Women gets dog's ashes tattooed into her face as family call her 'certifiably crazy'

To some people, losing a pet can feel just as painful as losing a family member - in fact, many animal lovers don't see the difference.

Such was the case for Claire Hobson, who has been branded 'certifiably crazy' for the way she chose to honour her late dog, Patch.

During an appearance on ITV's This Morning earlier today (29 May), she explained that, prior to his death, she'd viewed Patch as her 'soul mate', seeing him as more loyal than any man she'd ever dated romantically.

Late last year, however, the white and brown pup had become seriously unwell, having regular seizures. His health then declined to the point that Hobson was left with no choice but to have him put down to relieve Patch from his pain.

Afterwards, Hobson was left wondering how she might best honour the life of her beloved canine companion, who was 20 when he died.

Patch was 20 when he died (ITV)

Suddenly, an idea for the perfect tribute appeared in her mind.

After having Patch cremated, she had her pet's ashes mixed with ink and tattooed onto her eyes to create the effect of semi-permanent eyeliner. In her view, Hobson would now be able to 'see the world through' Patch's eyes.

"Dogs are loyal, they’re consistent, they show up every single day," she told TV hosts Joel Dommett and Angela Scanlon. "It’s the purest form of love.

"They’re happy to see you every single day, for 20 years."

Being a semi-permanent make-up artist herself, she asked a colleague to do the handiwork.

"I went to pick his ashes up, and I was already booked in to have my eyeliner tattooed that day," Hobson recalled. "I was walking out of the Pets at Home store, and he was in a carrier bag in a box.

Hobson claimed her family view her as 'certifiably crazy' (ITV)

"I just thought, I was about to go to Dubai to move there, and I thought I didn’t want to put his ashes in a suitcase. So I thought, oh, I’m getting my eyeliner tattooed; I’m sure people have their loved ones tattooed into body tattoos, so why not just have it in my eyeliner?"

Hobson continued: "So I took it along, and I said to my colleague Steph, 'I know this is a really bonkers request, but do you think we can put some of these ashes in the pigment?'"

Asked how friends responded to the controversial decision, the dog-mom went on to claim: "I did think I'd have a different reception from people, but actually, the amount of people I've not got messaging me asking me to do it!

"I think we underestimate the loss of pets and how we want to remember them. Maybe I'm not so bonkers after all."

Her family, however, have taken a different view, with Hobson claiming they see her as 'certifiably crazy'.

She claimed a colleague had done the work (ITV)

"But, at the end of the day, I just think, live authentically for yourself," she added. "If it makes you happy, and you're not doing anything to hurt anyone in the process, and if that brings you a bit of peace and comfort, then go with it."