How Writing Helped Me Heal After Pet Loss

When I first came across the term pet loss grief, I felt an unexpected sense of relief.

Just having a name for what I was going through helped me take a step back and understand my emotions. It made me realize that I wasn’t alone—there were others out there feeling the same pain. It reminded me of how patients often feel calmer simply after learning the name of their illness.

In the days or even weeks after losing a beloved pet, it’s completely natural to feel heartbroken.
For most people, life gradually returns to normal over the course of a few months. But for some, the grief lingers.
Even after a year or two, they still find it hard to move on.

But how many people truly understand that kind of pain?

Often, even the person grieving knows they “should” be okay by now.
And yet, they may still find themselves stuck in sadness.
Some even face cold or dismissive comments from family or friends—people they hoped would offer comfort.

Sadly, not everyone has a support system that shares or understands their sorrow.

If you’re feeling isolated in your grief, I want to share something that helped me: writing.
Keeping a journal can be a quiet but powerful tool for healing.

Let me tell you a little about my own experience.

I lost my beloved dog in 2007, and my cat passed away in 2020.

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During that time, I had already started working on what I do now—creating custom knitted items from pet photos.

I shared stories about my pets on my website, and as readers connected with those memories, some began reaching out to me with their own experiences of pet loss.
They asked me to create keepsakes of their pets, and through that, I realized just how many people were quietly struggling with the same grief.

That’s when I decided to continue writing—not just about my pets, but about my journey through loss and recovery.

Something began to shift.

As I wrote about the sadness of losing them, I also started to remember the joyful moments we shared.
Blogging became something I looked forward to—a way to feel close to my pets again.
In a way, each post felt like a visit with them.

Even though many years have passed, the memories are still vivid.
Sometimes, it feels like they’re still here with me, as if we’re still living our lives together.

There are days when I miss them deeply, and on those days, I write from the heart.

And little by little, I began to feel calmer.
More at peace.

For Those Still Struggling with Pet Loss After Many Years—Here’s Something That Might Help

If you’ve been living with the pain of pet loss for years and still find it hard to move forward, you’re not alone.
There are many ways to cope with grief, and not every method works for everyone.
But today, I’d like to suggest one gentle and simple idea: writing a journal for your pet.

Try Keeping a Journal

One of the easiest and most accessible ways to begin healing is by keeping a diary.

Anyone can do it. You don’t need any special skills or tools, and you can start today—right now.

Don’t worry about writing perfectly. Just begin with whatever you feel.
You can write down favorite memories, messages you wish you could say, or even a simple “Happy Birthday” on their special day.

Writing messages to your pet can be surprisingly comforting.
It may even feel like your words are truly reaching them, and that thought alone can bring a warm sense of peace.

As I mentioned in another post titled “If You Could See Them Again, What Would You Do?”, one of the hardest things is not being able to tell your pet how you feel.
Writing those unspoken words can bring incredible emotional relief.

Blogging Can Also Be Healing

If you’re comfortable with computers, starting a blog can be another meaningful option.

You might find typing on a keyboard or smartphone more natural than writing by hand.

One of the best things about blogging is the ability to easily include photos.
Looking through old pictures can be a joyful process, and sometimes you might find yourself spending more time choosing the perfect photo than actually writing!

That time spent going through memories becomes a quiet way to reconnect with your pet.
It’s different from simply crying over photos—there’s something more reflective and nurturing about it.

Another wonderful aspect of blogging is the chance to connect with others.
If you allow comments, you might hear from people who have lost pets to the same illness, who owned the same breed, or who are also grieving right now.

This kind of shared experience can lead to meaningful connections, and you may find comfort in knowing you’re not the only one going through this.

Using Social Media to Express Your Grief

Social media, like blogging, can be a helpful outlet.

However, it’s good to remember that social media functions a bit like the real world.
Imagine talking about your grief every day at work or with friends—it might become overwhelming for others, even if they care.

That’s why I recommend sharing in pet loss support groups or grief-focused communities, rather than on your main feed.
These groups offer a safe space to post freely and connect with others who truly understand.

You can also simply read others’ posts and realize you’re not alone in your feelings.