"Big Cat, Little Cat" by Elisha Cooper, contributed by Jason Kleehammer (2025)
Having worked at an animal hospital for the past 4 years, I’ve faced, held, witnessed, embraced, and appreciated countless animals during their final moments of life. Each instance ushers in a different emotion. Of course, there’s a sense of peace when holding a decades old cat as it exhales its last breath of a fulfilled life. However, loss can also be met with a sense of chaos, panic, and confusion—like when a healthy dog, only a few years old crashes on the operating table. In light of how these emotions and many more have impacted me and countless owners, I chose to present a children’s book, Big Cat, Little Cat, that has the potential to guide grieving individuals of all ages and reassure those experiencing the often-devastating loss of a beloved animal companion.
This story describes Big Cat, who originally lives alone. One day, Little Cat becomes a member of the household, and Big Cat quickly becomes his reliable, loving mentor. As the story progresses, Little Cat grows up, and Big Cat grows old. Eventually, it is time for Big Cat to “leave,” and he never returns. While Little Cat grapples with this loss, a new kitten arrives. This is a prime opportunity for Little Cat to become the new kitten’s loving mentor and to share the lessons he once learned from Big Cat.
In sharing this story, Big Cat, Little Cat acknowledges the heart-wrenching loss faced by Little Cat and the cats’ human family. In doing so, it legitimizes not only animals’ experience of loss but also humans’ reactions to losing a pet—two types of commonly disenfranchised grief. Beyond serving as a source of reassurance and comfort to grieving individuals, this book can also help us find meaning in inevitable losses. It encourages us to continue sharing, embracing, and appreciating the memories and lessons we’ve learned from not only the people, but also the beloved animals in our lives.
