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#anastaya

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Rest easy, sweet Kuma 🌈 This is the most difficult video I’ve ever published. Please watch with care. === Around this time last year, you may remember that I met Mariko and her senior dog, Kuma.

After that initial photoshoot, we stayed in touch. I enjoyed reading regular updates about Kuma.

Unfortunately, Kuma’s health declined rapidly over the last year.

He had already lost one of his eyes, and was losing vision in the other. He was losing his hearing, and his ability to walk. 

But most difficult of all was the cognitive decline. He would walk in circles with his head down, cry through the night, and get confused often. It became clear that his quality of life was no longer there. 

So Mariko made the most loving—and hardest—decision a pet owner can make. We spent Kuma’s final day together in the sunshine. I captured their last photos, and she shared her story.🙏 === I know this isn’t an easy topic. But if you’ve ever loved and lost a pet, or faced that impossible decision, I hope her story helps you feel a little less alone. This video should be looked at as a celebration of life, rather than a loss. Mariko gave Kuma the most beautiful life—and the most gentle goodbye. She made him pancakes with maple syrup. Took him to his favourite treat shop. Gave him massages, a million kisses, and reminded him that he was loved. Kuma would’ve been 16 next week. She said in Japanese, there’s a word—otsukarasama—something you say after someone has worked hard or given their all. It doesn’t translate perfectly. But it’s what she wanted to say to Kuma. Otsukarasama, Kuma. You did so well. You were so loved. === 📍 Vancouver, BC