Bereavement

After 17+ years of side-by-side companionship, I said goodbye to Lewis, the "feline love of my life." This article explores the raw, sacred process of a slow farewell: from final home rituals and a symbolic shroud to the "synchronicities" that suggest a lingering connection. It is a reflection on pet bereavement, the power of grief-informed support in the workplace, and how creating meaningful rituals can help bridge the void when a piece of your soul is no longer physical.

Lewis’s euthanasia was scheduled for 17 January 2026. On a very windy, November afternoon, the day after Lewis’s 19th birthday, I stood wailing in the Dawlish Warren nature reserve. I had just moved “beyond the choke”. 

"We’re all too happy to document the early years... but we often forget to document the moments when we’re just relaxing together, perfectly content in each other’s presence." When the time with a best friend is short, a photoshoot isn't about perfection; it’s about capturing the soul. Discover the story behind Lewis’s final portraits and learn how to memorialise your pet’s unique routines and rituals before they are gone.

"There is no getting over them or replacing a person who seemed to have a direct line between their heart and yours." For many, losing a companion animal feels like losing a part of themselves - their dæmon. If you aren’t ready to "take the leap" into ownership again, there are other ways to honour that love. Explore meaningful UK-based alternatives, from fostering for those fleeing domestic violence to supporting terminally ill guardians and their pets.

"Rearing a cat feels vaguely similar to raising a child - in reverse." As Lewis celebrates his 19th birthday, we reflect on the transition from the "age of independence" to a stage of deep dependence. While society offers a village for new parents, caregivers of super-senior pets often navigate the sleepless nights and emotional strain alone. Explore why we need a holistic framework for veterinary palliative care that supports the human at the other end of the leash.

This week, it’s been a year since we moved into a converted barn on a working farm in beautiful Devon. Seeking a quieter life outside of London...