"Is This Also Abuse?" The Day I Faced the "Hate Comments" on My Social Media Post

It's surprisingly difficult to "showcase life with your beloved cat" on social media. Even things that an owner might consider "obvious not to do" can lead to a storm of criticism and account flaming if not properly explained beforehand. 

Throughout my 12 years of operating my X (formerly Twitter) account, I've received anti-comments and even been accused of "abuse," which has repeatedly led me to re-evaluate our lives.

Stop calling cats "tanuki" because it's abuse.

My beloved cat Jiji, who passed away last May, was not very cat-like; she was more like a "tanuki" (raccoon dog). I was happy that so many people adored her distinctive and lovable appearance when she was alive.

Because I thought, "She's a cat, but she looks like a tanuki—that's just too cute!", I often called Jiji "Tanupon" or "Tanutanu."

It seems that calling her "tanuki" was perceived as "making fun of a cat." Initially, I occasionally received DMs saying, "Calling her tanuki is pitiful" or "It's abuse."

When I received such opinions, I realized for the first time that some people interpret calling a cat "tanuki" in the same way as using insults like "idiot." I reflected that it was due to my lack of understanding.

However, I didn't stop calling Jiji "Tanu-chan" or "Tanupon." For me, those words expressed "love," not "malice."

And the fact that the word "tanuki" itself doesn't carry malice is also why I continued using it. I thought that "tanuki" refers to an actual animal and isn't a derogatory term like "idiot."

I continued to refer to Jiji as a "tanuki cat who wasn't very cat-like" until her passing, so perhaps some people found it unpleasant.

However, I infused that nickname with the sentiment of "It's okay not to be cat-like" and "You're a unique and adorable tanuki cat." For me, "Tanutanu" and "Tanupon" were also words that expressed my love for her just as she was.

By the way, Jiji's excessively curled whiskers were unusual, and I sometimes received comments like, "You should take precautions to keep her away from the stove because it's dangerous" or "You're intentionally curling her whiskers with her claws." I was surprised, thinking, "Is that how it looks...?"

Rest assured. Her curled whiskers were always natural throughout her life.

Video of moving my beloved cat's paw was met with cries of "abuse."

Of course, I enjoy seeing and photographing two cats together, but I also love seeing and photographing human-cat duos. They sometimes show expressions you wouldn't see with just cats.

Videos, in particular, always warm my heart with the relationship they show between owners and their cats.

About 5 or 6 years ago, I occasionally uploaded short videos of my interactions with my beloved cat on X. One day, I uploaded a video of myself holding Jiji and gently moving her paws to the rhythm while singing the "Obento-bako no Uta" (Lunchbox Song).

Then, someone commented "abuse," and I learned the broad extent of what can be perceived as animal cruelty.

Jiji was a calm cat, so much so that she could undergo an anesthetic-free CT scan, but she was also the type who absolutely wouldn't do anything she disliked. I could only hold her tightly on my lap when she was in a good mood. If she didn't like it, she'd run away, and I would never force her.

However, social media is a place where strangers who don't know each other's daily lives gather. I learned through this experience that if I don't meticulously explain such premises, things can be perceived differently from what I intended.

SNS makes it easy to feel like you're seeing someone's daily life. However, what is shown there is only a tiny part of their life.

I realized I needed to acknowledge that fact myself, and when things were perceived differently than I intended, I wanted to be an owner who could clearly communicate my feelings and the daily life that isn't evident from social media.

Is it okay to post an animal's urn on social media?

The opinion that made me think the most was, "Is it okay to post an animal's urn on social media?" which I received after Jiji passed away.

During our conversation in replies, that person said, "I think it's still fine for animals, but for humans, it's not something you'd normally post..." but it made me think, "Indeed, an urn, regardless of who it's for, is a sensitive object..."

However, I also deeply understand the feelings of an owner who posts an urn. In my case, "urn = Jiji," so when I posted it on social media, it felt like I was "posting Jiji."

There are various opinions regarding posting photos of animal remains on social media, such as whether they should be marked as sensitive content. Perhaps in the future, public awareness regarding posting urns on social media will also change. I feel this opinion arises because animals are now considered family members, not just pets.

Comments that seem like hate comments can really sting and keep you awake at night. However, constructive opinions, not just mere slander, can also be an opportunity to reflect on your daily life.

It's impossible for humans to completely understand each other, but I think there are often overlapping thoughts and values. When you listen carefully to someone else's opinion, you might sometimes accept it, thinking, "My thoughts are different, but that's a valid way of thinking."

Therefore, I will continue to stream my daily life with my beloved cats, blocking only impression zombies, and through dialogue, re-examine how I interact with and love cats. To all my followers, and even those who aren't, let's chat a lot through social media!

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