Start with the everyday object the dog wore or answered to. A ring built around one clear anchor wears better over time than one built around several competing ideas.
A tag outline, dog name, nickname, adoption date, "Best Friend," or a collar-shape symbol without the old phone number give you real options. Choose based on what the wearer will still recognize months from now, not what looks strongest in a first sketch.
tag shapes can work outside; private dates and nicknames usually fit better inside. Decide this before finalizing artwork, since it changes how much detail the design can actually hold.
brushed silver and warm metal accents can echo a collar tag without copying it literally. Choose the finish based on how the ring will actually be worn, not just how it looks in a first mockup.
keep the words personal and remove practical tag details that no longer belong on a memorial ring. Read it out loud before finalizing; wording that sounds right out loud usually reads right on metal.
send a photo of the collar tag, nameplate, or favorite collar if the shape matters. The clearer the source, the less the final engraving has to be simplified or guessed.
use the tag shape or the dogs name as the center, not both plus multiple extra pet symbols. One clear lead detail reads better than several smaller ones competing for space.
Avoid engraving phone numbers unless they are emotionally important to the story are the usual problems here. When in doubt, remove a detail rather than add one.
Decide this first: choose whether the ring should remember the tag object or the name on it. It is easier to add detail later than to remove it after the ring is ordered.
The next step is simple: bring the tag photo, dog name, date, and a note about the collar into the Friends of Irony designer.