What Pet Owners Show Us About Courage and the Transcending Power of Love

The relationship we have with our pets is unlike any other.

It is the only kind of bond we enter into knowing, without question, that it will one day end in heartbreak. And still, we choose it. Again and again.

Science has shown that the loss of a pet can be just as devastating as losing a close loved one, including the loss of a child. The difference is that, unlike most human relationships, the loss of a pet is something we almost always expect. We know from the very beginning that we will likely outlive them.

And yet, we still open our hearts.

It is the only kind of bond we enter into knowing, without question, that it will one day end in heartbreak. And still, we choose it. Again and again.

The question is: why? Why do we do it, knowing the grief that will follow?

There are many theories. Among them are these powerful truths:

• We accept loss as part of meaning. The certainty of death doesn’t scare us away. It intensifies the value of the time we have.

• Love makes life richer, even when it comes with pain. As C.S. Lewis and Rollo May remind us, vulnerability is not a weakness. It is what gives love its depth.

• Each bond is deeply personal and irreplaceable. A new pet can never take the place of a lost one. The love we give and receive is always unique, and it leaves a mark on our hearts that cannot be duplicated.

Choosing to love in the face of inevitable loss is an act of profound courage.

Embracing these fleeting bonds is how we honor both the fragility of life and the immensity of love.

In fact, it is the very shortness of their lives that gives these relationships such powerful meaning. By choosing to love a life we know will end, we are not just opening ourselves up to heartbreak. We are affirming that love itself is bigger than loss.

Research into what psychologists call “continuing bonds” shows that many people maintain emotional connections with their pets long after they are gone. Through rituals, stories, keepsakes, and even dreams, we keep them with us. These bonds foster growth, empathy, and a deeper understanding of ourselves. Our pets teach us how to love fully, how to be responsible for another life, and how to find joy in the small things. And those lessons stay with us for a lifetime.

“Choosing to love a finite life is one of the most courageous things a human can do”

At Olive & Fable, we believe that choosing to love a finite life is one of the most courageous things a human can do. And we believe that kind of love deserves to be honored forever.

Our work is about more than photography. It is about turning memory into something tangible, transforming grief into beauty, and preserving connection in a form that can be touched, seen, and remembered.

A Love Worth Preserving

We know our pets' lives are finite. That’s why we treat every portrait as an act of resistance against time.

It’s more than a memory.
It’s a legacy.

And legacy deserves nothing less than art.

The reason we do what we do is simple.
We want to show up for those courageous humans who choose love, knowing full well that loss will one day follow.

They are the ones who remind us that the power of love is greater than the power of pain.

But it’s not just about saying goodbye.
It’s about celebrating what is here now. The tail wags, the muddy paws, the quiet mornings curled up together on the couch.

It’s about celebrating what is here now.

We are here to honor the way your dog lights up when you walk into the room.
The way your cat tucks herself into the crook of your arm just before sleep.
The routines, the quirks, the little details that no one else fully understands but you do, because you’ve lived every moment of this story.

At Olive & Fable, we believe your bond is one of a kind.
Your story deserves to be told the way only you could tell it.

We are here to help you capture that story.
To preserve your love, your joy, and your legacy.
To hold space for the grief, yes, but also for the wild, radiant, everyday beauty of loving a pet with your whole heart.

Book Your Commissioned Pet Portrait

Whether your dog is still young and full of life, or you're walking tenderly through the twilight years of your cat's companionship, there is no wrong time to capture the bond you share.

At Olive & Fable, we specialize in fine art pet photography, dog portraits, cat sessions, and heirloom commissions that honor every stage of the journey.

Based in Kirkland, proudly serving the greater Seattle area, including Bellevue, Redmond, Woodinville, and beyond.
Specializing in luxury dog photography, fine art cat portraits, and custom heirloom keepsakes.

Book your portrait session today.
Because your pet’s story is worth remembering and worth preserving forever.