Your five year old's crayon drawing of the family dog hangs on the refrigerator. Your cat's photo is displayed on the mantle. And you've been considering honoring your pets with a portrait painted by a professional artist. With a personalized paint-by-number made from a photo you can spend significantly less money and paint that portrait yourself, even if you are not an experienced artist.

Through websites such as paintbynumberkit.com and pet-by-number.com you can have a cherished photo of your pet made into a paint-by-number. Send your photo by email or snail mail, select your desired painting size, and soon you will amaze yourself with your artistic skills.

With these painting kits you can create a realistic portrait of your pampered pet, a beautiful piece of artwork to decorate your home. Kits from Paintbynumberkit.com include paintbrushes, acrylic paints, a custom designed canvas, and instructions to create your masterpiece. Paintbynumberkit.com's prices range from $43 to $146.

The paint-by-number kits are fun for pet lovers of all ages, although children will probably need help from an adult. The unpainted paint by number or a completed paint by number makes a unique personal gift. They are a special way to honor an extraordinary family pet or memorialize a beloved, deceased pet.

Visit the websites for more details, and be on your way to making your pet proud with a personal, painted portrait that declares just how much he means to you.