Petros, on the pain of separation
A story of pain, recovery, and healing after losing a beloved pet.

A companion animal is an animal that relies emotionally on and lives with people.
Anyone who experiences an unexpected separation from a pet, a family member with whom they share their hearts, love, and communicate, experiences an unspeakable pain.
But life goes on, and the remaining companions must endure deep grief and adapt to the daily life without their pets.
The author says that the pain of separation and loss from a pet is not something to be endured in silence, but rather something that must be healed.
"A Book for Those Who Have Lost Their Pets" is a healing book for those who have lost a pet and are experiencing the pain of loss.
This book, written by veterinary specialist Dr. Lee Hak-beom and psychiatrist Dr. Kim Geon-jong, helps pet owners who have experienced or will experience pet loss recover from the pain of loss.

If your older pet continues to hide in quiet places, don't force them into brighter areas. Instead, quietly watch them prepare for the end.
Sit quietly next to the animal, pet it, and slowly tell it about happy moments in a low voice.
It is also a good idea to bring toys or objects that the animal usually likes next to it.
So that you can feel more comfortable and stable.
It also helps to remove noisy objects and turn off lights.
There is no need to do anything in your pet's final moments.
Just spend some quiet time with them and pet them a lot.
--- p.78, from “The Last Signal of a Companion Animal”

The moment of sending off a life, whether human or animal, must be serious.
It's okay if you don't finish it as if you were catching up on overdue homework.
You can have more time and more mental space.
That's a good way to honor the departed animal, and it's also a good way to soothe my own heart.
--- p.82, from “Rainbow Bridge, What Happened After That”

Deep sorrow and painful mourning are an essential part of love.
Just as the realization that moments are impermanent and that happy moments eventually pass is a prerequisite for the deep and profound joy we feel here and now,
So, shouldn't we mourn the death of our beloved pets with the help of other people who shared their lives with us so that they can remain vividly remembered in our hearts for a long time?
--- p.85, from “To deny death is to give up even the heart of love”

Human death does not necessarily have to be more painful than animal death.
Therefore, Hyeseon does not need to blame herself by saying, 'Is it normal to be sadder than when her mother passed away?'
Even those around you should not criticize you by saying, “You didn’t feel that sad when your mother passed away.”
Because there is no priority given to the magnitude of grief and loss.
--- p.103, from “Petros’s Shock”

Pets give us absolute love and trust.
He always waits for us at the door, wagging his tail, licking our faces and coming to rest next to us.
They never let us down, whether we're feeling good or bad, whether we're engrossed in our work and momentarily absentminded, whether we're angry and irritable, or whether we're so busy talking to someone that we don't even notice our pets around.
They look at us with unwavering eyes, without looking elsewhere.
Without any hidden intentions, without any secret purpose, it shows bright affection without hiding anything.
--- p.107, from “The relationship with a pet is ‘special’ above all else”

It is often said that when dealing with someone who has experienced pet loss, sensitivity is the most important thing.
Based on sensitivity, 'providing a foundation for naturally accepting the experience and grief of losing an animal' should be the first step in helping those around them grieve after the loss of their pet.
We need to provide an environment where loss can be understood and accepted.
Accepting grief is difficult, but it is necessary.
--- p.124, from "Please Don't Say Anything"

Pets value 'joy and pleasure' more than 'sadness and pain'.
They don't just feel sad because they're sick, and they don't give up because they have to take medicine for the rest of their lives.
I do my best to find 'momentary happiness' and enjoy even small joys.
How about we, like our pets, strive to spend our remaining time more meaningfully and happily? That may be our four-legged teacher's final lesson.

--- p.227, from “The Four-Legged Teacher”