25/04/2026
2026 marks 10 years since Yuyu and Yumi came home to me. A whole decade of growing up together, of routines, quiet moments, and memories that have shaped me in ways words can’t fully capture. And today, even the “baby” of the family is 11 years old. Time has a way of moving faster than we expect.
Today also brought a reality I’ve been trying not to face. Yuyu has been diagnosed with cognitive canine dysfunction. She is losing her sight, her sense of smell, her sense of day and night, and often feels anxious and unsettled. I am exploring medication to help her, but today was the first time I had to sit across from a vet and ask, “What should I expect at the end of her life?”
I left knowing that time is inevitable. All I can do now is focus on giving her the best quality of life for as long as she has.
Earlier this year, I also lost a close family member. It was the first time I truly understood grief. There was a moment when I thought it might be easier to become distant and not let anyone or any pet get too close again, just to protect myself from future pain. But I know that isn’t the answer. Choosing to love has always meant accepting that one day, we will have to say goodbye. And it would be a greater loss to deny ourselves the years of companionship, trust, and happiness that come before that.
I still find myself wondering if I could have done more as a pet owner. But deep down, I know I have loved them the best I could, and I believe they know that too.
So now, I’m choosing to be more intentional. To slow down, to be present, and to give them the companionship they ask for in the small, everyday moments.
Levupets was always a play on “love you” and 礼物. It serves as a reminder that love is both something we give and receive.
So if you have a pet, hold them a little closer everyday. Be patient with them as they change. Sit with them a little longer. Love them with more intention.
Because in the end, it is not about how long we have with them, but how fully we choose to show up for them while we do.
