How Social Media Saved Me | Caring for a Bedridden Pet

Watching them change little by little due to dementia.
Even though I was by their side every day and my love for them never changed—

Muscles wasting away as they became bedridden.
Their facial expressions changing, their fur texture changing.

Even though I worked as a veterinary nurse,
the moment I got home and saw my pet, I would be filled with anxiety.

At times like that, what supported me was Twitter at the time (now X).

An account where I had been posting about my pet (Hana) since before the dementia started.

Even after she developed dementia and became bedridden,
without changing,

"She's so cute."
"She's doing her best."

I was saved by the followers who left comments like that every day.

Among those who commented,
there were others who were also working hard to care for their own bedridden pets.

When I felt it was tough,

"I'm not alone."
"There are others working just as hard."

Just being able to think that made my heart feel a little lighter.

Above all,
being able to share how cute my pet was with others
made me very happy.

Night crying.
Constant care.
Worrying about their health.

I think everyone has moments where their mental state breaks down.

I didn't really have a place nearby
where I could vent my feelings
or someone I could share them with.

That is exactly why
having people empathize with "my pet's hard work" on social media
and having them cheer us on made me truly happy.

In this day and age,
there are things like hateful comments,
so I wouldn't actively recommend it,

but if there is someone out there struggling with nowhere to vent—

it might be okay to share
a little bit of how your child is doing their best.

Surely, there are times when friends who empathize will find you.

Lastly.

When I reread the words I posted
on Twitter (now X) back then
when I was in the middle of bedridden care,
I thought, 'That's exactly right.'

↓

『Since Hana has changed from before,

there are times when it's painful,

but because she requires so much care,
there are also many times when I feel she is even more precious.

Above all,
I am grateful that she has lived long enough to need care.

Puppy,
adult,
and senior,

every stage
is so precious and cute.

However, every stage passes in the blink of an eye.

Everyone,
let's cherish each and every moment,

love them a lot,

face them a lot,

and enjoy it a lot!』

I think these words came out precisely because I was struggling.

Looking at X for the first time in a while,
the emotions from back then came flooding back.

Thank you, Hana