Freeze-Dried Dog

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

Freeze-Dried Dalmatian

Credit: Mike McCullough, Mac's Taxidermy

Most taxidermist recommend a closed-eye "sleeping" pose for preserved pets.

Freeze-Dried Pet

Freeze-Dried Pet

Credit: Mike McCullough, Mac's Taxidermy

The freeze-drying process can take up to a year for large animals.

Small Dog

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

Amigo the Yorkie

Credit: Cathy Huntley, Freeze Dry By Cathy

Freeze-dried by Cathy Huntley, "Amigo" the Yorkie is posed standing.

Yorkie Profile

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

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

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.

Mike McCullough

Mike McCullough

Credit: Mike McCullough, Mac's Taxidermy

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.