"If this cat dies, you won't be able to make money, right?" Words said to an owner before their cat passed away—the answer from an owner who struggled with the thought, "Had I turned him into a business?"

For over 10 years, I have been sharing my life with my beloved cats on social media. My cat Gigi, who passed away last year, was a "bundle of personality," and because of this, she was cherished as a "star cat" or "popular cat." This led to many opportunities for corporate collaborations and product proposals.

However, after Gigi's illness was discovered, a comment someone made to me pierced my heart, leading me to wonder if I had been unconsciously exploiting my cat as a "business." I was tormented by the soul-searching question: "Was she truly happy to have come to live with me?"

"You can't make money once she's gone, can you?" Struggling with a comment made after my cat's diagnosis

Why were her whiskers so crooked? And why was the fur around her face so poofy? Gigi was an adorable cat, full of mysterious quirks.

As I continued to post on social media, the number of fans who loved her grew. Influenced by my own background as a writer covering cat-related topics, I also began accepting corporate assignments.

But no matter how famous she became, to me, Gigi was priceless from the very beginning. Just because she became popular or gained more fans didn't change how I interacted with her or the love I poured into her.

The same holds true for the two other cats I live with. Being more "traditionally cat-like" than Gigi, they often take a backseat on social media. But to me, they have always been my perfect, precious family from the start.

Gigi's illness was discovered in the winter of 2024. After being given a prognosis, I was terrified of the future where Gigi would no longer be there, and I poured my anxieties out to friends and family.

It was in the midst of this that someone casually remarked, "You can't make money once she's gone, can you?" It was cruel. I felt that deeply, but I also thought, "To a third party, it probably does look like I'm commodifying Gigi." I began to question whether the days I had built up with her were truly right.

Words from a counselor that resonated with my guilt-ridden heart

It is true that I sometimes asked for Gigi's cooperation during corporate projects. And can I really say I wasn't turning her into a business by posting her innate personality on social media and enjoying conversations with my followers?

That unease grew day by day, and there were several times I apologized to Gigi, saying, "I'm sorry for making you help with work."

After watching over her through her illness and losing her, that guilt only worsened. I even began to think, "Maybe Gigi would have been happier if she had been welcomed by someone else..."

Unable to bear the pain, I went to a counseling session one day and poured out all my thoughts. The counselor responded with gentle words: "The love you had for her came through in your photos. Gigi was your family, but she was also your business partner, wasn't she?"

When she said that, the floodgates of my tears opened. The perspective of "she was family and a business partner" felt incredibly right to me.

"That's right. I wasn't posting my days with Gigi for the sake of business. I wanted to change the reality where tortoiseshell cats are harder to adopt by showing everyone how cute she was." I was able to remember my original intention.

As the owner of a star cat, I reflect on the importance of prioritizing the "Cat First" approach

Just as the counselor said, I never intended to make a business out of Gigi while she was alive; it felt more like I was working alongside her. You could say she was a dependable colleague—or perhaps even a heartening mentor.

When I asked for her cooperation in corporate projects, I would observe her natural behavior and learn from her perspective—thinking, "Oh, so if it's improved this way, it's easier to use," and providing that honest feedback to the companies.

When we had a collaboration card made, I was so happy that I showed it to her, saying, "Gigi! Look what a treasure we have!" and posted her genuine reaction on social media. There was no power dynamic where I would instruct her, "Do this because I want this kind of shot."

I have a blue checkmark on X, but that is only so that information about the rare diseases I report on can reach the people who need it most. In reality, I have only earned significant profit a few times, and that money went toward my cats' food, treats, and medical expenses.

That is why the counselor's words, "family and business partner," rang so true for me, and I believe that is why my sense of unease faded away.

When your cat becomes increasingly popular and is called a "star cat," the environment surrounding the owner changes little by little—but surely.

As you receive requests for interviews from web media, magazines, or television, or contact from companies, desires may arise that stray far from your original, humble wish to simply "have people see how cute my cat is."

But I believe that it is precisely when your surroundings change that you are tested on "how you face the creature that is a cat."

I was able to love her fully to the end. Through Gigi's death, I learned that to be able to feel that way, it is vital to keep maintaining the perspective of "Am I treating my cat as an equal?" and "Am I neglecting the cat's heart?" even when the environment around you changes.

Regardless of stardom or fame, every cat is inherently and equally cute. I want to continue interacting with my cats without forgetting that fundamental "love" inside me.

Related Articles

The Cat-Shaped Hole That Won't Fill... An Owner Who Lost Her Cat Decides on a “Way to Reunite with Gigi” During the Obon Season a Year Later

"I hope a day comes when I can meet her again." Those who have experienced parting with their beloved cats hold onto that wish, waiting for that "someday." My beloved Gigi left for heaven last May. On the second Obon since her passing, I vowed to put into action my plan for a "way to reunite with Gigi."