Custom Pet Memorial Stone or Engraved Plaque Commission

We lost our companion a few weeks ago and the house still feels too quiet without them. I would like to commission a memorial stone or engraved plaque that we can place in the garden under their favourite tree, or keep indoors on a shelf if a garden piece is not practical. This is not a decorative item or a portrait — it is a keepsake meant purely for remembrance, so the tone needs to be calm, dignified and quietly personal rather than playful or bright.

I am picturing a solid stone, resin composite, ceramic or ceramic-look slab with the pet's name engraved in a clean, elegant font, the years they were with us, a small paw print motif, and a short epitaph of two or three lines that I will provide once we agree on the layout. I am open to your suggestions on material and finish — weatherproof stone or composite for outdoor placement, or a softer ceramic or wood-look plaque for an indoor shelf — whichever will hold the engraving cleanly and age well over the years. A gentle border or a subtle motif like a small paw trail or a leaf pattern around the edge would be welcome, but the design should stay understated; nothing should compete with the name and the words.

What I need from you:
— A short conversation first about size, material and whether the piece is meant for outdoor or indoor placement
— A simple mock-up or sketch of the layout before anything is engraved or cast, so I can approve the wording and spacing
— Correct spelling of the name and dates exactly as I send them, double-checked before production
— If outdoor, confirmation that the material and engraving will hold up to rain, frost and sun without fading
— Careful, secure packaging for shipping, since the piece is fragile and irreplaceable in sentiment
— A realistic estimate of turnaround time so I know when to expect it