Freeze-Dried Dog
Credit: Mike McCullough, Mac's Taxidermy
A pet schnauzer preserved with a freeze-drying technique at Mac's Taxidermy in Fort Loudon, Penn.
Freeze-Dried Dalmatian
Credit: Mike McCullough, Mac's Taxidermy
Most taxidermist recommend a closed-eye "sleeping" pose for preserved pets.
Freeze-Dried Pet
Credit: Mike McCullough, Mac's Taxidermy
The freeze-drying process can take up to a year for large animals.
Small Dog
Credit: Mike McCullough, Mac's Taxidermy
Only a handful of taxidermy shops freeze-dry pets, so owners ship animals from across the country.
Amigo the Yorkie
Credit: Cathy Huntley, Freeze Dry By Cathy
Freeze-dried by Cathy Huntley, "Amigo" the Yorkie is posed standing.
Yorkie Profile
Credit: Cathy Huntley, Freeze Dry By Cathy
Glass eyes create a lifelike appearance. Some owners opt for custom-painted eyes to match the shade of their pet's eyes in life.
Freeze-Dried Yorkie
Credit: Cathy Huntley, Freeze Dry By Cathy
Even small animals take a long time to freeze-dry; A 10-pound cat, for example, might take about 6 months.
Yorkie Pose
Credit: Cathy Huntley, Freeze Dry By Cathy
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.