A pet schnauzer preserved with a freeze-drying technique at Mac's Taxidermy in Fort Loudon, Penn.
Most taxidermist recommend a closed-eye "sleeping" pose for preserved pets.
The freeze-drying process can take up to a year for large animals.
Only a handful of taxidermy shops freeze-dry pets, so owners ship animals from across the country.
Freeze-dried by Cathy Huntley, "Amigo" the Yorkie is posed standing.
Glass eyes create a lifelike appearance. Some owners opt for custom-painted eyes to match the shade of their pet's eyes in life.
Even small animals take a long time to freeze-dry; A 10-pound cat, for example, might take about 6 months.
Some owners choose freeze-drying so they can keep their pet nearby. Others want to save the animal so that it can be buried with them when they die.
Mike McCullough, owner of Mac's Taxidermy, with his (living) bulldog Katie. McCullough says he has no intention of freeze-drying Katie after her death.
