The deep pain of losing a pet

Four-year-old Japanese Spitz boy Gon was buried on Friday, November 1, after battling a liver infection since June. JOWN MANALO / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – For many people, pets are family and have become part of the fabric of daily life; reliable sources of comfort, joy, and even routine.

From greeting their owners at the door to snuggling at the end of a long day, pets blend into our lives so seamlessly that their absence is felt deeply after they’re gone.

Unlike other relationships, our bond with our pets is forged in these small, unspoken moments, moments when we trust more than we realize.

So for sisters Juliet Villa and Joy Villa, losing Gon was as painful and heartbreaking as losing a family member.

Gon was a four-year-old male Japanese Spitz who was given to them as a gift by one of their neighbors.

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Joy shared in an interview with INQUIRER.net on Friday that Gon was a cute and cheerful dog who played with them until he suddenly contracted a liver infection in June.

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“He was the only dog ​​we kept. We used to be afraid of dogs, but when a neighbor gave him to us, we accepted him. Joy remembered that he was very sweet, especially when he was little.

Gon crossed the rainbow bridge before 6pm on Thursday.

“We cried so much at that time that even our brother couldn’t be here (at the funeral). Even hours after his death, we were still crying,” Juliet shared.

Joy described her family’s last moments with Gon, telling how he fought bravely until his last breath. “On Thursday we took him to the vet where he was injected with anti-inflammatory medication for his cold and his liver. left and right legs. But when we got home he couldn’t sit still and was hitting things. He was emaciated and his tongue was hanging out. His mother gave him water and food, using a syringe to feed him. “He was no longer reacting, but we could feel that he was still fighting at that time,” he said.

The Villa brothers even bought a new food bowl and fresh medicine in hopes of helping Gon recover.

But unfortunately he remained weak and unresponsive and did not show the same vitality as before.

“Because we were keeping an eye on my child, we only left him with my mother for three hours. But when we got home he wasn’t breathing anymore,” Joy said.

Juliet and Joy buried Gon on Friday morning at Barangay Fortune Pet Memorial Garden in Marikina City.

The grave of long-coated chihuahua Fudgee at Barangay Fortune Pet Memorial Garden in Marikina City. JOWN MANALO / INQUIRER.net

Meanwhile, dog owner John Gantay visited his late pet Fudgee on Friday morning to honor his memory during the Undas celebration.

Gantay shared that Fudgee is a male, long-coated chihuahua who was gifted to his family by his wife’s brother because of his fondness for dogs.

“Mahilig po kami sa aso talaga. Bukod po kay Fudgee data, meron po kaming dalawang shih tzu dan dalawang dachshund. Kahit yung mga anak ko po, di po yan takot sa mga hayop,” Gantay told INQUIRER.net on Friday.

Fudgee lived with Gantay’s family for a year, spending most of his time with his children as he and his wife were often at work.

That’s why when Fudgee passed away on Wednesday evening, it was his children who were most heartbroken.

“Sadly Fudgee is gone. The children cried when he died. But of course it is like that. You must agree. At least we can visit him here in the cemetery,” Gantay expressed.

Gantay added that they cannot adopt or buy new pets yet because Fudgee’s passing has made them deeply saddened.

“We may not adopt a dog for now because we are still grieving the loss. We can evaluate it after a year. We need to move on first because we truly loved our dog. “We already miss seeing him at home,” he said.

Similar to Gon, Fudgee was buried on Thursday at Barangay Fortune Pet Memorial Garden in Marikina City.

Gantay shared that his children even wake up early to visit their pets that they miss very much.

While some, like the Villa siblings and Gantay, have the chance to say a proper goodbye, many pet losses occur suddenly and owners are left grappling with shock as well as sadness.

This sentiment resonated with Jorelyn Pepito, who felt a deep sense of loss when her pet cat, Butter, passed away in April.

“He was poisoned, that’s why he died,” Pepito said in an interview on Friday.

Pepito shared with INQUIRER.net that Butter was naturally lively and playful, the qualities they missed most.

“He was the lucky charm of our life; It was very lively. “Actually, many people wanted to adopt him before,” said the cat owner.

Unfortunately, Butter was only a few days away from his first birthday when he crossed the rainbow bridge too early.

“It’s so sad that there are people like this who poison cats, because we took care of it and then it just died,” Pepito expressed.

While grieving for pets remains largely a private matter, the love and sadness felt by pet owners is real and meaningful.

TO READ: We remember our furry family: Filipinos honor deceased pets and strays

By making silent memories, shared memories, or opening their hearts to new animals, pet owners gradually learn to live with the loss, carry the lessons forward, and love the pets they welcome into their lives.

Ultimately, the pain of losing a pet serves as a poignant reminder of the immense happiness they bring to our lives, leaving an indelible mark that will last a lifetime.

And for those who knew their friendship, farewell may be painful, but the love they shared will always be eternal.