Your Pet Loss Stories

'Carrying Bella With Me After Saying Goodbye'

by Jenny
(Butterworth)

Losing Bella was one of the hardest things I have ever gone through. She was not “just a pet” to me. She was part of the family, part of my daily routine, and part of so many quiet moments that I did not realise I would miss until they were gone.

Bella had been with me through good days, bad days, house moves, family changes and ordinary evenings where she would curl up beside me as if that was exactly where she was meant to be. When she became unwell, I knew deep down that our time together was becoming shorter, but nothing really prepares you for the silence that follows.

After she passed, the house felt different. Her bed was still there. Her lead was still by the door. I kept expecting to hear her paws on the floor or see her face looking up at me. The grief came in waves. Some days I could talk about her and smile, and other days a tiny reminder would completely undo me.

We decided to have Bella cremated, and for a while I did not know what to do with her ashes. I wanted something meaningful, but I also wanted something gentle and personal. I did not want to feel like I was putting her away. I wanted to feel like a little part of her could still be close to me.

That was when I found Borrowed Moments.

Their pet memorial jewellery felt different to me because it was not just about buying something. It felt like creating a small, personal keepsake in memory of a much-loved companion. Reading through their pet memorial jewellery guide helped me understand the options and made the whole process feel less overwhelming.

I chose a keepsake that could include a small amount of Bella’s ashes. Sending them away was emotional, but the guidance made it feel safe and respectful. I liked knowing that only a small amount was needed and that anything unused would be returned. That mattered to me more than I expected.

When the jewellery arrived, I cried before I even opened it properly. It was not because it took the grief away. Nothing can do that. But it gave me something comforting to hold onto. Something I could wear close to my heart. Something that reminded me that Bella’s love had not disappeared just because she was no longer physically here.

Now, when I miss her, I often touch the necklace without even thinking. It has become a quiet little habit. It reminds me of muddy walks, sleepy cuddles, her funny ways, and the unconditional love only animals seem to give.

Pet loss is incredibly painful because our pets are woven into our everyday lives. They are there when we wake up, when we come home, when we are lonely, when we are happy, and when we need comfort. Losing them leaves a space that other people do not always understand.

For anyone going through pet loss, my only advice is to let yourself grieve properly. Do not feel silly for crying. Do not let anyone make you feel that your loss is small. Love is love, and the bond we share with our animals is real.

Creating a memorial keepsake helped me feel that Bella was still close in a small but meaningful way. It did not replace her, and it did not remove the sadness, but it gave me comfort on the days when I needed something to hold onto.

Bella will always be missed, but she will also always be loved. And now, in a quiet way, I can carry a little part of her with me wherever I go.

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If reading this has brought up something you’re carrying, you don’t have to sit with it alone.