• Preface

    Writing this article hasn't been easy for me. Even now, as I type these words, tears well up in my eyes. I thought I'd grown stronger since my pet's death, but grief has its own rhythm—it comes and goes like the tide. Losing my beloved one is one of the most difficult experiences of my life. The silence left behind is unbearable, and every corner of our home is a reminder of what I've lost.
    But I also know: life goes on, and the love my pet gave me remains vivid in every memory. In this article, I want to share how I've slowly emerged from the shadow of grief. If you've ever been in the same situation I was, my story may bring you a glimmer of hope.

• Let go of regrets

    At first, countless "what ifs" plagued my mind. What if I had taken them to the vet sooner? What if I had changed my feeding habits? What if I had noticed the signs sooner? These thoughts weighed like a heavy yoke, dragging me deeper into guilt. But eventually, I realized: no amount of regret can change the past.
    What mattered was that I loved my cat deeply, providing it with warmth, care, and companionship, letting it know I valued it. Letting go of regret is the first step toward healing.

• Preserve memories

    I remembered the saying, "Death is not the end, forgetfulness is." It stuck with me. I began to treasure everything that held memories of my pets—collars, photos, and so on...
    I backed up all my videos and photos and stored them on multiple hard drives. I wouldn't trust just one device; they were too precious. Each memory is like a thread connecting me to my pets, reminding me that even when life ends, love lives on.

I found that idle time made my sadness worse. So I started filling my days with work, hobbies, and even long walks. Being busy didn't eliminate the sadness, but it made my thoughts a little less dull. Over time, I found moments of peace in the busyness.

    One evening, while browsing TikTok, I stumbled upon a video by Meetcosmos. They make custom wool felt pet memorials—handmade portraits of pets. I was stunned. Something in the video struck a chord with me.
    At first, I hesitated. Could a handmade memorial truly ease grief? But ultimately, I decided to order one. I sent in my favorite cat photo, and the long wait began. Over a month later, the package finally arrived.
    I opened it, and I cried again—but this time, the tears were different. Inside was a small wool felt memorial of my cat. It was more than just an object; it felt like a part of my pet had returned home. The moment I held it, I felt the comfort that had been missing.
    Now, that small felt memorial sits on my desk. Every time I see it, I'm reminded of my cat's love. It can't erase the grief, but it can transform it into tenderness, a treasure I can cherish forever. It was an unexpected step toward healing that I never imagined would be.