I have experienced pet loss, gone through depression, and now, somehow, this shy person that I am finds herself listening to others who are grieving their pets. Life is truly mysterious.
When I talk with customers who are struggling after losing their beloved companions, I often recall my own grief when my cat passed away.
Today, I want to share this idea:
“When coping with pet loss feels unbearable, try imagining the kind of relationship you would like to continue having with your pet.”
The First Glimpse of Healing
After my pet passed away, I cried constantly. For days, weeks, even months, I felt like I couldn’t move forward.
But then, slowly, there came a moment when I felt a tiny shift inside me—a spark of strength returning. That moment was incredibly important.
In the early days of grief, nothing could bring me energy. Trying to force myself to “cheer up” only made the pain worse. So I stayed still, letting time pass.
Yet, the human heart is mysterious. Little by little, I began to notice sunlight warming me again, and food tasting good again. These small signs told me healing had begun.
Imagining the Bond You Want with Your Pet
During that period, I began to think deeply about what kind of relationship I wanted with my pets in the years ahead.
I knew I wouldn’t always be crying. Five or ten years later, I wouldn’t be in the same pain. But I also knew I never wanted to forget Muku (my Newfoundland dog) or Maro (my tabby cat).
I wanted to treasure both the love and the sadness of losing them.
So I imagined this:
Five or ten years from now, Muku and Maro would still live in my heart—not just as memories, but as partners. Sometimes they would comfort me, sometimes they would support me, and always they would remain my friends, watching over me.
And now, I feel that is exactly the relationship I have built with them.
Writing this blog, listening to customers’ stories, creating knitted memorial cushions—everything I do is thanks to Muku and Maro. They help me understand others, and they support me from heaven.
Gentle Advice for Customer in Grief
When I listen to people grieving their pets, I rarely give advice. I’m not a counselor or psychiatrist—I’m a knit artist. I don’t have certifications; I can only listen.
But I can share my own experience.
If you are hurting right now, if you are trying to heal from pet loss, I invite you to imagine:
- Do you want your pet to remain as a lifelong partner in your heart?
- Do you want to keep their memory alive as a beautiful story you carry forever?
- Or perhaps, you want to tuck the memories deep inside, and take them out only on special days when you look at photos and remember.
Whatever your vision is, once you imagine that ideal bond, I believe the connection begins to form at that very moment.
Don’t force yourself. Don’t rush. But when you can, take a step forward.
Your beloved pets are waiting for you in the future—connected by the bond you are shaping now.
Knitted Memorials That Carry Love
While talking with customers about their grief, I continue creating custom knitted memorial goods.
One example is the custom knitted body pillow, “Hugging My Pet.”
Each design is made from your pet’s photo, woven in soft yarn that holds the warmth of memory.
See the custom knitted body pillow