To those who have lost a beloved cat to pet loss—5 cat books that will heal your “wounded heart”

Immediately after losing my beloved cat, Jiji, I tried my best to avoid anything related to "death" to protect my heart. This was because any contact with things that reminded me of death would intensify my feelings for Jiji, making me feel like an unbearable explosion of sadness and pain was about to erupt.

However, the human heart is stronger than one thinks. After a few months of living this way, the unbearable pain gradually subsided, and conversely, I felt compelled to read books about pet loss and "death."

This time, I will introduce five cat books that I felt "were good to encounter" after pet loss. I hope you will pick them up when your unbearable pain has begun to subside a little.

A "cat comic essay" depicting the care of a beloved cat with cancer and "what comes after"

I lost my beloved cat to cancer, specifically "hemangiosarcoma." Perhaps that's why "The Cat Who Made Me the Happiest Owner in the World" (Yuko Neko / KADOKAWA), which chronicles the grief and rebirth of a family who also lost their beloved cat to cancer, deeply resonated with me.

This work is a tear-jerking masterpiece that fully depicts the days with my beloved cat, Chan-yan, whom I rescued 15 years ago. The struggles, pain, and trial-and-error days after my cat was diagnosed with cancer were realistically portrayed, and I found myself engrossed in reading it.

Many works themed around parting with beloved pets often end with "care" or "death." However, this work also depicts "the life that follows" chosen by the family who cared for their beloved cat and overcame their suffering and sadness, so it also gives you strength.

Tears flowed for the "love for their servant" spoken by the dignified, condescending cat-sama...

I miss the days of being at the mercy of my self-paced, carefree cat-sama... "My Servant" (Sora Ueno: author / Tamami Kumakura: illustrator / AlphaPolis) is a picture book that will resonate with those who hold such feelings.

The main character, a cat named "Watashi" (I), started living with a 4-year-old boy at the owner's house. The cat's dignified nature, referring to the boy as "geboku" (servant), was adorable, and I saw my own free-spirited cat in her.

The dignified "Watashi" always spent enjoyable days with "geboku" from a condescending perspective, but when she sensed her impending death, her love for "geboku" was revealed, and I burst into tears...

My own cat was also stubborn and carefree in odd ways, but I couldn't help but imagine if he also had such "servant love."

A "current nurse" illustrates the daily lives of animals in heaven!

While "How Is Life in Heaven?" (Yukari Nakayama / KADOKAWA) features animals other than cats, it's a moving read for anyone who has experienced pet loss. This is because it focuses on the lives of animals in heaven, which we can only imagine.

The author is a current nurse and illustrator. Perhaps because she deals with life and death every day, her work conveys a gentle thoughtfulness and consideration for "death."

This work is, after all, a creation... Even knowing that, I couldn't stop the warm tears from flowing, wishing that my lost companion was also living in such a gentle world. After reading it, my T-shirt was literally drenched with tears.

What kind of place is the Rainbow Bridge where my beloved is? Is he feeling lonely? When such worries crossed my mind, I think this book served as a source of emotional support.

"Relaxed cat manga" that validates "days when you can't try hard"

After pet loss, you might chastise yourself, thinking "I have to get over this sadness quickly" or "I have to try harder." In my case, I couldn't relax until I gave myself permission to cry for as long as I needed to.

"Mii-chan Doesn't Try Hard Today (Comic)" (esk / Akishobo) is a book I recommend picking up at such times. Precisely because it's not a book specifically about pet loss, it might be easier to reach for even when you're overwhelmed with sadness.

The cat, Mii-chan, lives by the motto, "Don't try hard." She straightforwardly and uniquely reframes negative thoughts about events into positive ones with her insightful quotes.

The cute illustrations in this work are also healing. I hope you pick it up before you feel like you've reached your limit and "can't try anymore."

An illustrated book with surreal humor and unexpectedly profound quotes that resonate with the heart

"Chibi Gallery" (Bon Voyage / Goma Books) is also not a work about pet loss, but it's personally one of my favorite series. In fact, I've loved it since elementary school and even collected stickers.

This work features an animal illustration and a witty quote on each page. There isn't a continuous story, but the cuteness of the illustrations on each page is healing, and the profound quotes, which make you chuckle, often lead you to think, "That's so true..."

By the way, my personal favorite is the page with a cute pig in a pot and the quote, "You have a flavor that only you can create."

In this way, you can enjoy illustrations that bring surreal humor and insightful quotes, so even those who don't usually read books much should find it easy to pick up. Reading it will surely make you want to ask yourself philosophical questions like, "What is truly important to me...?"

Sadness and pain can be difficult to put into words, so it's easy to bottle them up alone, but if you hold them in too much, your precious heart can break.

Therefore, when you can't talk to someone, or don't have anyone to talk to, I want you to read about the experiences of others who have gone through similar situations, or pick up a book with a message that tells you it's okay not to try so hard. I believe this emotional release is crucial for living a future after losing your beloved cat.

I hope the cat books introduced this time can provide even a little relief from the sadness and pain after pet loss.

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