fwancheen

Last year, I said goodbye to two of the greatest loves of my life.

Wafu, my 16-year-old Shih Tzu, and Falkor, my 14-year-old Pekingese.

They were with me through so many chapters of my life — the beautiful moments, the painful ones, the struggles no one saw, the dreams, the heartbreaks, and the little victories. Through everything… they stayed.

Looking back now, I truly believe they came into my life for a reason. They kept me grounded during the hardest seasons of my life. They gave me comfort when I felt alone, strength when I felt like giving up, and a kind of unconditional love that only animals can give.

Sometimes, I wonder if they knew all along that their purpose was to walk beside me through some of the most difficult and transformative moments of my journey — until one day, they felt I was finally ready.

As painful as losing them has been, a part of me believes their mission with me was complete. Not because the love ended, but because they had already given me everything I needed: love, strength, comfort, and the courage to keep going.

Thank you, Wafu and Falkor, for loving me through every version of myself. I hope you know how deeply you changed my life.