Dealing with Pet Loss: Getting Through the Hard Days

One day, my sick cat Maro seemed fine, so I snapped a photo of him..

The next day, Maro crossed the rainbow bridge.

He was fighting an illness and getting thinner day by day, so I always knew this day would come.

But it happened all too soon, and in the blink of an eye, Maro was gone.

It had been two months since he was diagnosed with the illness. He had been so healthy…

Click here for more information on Maro’s illness

Even though I was prepared for it, an immense sense of loneliness and pain still comes over me.

On this page, I would like to write about how I get through these difficult days.

clean the room

The day after saying goodbye to my beloved cat Maro, I started cleaning the room.

Maro wasn’t wearing a diaper, but he had vomited all over the room.

So not only did I need to tidy up, but I also had to scrub the floors.

I got rid of a lot of things that I hadn’t been able to tidy up until now.

I got two garbage bags full.

Rearranging things like this seems to help change my mood a bit.

I also cleaned the kitchen, toilet and bathroom.

I also found a lot of Maro’s hair.

Moving my body helps me feel a little better.

But Sometimes I’d suddenly feel like crying in the middle or feel exhausted and just want to rest.

At times like that, I try not to push myself too hard, but rather take a little rest, remember Maro, or play with my other cat (Sora).

This will probably be the case for the next few days, or even weeks.

make an album

I recommend making a memory album of your pet as a way to cope with the loss of a pet.

So after Maro passed away, I decided to make an album of my cat.

As I select each photo, memories of that moment come flooding back.

Sometimes I cry, but when I look at the photos I remember the fun times.

There were also some photos from when they first came to live with us.

There were some photos of him with gestures that made me chuckle.

I remember almost all of them, but sometimes I come across photos that I don’t remember taking, and when I look back on my memories, I feel like I’m talking to Maro.

To meet strangers or not?

After losing a pet, I wondered whether socializing would help me heal.

I’m not good at it and prefer to spend time alone.

I have to cheer myself up to a certain extent to meet people.

When I cheer myself up, I end up tired afterwards.

However, we live in a society where it’s easy to get in touch with others through social media and other means.

You might receive messages from people you aren’t ready to talk to.

Avoid people as much as possible, be careful not to be rude to others, and protect yourself.

On the other hand, there are times when it’s better for you to meet people.

Sometimes you can feel better just by acting cheerfully.

You’ll especially feel soothed if you’re with your best friend or a loved one of the opposite sex.

I also think it’s a good idea to get in touch with people who understand your feelings.

I’m going to the veterinary hospital tonight.

I’m going to do this to return Maro’s used IV drip.

It’s difficult to tell them that he has passed away, but the doctors and nurses were the ones who kindly gave me advice about Maro, so they are some of the few people I can talk to about Maro.

I want to give a proper report.

(Next day July 7th)

Yesterday evening, I went to the animal hospital.

When I informed the receptionist that Maro had passed, two veterinarians (a married couple) and a nurse came out to listen..

I thought what a wonderful hospital it was, and felt so happy that Maro was being treated there.

I managed to find a smile even through the tears, and went home determined to keep doing my best.

watch a movie

I wonder how many movies I watched in the few days after Maro passed away.

I’ve always loved movies, but I spend my time just staring blankly at the screen.

I’m afraid to go to sleep.

I’m afraid to be alone.

I’ll cry if I’m not doing anything, but I can’t do anything.

Movies are perfect for me at times like that.

But I start watching something, stop right away, and then start watching it again, and I keep repeating that cycle.

When I want to cry, I cry

I must have cried so many times on the day we said goodbye to Maro.

Maybe I’m at an age where I get emotional easily, but I cry a lot these days.

While driving home after seeing him off, in bed, the moment I lie down, while at work…

There are times when I suddenly feel lonely.

At times like that, I don’t hold it in, and I try to cry when I feel like it.

Letting those tears flow seems to help me feel a bit lighter.

I’m crying less and less every day.

I hope that in this way I can gradually feel better.

book

I’ve read a few books about cats so far.

I’d like to reread them.

I don’t have the energy (stamina) to read books right now, but I’d like to reread them when I feel a little better.

In particular, I’d really like to read again “The 18-Year Mission,” which I saw on a NEKO-MENTARY on TV some time ago.

listen to music

Have you ever had an experience like this?

“When I hear this song, I instantly remember those days.”

I have a few songs like that.

Now that I’ve lost my pet cat Maro, I’m listening to a few songs.

I’ve heard Aimyon’s Marigold here and there by chance.

I’ve always liked Imai Miki’s PRIDE.

If I listen to this song now, I’ll probably have a chance to listen to it again sometime in a few years.

I feel like I’ll probably remember Maro when that time comes.