of the most difficult periods of her life. She described him as a loyal companion who was always there for her.
According to Hobson, the idea came to her shortly after she collected Patch’s cremated ashes. She was already scheduled to receive a permanent eyeliner treatment from a colleague and began thinking about alternative ways to keep her dog close.
“I was about to go to Dubai to move there. I was living between countries and I thought, ‘I don’t want to put his ashes in a suitcase,’” Hobson explained during an appearance on ITV’s This Morning.
She said she had heard of people adding the ashes of loved ones to traditional body tattoos and wondered if something similar could be done with her eyeliner tattoo.
Hobson asked her colleague if a small amount of Patch’s ashes could be mixed into the pigment used during the procedure. The request was granted, and the eyeliner tattoo went ahead using a tiny amount of the ashes.
She said only a very small quantity was added so it would not affect the quality of the pigment.
Patch had reportedly experienced health problems in his later years, including seizures and periods of declining health. Hobson said she remained with him during his final moments after taking him to a veterinarian.
The unique tribute has attracted attention online, with many pet owners expressing support and understanding for her decision.
“Dogs, they’re loyal, they’re consistent, they show up every single day,” Hobson said, describing the bond she shared with Patch. She added that pets provide a pure form of love that many people deeply value.
While most reactions have been positive, Hobson joked that some members of her family think she is “certifiably crazy” for the idea.
She also plans to continue adding small amounts of Patch’s ashes during future touch-up appointments, meaning the memorial could remain part of her eyeliner for years to come.
The practice of incorporating cremated ashes into tattoos has become increasingly popular, but some tattoo artists and health experts have raised concerns about safety and sterilization. Tattoo artist Luke Wintrip said the practice remains controversial within the industry because it involves introducing foreign material into tattoo ink.
Wintrip explained that he now prefers working with specialist companies that create pre-sterilized tattoo pigments containing ashes, helping reduce potential health risks.
Despite the debate, Hobson says her decision was about keeping the memory of her beloved dog close and honoring the companion who spent two decades by her side.
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