Writing a Eulogy for Your Pet (Yes, It Helps)

Why write at all

Grief researchers keep finding the same thing: narrative helps. Turning a swirl of pain into the story of a life — the day you met, the weird habits, the nicknames — gives grief structure and gives love a place to live outside your chest.

Prompts to begin

How they got their name. The first night home. Their three most ridiculous habits. What they were the world champion of. What they knew about you that nobody else did. What you'd say if they could understand one last sentence. Start anywhere; the order doesn't matter.

It doesn't need to be good

This isn't literature; it's love with punctuation. Bullet points count. Voice memos count. A letter addressed to them counts — many people find 'Dear Bella' unlocks everything the blank page wouldn't.

What to do with it

Some families read it again on the anniversary — and find that by the second year, it makes them smile before it makes them cry.