Today, I’d like to share one of my own experiences.
In this blog, I often write about the moments that helped me recover from pet loss. Today, I want to talk about one of those moments—the resolve to face my pet’s passing.
I hear stories about pet loss from customers almost every day.
Because of that, I had been preparing myself for many years, knowing that one day I would also have to say goodbye to my two cats.
I kept telling myself to treasure the time we had together, here and now.
When my cat Maro (the tabby on the right) was diagnosed with an illness, I told our veterinarian the following:
That I create memorial goods as part of my work.
That I hear many stories of pet loss from my customers.
That I had already accepted the fact that one day, farewell would come.
Even though I had carried that resolve inside me, I had never spoken of it to anyone. But when I shared it with the vet, those words suddenly became real, and I felt the heavy weight of what they meant.
“Ah… the time to say goodbye is truly coming soon.”
At the hospital, we were told about Maro’s limited time left. The vet and I even talked about pet loss itself.
I realized then that even if you think you’ve accepted something in your mind, speaking it out loud makes it far clearer.
Perhaps it was good that I spoke to the vet. Saying it was painful, but through those conversations, my resolve became real. I felt I was finally able to truly accept it.
“Yes, Maro will soon go to heaven. This is a reality I must accept.”
Two months later, Maro passed away.
Even though I thought I was prepared, if I had kept it all to myself, I would have carried that pain alone.
By sharing my feelings with someone else, I believe I was saved in some way.
In my hardest moments, I can think:
“Maro’s doctor understands how I feel.”
That alone gives me strength.
Still, no matter how much I had prepared myself, there was no escaping the loneliness and pain of losing a beloved pet.