Coping with Pet Loss: How Memorial Items Help You Stay Strong—One Day at a Time

Even if you feel like you’ve started to heal from the loss of your beloved pet, those painful feelings can return—sometimes unexpectedly.

In fact, the truth is that sadness and loneliness will come back, again and again.

Why?
Because we can never truly forget the pets we loved so deeply.

猫と僕

This is Maro, the cat I shared my life with.
When he passed away, I was surprised at how quickly I seemed to recover.

I shared the reasons why in this post: Experiences of overcoming pet loss

But even after thinking I had moved forward, I would still find myself feeling lonely or heartbroken.

In those moments, how do you spend your time?

As for me, I keep a cushion of Maro close by—a knitted memorial cushion that reminds me of him every day.

うちの子クッション

Holding On to the Memory of My Pet

When the grief of pet loss returns, it can feel overwhelming—like you just want to cling to something to ease the loneliness.

Maro, my cat, used to curl up in my lap all the time.

I could always feel his warmth, and my lap was never cold when he was there.

Even in the heat of summer, Maro loved being close to me.

That warmth… I can still feel it, even now.

When I sit on my usual sofa and hug this cushion, it feels almost like I’m holding Maro again.

That’s because the cushion isn’t printed—it’s carefully knitted from yarn, giving it a soft, handmade warmth that printed fabric can’t offer.

And with it, I can remember Maro anytime I want.

I usually keep the cushion on the sofa. But when I’m feeling lonely, I hold it close, look at Maro’s photos, and reflect on all the memories we shared.

Those quiet moments bring me so much peace and happiness.

マロと僕

Maro and I.

Do Pet Memorial Items Call Our Pets Back from Heaven?

ニットクッション

I keep Maro’s cushion on the sofa—and sometimes, just looking at it brings me to tears.

I once heard that when you suddenly feel like crying, it might be because your beloved pet is nearby, visiting from heaven.

Have you ever found yourself tearing up for no reason?
Even when you’re not feeling particularly sad, the tears just come?

Maybe, at that moment, your pet is right there beside you.

When we look at a memorial item and feel the urge to cry, perhaps it’s because that item has the power to draw our pet’s spirit closer to us.

At least for me, that’s exactly how it feels with Maro’s cushion.

I wear pet goods when I need strength and when I need to push myself.

When I’m feeling sad or lonely, I wear something that reminds me of my pet.

I wear a collar I got from Maro as a bracelet, and sometimes I wear a scarf around my neck.

Click here for bracelets

Click here for shawls

Some Days, I Try to Be Strong on My Own

There are days when I tell myself, “Today, I’ll try to be strong without help.”

On those days, I leave my memorial bracelet and scarf at home, and head out to work without them.

Then on other days—when I feel especially down or emotionally drained—I wear them again.

By choosing when to wear them and when not to, I feel like I’m gradually learning to cope.
And on the hard days, these keepsakes still offer the comfort and support I need.

Related Article:
How Giving a Pet Memorial Gift Can Bring Healing and Change

 

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