Christina Ha, founder of Meow Parlour cat café in New York, has gained profound insights into life and loss through the adoption of two older cats, Haku and Haru. Each cat has significantly impacted her life, teaching her resilience and self-care.
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Haku, a 16-year-old cat, endeared himself to Ha as he displayed an inspiring outlook on life. “He was there by my side, a reminder that half of what makes life beautiful is the way that you look at it,” she recalled. After Haku passed away in May 2023, Ha adopted Haru, a 13-year-old cat, to honor Haku’s memory, providing both cats with loving final days.
Ha adopted Haku after seeing him on YouTube during a period of personal sadness. Despite being in hospice care due to kidney disease, arthritis, and hyperthyroidism, Haku thrived in his new home for 13 months, celebrating his 17th birthday surrounded by love. Ha noted that caring for Haku prompted her to focus on her own health, stating, “All Haku wants is to be well enough to be loved, and in helping him do that, it became time to invest in my own future.”
Haru, reminiscent of Haku with her soft grey fur, also faced health challenges, including kidney disease and hyperthyroidism. As Ha worked tirelessly to improve Haru's condition, she grappled with anticipatory grief—a type of grief experienced before an expected loss. This emotional journey inspired Ha to create a Cat Camp webinar that explores coping with anticipatory grief for pet owners, featuring notable figures like Jackson Galaxy.
Haru passed away peacefully at home on September 25, 2023, with Christina and her husband Simon by her side. Despite the sorrow, Ha regards adopting Haku and Haru as among the best decisions of her life, offering inspiration to others considering providing care for older animals in need.