October 27th is the special night dedicated to honoring beloved pets who have passed on.
It is widely believed that on this date, their spirits return to the homes where they were once loved so deeply. Furthermore, this is observed every October 27, just ahead of the main human All Saints Day celebrations on November 1 and 2. Although its roots trace back to traditional Mexican culture—where the Xoloitzcuintli dog was historically believed to guide souls across the river to the afterlife. In addition, this beautiful culture was widely introduced to many of us through the movie Coco.
Paw friends that became a family addition
Initially, many families keep dogs, cats, birds, or other pets simply to guard their homes. However, we eventually grow deeply attached to our furbabies and proudly consider them true family members. As a result, we end up celebrating milestones and family holidays right alongside them.
They are much more than just furbabies.
They witness and share in our everyday lives within our comforting homes. Take the late Logbi, who was Rhenz Ablaza’s beloved family dog. Logbi recently passed away this July after witnessing half of his owner’s important life chapters. As a cheerful, stubborn, and sweet Shih Tzu, Logbi stayed by Rhenz’s side from the day he graduated elementary school all the way through his final year of high school. During that exact time, Rhenz’s sister also graduated college and moved out of the house.
Consequently, it felt quite bittersweet for Rhenz to handle multiple major goodbyes all at once, especially since Logbi was only six years old.
Grieving for our beloved pets
When it comes to Nica’s doggo Khaleesi, affectionately called Leesi, the doggo’s absolute favorite things were eating and making kulit to her kuya klio, their older dog. When Nica feels emotionally sensitive and starts reminiscing about their dog’s passing, they actively counters those mellow thoughts by saying:
Pinipilit at pinipili kong mas alalahanin ‘yung mga cute moments and kakulitan niyaaa, ‘yung masasaya na lang kumbaga na parang andito pa rin siya.”
Similarly, when pets pass away unexpectedly, owners often feel a strong urge to keep calling out their names. For example, Arabella wasn’t home when her dog passed, which naturally triggered waves of guilt for not being present. Grief often affects us that way. Despite this, Ara would still endearingly call out her dog’s name as if he were right beside her, trusting that her care would safely guide him across the rainbow bridge.
Likewise, Cloudette faced a wave of sudden grief just last weekend when her dog passed away. Having eagerly looked forward to a long weekend with three rest days to spend with her family and dogs, her journey home turned heartbreaking as she cried throughout the entire bus ride. Since she couldn’t make it back in time, she only caught a final glimpse of her dog through a video call from her sister. Surrounded completely by strangers on the bus, she quietly spoke to Amber in her mind, reassuring her that it was okay to let go and stop waiting. By the time she finally arrived home, her beloved dog was already gone. She later reflected:
It was really hard for me to process because every weekend na umuuwi ako, parang ako palagi ‘yung may pasalubong—their happy faces, their wagging tails, Amber’s shark attacks.”
After sharing one final hug with Amber, Cloudette added:
That night was really painful, but somehow, alongside the pain, there was still a spark of joy and gratitude in my heart because I got to have her, and through her own little ways, she saved me and helped me keep going.”
The litol reminders — they’re just here
When coping with grief, we often need to give ourselves a gentle reminder that our pets are always with us. Surprisingly, they sometimes really are!
Even pet owners who do not consider themselves particularly spiritual often recognize these signs. Nica, for instance, tends to see their late dog in almost every stray they encounter. Nica shares:
Kapag nakakakita ako ng stray dogs or cats sa labas na gusto kong i-pet, nagp-pray ako and kinakausap ko si leesi na please kausapin niya ‘yung dog or ‘yung cat na ‘wag matakot sa’kin at ‘wag tumakbo or ‘wag akong kakagatin or kalmutin.
Effective siya, naf-feel ko na naririnig niya ako kasi nagpapahawak sa’kin ‘yung dog, nung tinry ko ‘yun ng unang beses, gumana kasi siya kaya simula noon I do it all the time na.”
Ultimately, they often leave little signs behind to let us know they are still watching over us. Whether it is a sudden warmth, a familiar sound echoing in a quiet room, or simply a comforting feeling out of nowhere, whenever you feel their presence, trust that it is completely real. After all, a love like theirs never truly leaves us. Tonight, let us light a small candle in front of our beloved furbabies’ altar and keep an open door.
What signs have your pets sent you? Remember and honor them today.
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