Pet Loss Grief: How Sadness Can Turn Into Healing and Hope (Real Experience)

I create custom knit products based on photos of beloved pets, using yarn instead of printing.

作品作り

I create custom knit products based on photos of beloved pets, using yarn instead of printing.

Over the past 20 years, I have worked with more than 13,000 customers, and many of them have come to me for support during pet loss.

Some of them have told me:

“My painful feelings turned into something I could look forward to while waiting for the piece.”
“From now on, this piece will stay by my side.”

When I listen to their stories, I can deeply feel their pain.

And at the same time, I remember the loss of my own dog and cat.

Today, I would like to share something important:

The pain of pet loss can eventually turn into healing and hope.

The Pain of Pet Loss

The pain of losing a pet is something that others often cannot understand.

People who have never had a pet may not fully understand this feeling.

Even those who currently have pets may not truly understand it until they experience loss themselves.

I only realized the depth of this pain after losing my own pets.

And even now, years later, that feeling has not completely disappeared.

Whenever I listen to my customers’ stories, those memories come back vividly.

My Experience with Depression After Pet Loss

At that time, the pain became so overwhelming that I fell into depression.

Now, I have recovered, and my pets exist within me as a source of healing and hope.

But it took a very long time to reach this point.

What Triggers Healing After Losing a Pet?

For some people, a single message can bring back hope.

There are people who contact me by email or LINE, and after just one exchange, they begin to feel better.

Some of them move on without placing an order.

Others carefully choose photos, hold onto hope, and decide to order a custom knit piece.

ペットオーダーニットクッション

However, many people say that even after receiving the product, the pain does not completely disappear.

But at the same time, they begin to feel something new:

A more positive mindset
Gratitude for being able to share their feelings
Comfort from the piece itself

Many of them later send messages of thanks.

Here are some testimonials from people who have recovered.

What It Means to Be Surrounded by Healing and Hope

Let me share my current state.

I lost my dog Muku in 2007, and my cat Maro in 2020.

Through writing this blog and speaking with many people about pet loss grief,
I came across a powerful idea:

“The pain of pet loss is proof of love.”

When I heard this, I realized something important.

I truly loved them.
And I still do.

They are still in my heart.
They are always by my side.
And they continue to support me.

When I reached this understanding, something changed inside me:

In my most difficult moments, they appear in my heart.

This is what I mean by being surrounded by healing and hope.

Healing Takes Time

It took me a very long time to reach this place.

If you are struggling right now, you may feel:

“I want to feel better right now.”
“I want hope as soon as possible.”

But please don’t rush.

Instead of forcing yourself to feel better,
it may be better to fully feel your sadness.

Please don’t reject that pain.

Because that pain is proof of how deeply you loved your pet.

Grief Comes in Waves

Healing takes time.

For some, it may take months.
For others, years.

And even when you feel better,
the sadness may return again.

You may feel okay one day, and deeply sad the next.

This is normal.

Please don’t blame yourself for crying or feeling unable to move forward.

Allow yourself to feel.

The Power of Being Understood

I believe the most important step in healing pet loss grief is talking to someone who understands.

Sometimes, just one sentence can save you:

“That must have been so painful.”

Having someone who shares your sadness makes a huge difference.

I was once saved by a single word from my wife.

Here’s what my wife said that saved me.

You Will Find Someone Who Understands

As time goes on, you will meet people who understand your feelings.

Some people contact me right after losing their pet.

Others find this blog years later.

When you meet someone who understands you,
your pain becomes lighter.

And you take one step closer to healing and hope.

Until then, please take your time.

You Are Not Alone — Please Talk to Someone

Every day, I receive messages from people struggling with pet loss.

Many of them say:

“Thank you for listening. I had no one to talk to.”

Do you have someone you can talk to?

Or are you holding everything inside?

If so, please try to reach out to someone.

You don’t have to carry this alone.

What you need to overcome pet loss is the presence of someone who understands your feelings.

Conversations with Customers

Here are some real experiences from people who reached out:

“Thank you for listening. I had no one to talk to.”

My best friend’s cat passed away, so I made her a lap blanket as a memento. We’re close enough that I often stay over at her place, so I know her cat well. We talked about the cat late into the night, laughing and crying, and she hugged the blanket the whole time. She was so happy.
A 30-year-old woman purchased a half-size lap blanket as a gift.

When Hana (my pet cat) passed away, a friend rushed to my side. At first, I think she asked things like, “How are you?” or “Are you okay?” After that, we didn’t really talk about anything in particular, just had a little bit of aimless conversation, but when I started talking about Hana, she listened the whole time. I was so happy that she listened and was there for me. A woman in her 40s bought a cushion for herself.