Gon, a four-year-old male Japanese Spitz, is laid to rest on Friday, November 1, after battling a liver infection since June. JOWN MANALO / INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – For many people, pets are family and have become part of the fabric of everyday life – reliable sources of comfort, joy, and even routine.
From greeting their owners at the door to snuggling up at the end of a long day, pets weave themselves into our lives so seamlessly that their absence is felt profoundly once they are gone.
Unlike other relationships, our bond with our pets exists in these small, unspoken moments, moments that we rely on more than we realize.
Hence, for sisters Juliet Villa and Joy Villa, losing Gon was as painful and heartbreaking as losing a family member.
Gon was a four-year-old male Japanese Spitz gifted to them by one of their neighbors.
Joy shared in an interview with INQUIRER.net on Friday that Gon used to be a cute and jolly dog who played with them until he suddenly acquired a liver infection in June.
“He was the only dog we ever took care of. We used to be afraid of dogs, but when a neighbor gave him to us, we accepted him. He was just so cute, especially when he was little,” Joy recalled.
Gon crossed the rainbow bridge before 6 p.m. on Thursday.
“We cried so much then, even our older brother couldn’t be here [at the burial]. Even after several hours of her passing, we were still crying,” Juliet shared.
Joy recounted her family’s final moments with Gon, sharing how he fought bravely until his last breath.
“We took him to the vet on Thursday, where he was given an injection for his cold and anti-inflammatory medication for his liver, injected in both his left and right legs. But he could not stay still when we got home and was bumping into things. He had become weak, and his tongue was hanging out. Mama gave him water and food, using a syringe to feed him. He was no longer responsive, but we could feel that he was still fighting at that time,” she narrated.
The Villa sisters even bought a new food bowl and a fresh supply of medications in hopes of helping Gon recover.
However, he sadly remained weak and unresponsive and did not show the same vitality as before.
“We only left him with Mama for three hours because we were watching over my child. But when we got home, he was no longer breathing,” Joy said.
Juliet and Joy laid Gon to rest at Barangay Fortune Pet Memorial Garden in Marikina City on Friday morning.
Long coat chihuahua Fudgee’s grave at Barangay Fortune Pet Memorial Garden in Marikina City. JOWN MANALO / INQUIRER.net
Meanwhile, dog owner John Gantay visited his late pet Fudgee on Friday morning to honor his memory during the Undas celebration.
Gantay shared that Fudgee was a male long-coat chihuahua gifted to his family by his wife’s sibling since they were fond of dogs.
“Mahilig po kami sa aso talaga. Bukod po kay Fudgee dati, meron po kaming dalawang shih tzu at dalawang dachshund. Kahit yung mga anak ko po, di po yan takot sa mga hayop,” Gantay told INQUIRER.net on Friday.
Fudgee lived with Gantay’s family for one year, spending most of the time with his kids since he and his wife were often at work.
Which is why it was his children who were the most heartbroken when Fudgee passed away on Wednesday evening.
“Sadly, Fudgee is gone. The kids cried when he died. But, of course, that’s how it is. You have to accept it. At least we can visit him here at the cemetery,” Gantay expressed.
Gantay added that they might not adopt or buy new pets yet since Fudgee’s passing has left them grieving deeply.
“We might not adopt a dog for now because we are still grieving the loss. After a year, we can consider it. We need to move on first because we really loved our dog. We already miss having him at home,” he said.
Similar to Gon, Fudgee was laid to rest on Thursday at Barangay Fortune Pet Memorial Garden in Marikina City.
Gantay shared that his children even woke up early to visit their beloved pet, whom they deeply miss.
While some have the chance to say a proper goodbye, just like the Villa sisters and Gantay, many pet losses happen suddenly, leaving owners grappling with shock as well as grief.
This sentiment resonated with Jorelyn Pepito, who experienced a profound sense of loss when her pet cat Butter passed away in April.
“He was poisoned, that’s why he died,” Pepito revealed in an interview on Friday.
Pepito shared with INQUIRER.net that Butter was naturally lively and playful, qualities they miss the most about him.
“She was our life’s lucky charm; she was very lively. In fact, many wanted to adopt her before,” the cat owner said.
Butter was just days away from his first birthday when he sadly crossed the rainbow bridge far too soon.
“It’s just sad that there are people like that who poison cats, because we took care of her, and then she just dies like that,” Pepito expressed.
While grieving for pets remains a largely private affair, the love and sorrow pet owners feel are genuine and significant.
READ: Remembering our furry family: Filipinos honor deceased pets, strays
Whether through quiet remembrance, shared memories, or by opening their hearts to new animals, pet owners gradually learn to live with the loss, carrying forward the lessons and love their pets brought into their lives.
Ultimately, the grief over losing a pet serves as a poignant reminder of the immense joy they bring into our lives, leaving an indelible mark that lasts for a lifetime.
And for those who have known their companionship, the goodbye may be painful, but the love they shared will always be eternal.