Journaling Through Grief

Journaling Through Grief: Healing After Pet Loss Through Art

Grief is an unavoidable part of life. We all experience it in different ways, and no amount of preparation can truly soften the pain. It can feel overwhelming, unpredictable, and deeply personal. As an artist, I’ve always turned to creativity to process emotions—but nothing prepared me for the loss of my best friend, my beloved dog Chalupa.

Remembering Chalupa, My Constant Companion

Chalupa wasn’t just a pet—she was my partner through life’s toughest moments. She stood by me while I adjusted to being an empty nester and comforted me through the loss of my father. She joined me on every adventure, from hiking trails and barking at the unknown to stretching beside me during morning yoga. She guarded the rope while we went rock climbing, explored beaches, mountains, and desert trails in Utah, perched high in Colorado, wandered through Marfa, and even sat as my best “art critic” in the studio.

Her presence was woven into my daily rhythm, both in life and in art.

The Heartbreak of Pet Loss

In her final years, Chalupa’s health began to decline. We went to countless vets and specialists, tried every treatment we could, but no one could ever explain the cause of her recurring illnesses. Watching her body grow weaker was incredibly hard. She could no longer climb the stairs to my art studio, and even her usual excitement for walks slowly faded. I needed to find new ways for us to stay connected and let her still experience the world she loved.

I bought a kayak. Out on the river, she would sit close beside me, alert to every movement in the water, her ears catching the breeze. For a little while, she could still explore and be part of an adventure. Those quiet moments on the water became some of our last shared joys—simple, real, and alive.

Then, suddenly, she was gone. Chalupa passed at home, with me right there by her side. I thought I was prepared, but I wasn’t. The house felt unbearably quiet, and the studio that had once held her steady presence suddenly felt empty.

That emptiness drew me back to my art. I started painting and sketching Chalupa from our time together—on the river, hiking, or resting in the studio. Each stroke became a way to process the loss and hold onto the life we shared. My art became more than a creative outlet; it became a way to navigate grief and keep her memory present in my life.

Turning Grief Into Art (Journaling Through Grief)

As an artist, my canvas has always been a reflection of my inner world. To cope with this loss, I began painting and sketching Chalupa from our adventures together. Each brushstroke became a way to hold on to her memory while releasing the heaviness in my heart.

This practice—what I call “Journaling Through Grief”—transformed my mourning into a creative process. Instead of focusing on her absence, I found myself celebrating the joy, loyalty, and love she brought into my life.

Creative Healing and Expression

Grief cannot be rushed, but it can be expressed. Through art, I discovered a way to navigate pain and begin healing. My paintings of Chalupa are more than images; they are love letters, memory keepers, and reminders that even in loss, beauty can emerge.

If you are experiencing grief, I encourage you to find your own outlet. Whether through journaling, painting, music, or another creative practice, give yourself permission to process your emotions in a way that feels true to you.

Healing takes time, but creativity allows us to carry our memories forward. Through expression, we begin to find light in the darkness.

Sophia Buddenhagen – Houston Artist

Abstract • Surf • Western • Coastal • Positive Vibes

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