Losing a beloved pet is one of the hardest journeys we go through as pet parents. For me, this became a deeply personal realization after losing my 10-year-old English Mastiff, Ash, and, later, his best buddy, a 15-year-old cat named Kuzya. These heartbreaking losses ignited my passion for photographing senior pets and, most importantly, creating and preserving priceless memories through printed art that celebrates the life and the bond we share with them.
Like many of you, I have thousands of digital photos of Ash and Kuzya on my phone. I cherish them deeply, as they highlight countless happy moments we shared. But there are two pictures that hold a special place in my heart—two prints that hang on my wall, bringing me comfort and joy even in my moments of grief.
One picture is of Ash, lying peacefully on his favorite pillow, eyes closed, resting after enjoying his favorite dinner. At the time, we already knew his devastating bone sarcoma diagnosis. We were navigating the stages of grief—shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and, eventually, acceptance. We knew our days together were limited, so we focused on filling them with as much love and joy as possible.Ash was stronger than all of us. He exuded a sense of calmness and peace that helped us face the inevitable. The moment I saw him lying so serenely on his pillow, I knew I needed to capture it. That photograph became a treasure, preserving the love and courage he gave us in his final days. Even 11 years later, I still grieve for my gentle giant, but seeing his picture on my wall fills my heart with warmth and love.
The second picture is of Kuzya, my resilient and fearless cat. Kuzya wasn’t just a cat—he was the king of his world. Our neighbors called him "the killer" because of his bold and unyielding spirit. He was afraid of nothing. Kuzya’s happy place was the woods near our home, where he had many adventures. He once stood his ground against a fox and sent it running. Another time, he decided to join a friend and her two massive Cane Corso dogs on a walk—much to their disbelief. The dogs tried everything to scare him off, barking and posturing, but Kuzya stood his ground, calm and unbothered, staring them down until they finally gave up, begrudgingly respected him, and accepted him as part of the pack for the rest of the walk.
We lost Kuzya when he was 15. He wandered into his beloved woods one day and never returned. That loss remains one of the hardest for me, made even harder by the lack of closure. But I have a picture of him on my wall, captured during one of his famous, demanding “meows.” It always makes me smile, reminding me of his bold, loving spirit.
If you have a senior furry companion in your life, I encourage you to reach out to a professional who understands the depth of these bonds. With my experience as a professional pet photographer and certified grief coach for pet loss, I bring a unique combination of skills to help you create and preserve meaningful memories. Together, we won’t just capture beautiful moments—we’ll craft unique, personalized printed art that celebrates the life and spirit of your beloved pet. These keepsakes will be cherished forever, ensuring their memory lives on in your heart and home.