A gentle companion for preserving the ordinary things families may miss most.

A familiar ritual — dog — v2 — approved for pilot

Film one small ritual the two of you still have — the greeting, the wait by the door, the way mealtimes go.

A ritual is easy to leave unrecorded precisely because it happens every day. It’s also the part of the day built around her.

Set the phone down somewhere it can see the whole thing and leave it running. You won’t have a free hand.

Film one that still happens easily. Don’t restart a routine Bo has stopped doing, and don’t set one up for the camera. If nothing is routine any more, skip this.

Editorial note: Must not suggest staging a ritual the animal can no longer manage — e.g. fetching a leash to film a reaction.

A familiar ritual — cat — v3 — approved for pilot

Film one small ritual the two of you still have — the ask for food, the window, the arrival on the bed at night.

A ritual is easy to leave unrecorded precisely because it happens every day. It’s also the part of the day built around him.

Prop the phone where the ritual takes place and let it run. If the phone changes what your cat does, prop it farther away.

Film one that still happens easily. Don’t restart a routine Juniper has stopped doing, and don’t set one up for the camera. If nothing is routine any more, skip this.

Editorial note: Must not suggest staging a ritual the animal can no longer manage — e.g. fetching a leash to film a reaction.

Keepsakes and questions for your provider — dog — v3 — approved for pilot

Ask your provider what keepsakes and aftercare options they include.

Paw or nose impressions, a clipping of fur, how ashes are returned, whether extra copies of anything are possible. What’s on offer differs from provider to provider, and only yours can tell you — so the question is worth asking while you have the room to think about the answer.

Write the answers down here, in one place — including anything you decide against. Having it written somewhere means not having to hold it in your head.

You’re allowed to want none of these. Wanting a paw print doesn’t make you sentimental and declining one doesn’t make you cold. Asking the question doesn’t commit you to anything.

Editorial note: Organizational preparation only. States nothing about what any provider offers, includes, or can do at a given moment — it asks the owner to put that question to their provider. No procedural guidance, and no implication that any option is standard, expected, or advisable.

Keepsakes and questions for your provider — cat — v3 — approved for pilot

Ask your provider what keepsakes and aftercare options they include.

Paw or nose impressions, a clipping of fur, how ashes are returned, whether extra copies of anything are possible. What’s on offer differs from provider to provider, and only yours can tell you — so the question is worth asking while you have the room to think about the answer.

Write the answers down here, in one place — including anything you decide against. Having it written somewhere means not having to hold it in your head.

You’re allowed to want none of these. Wanting a paw print doesn’t make you sentimental and declining one doesn’t make you cold. Asking the question doesn’t commit you to anything.

Editorial note: Organizational preparation only. States nothing about what any provider offers, includes, or can do at a given moment — it asks the owner to put that question to their provider. No procedural guidance, and no implication that any option is standard, expected, or advisable.

One thing still enjoyed — dog — v3 — approved for pilot

If there’s something Bo still enjoys and her vet has already approved, film thirty seconds of her having it.

Enjoyment is expressive in a way that rest is not — the whole face changes. If some version of it’s still available, it’s worth thirty seconds.

Start recording before the familiar moment begins.

We’re not suggesting what this should be, and nothing here is a recommendation about food, walks, or activity. Follow Bo’s veterinary team, not this note. If nothing fits today, skip it.

Editorial note: Clinically sensitive. Must not recommend any food, outing, or exertion, and must defer entirely to the veterinary team’s instructions.

One thing still enjoyed — cat — v3 — approved for pilot

If there’s something Juniper still enjoys and his vet has already approved, film thirty seconds of him having it.

Enjoyment is expressive in a way that rest is not — the ears, the paws, the whole shape of him changes. If some version of it’s still available, it’s worth thirty seconds.

Start recording before the familiar moment begins.

We’re not suggesting what this should be, and nothing here is a recommendation about food or activity. Follow Juniper’s veterinary team, not this note. If nothing fits today, skip it.

Editorial note: Clinically sensitive. Must not recommend any food, outing, or exertion, and must defer entirely to the veterinary team’s instructions.

The ordinary day — dog — v2 — approved for pilot

Over the course of today, take three or four five-second clips of nothing in particular.

This is the shape of an ordinary Tuesday with her in it — the noise in the hall, the resettling, where the light was. A few short clips hold that in a way one photograph of one moment cannot.

Five seconds each, whenever you happen to look up. You’re not making a film.

Don’t plan a special day for this. Don’t take Bo anywhere. If today turns out to be a hard day, one clip is a complete answer, and none is fine too.

Editorial note: Must explicitly reject the bucket-list framing: this is the ordinary day, not a special one.

The ordinary day — cat — v2 — approved for pilot

Over the course of today, take three or four five-second clips of nothing in particular.

This is the shape of an ordinary Tuesday with him in it — where he was at eleven, the sound of the bowl, the light moving across the floor. A few short clips hold that in a way one photograph of one moment cannot.

Five seconds each, whenever you happen to look up. You’re not making a film.

Don’t plan a special day for this. If today turns out to be a hard day, one clip is a complete answer, and none is fine too.

Editorial note: Must explicitly reject the bucket-list framing: this is the ordinary day, not a special one.

Ordinary movement — dog — v2 — approved for pilot

Film ten seconds of the way Bo comes toward you.

Movement and sound cannot be reconstructed from still photographs. The particular rhythm of her walk, the way her whole body answers when she sees you — a picture holds the shape of her and none of the motion.

Hold the phone still and low, at about her height, and start filming before anything happens. Ten unremarkable seconds is enough.

Don’t call Bo over or pose her. Film whatever happens on her own. If coming toward you is hard now, skip this — being beside her matters more.

Editorial note: Highest perishability. Must never read as an instruction to make the animal move.

Ordinary movement — cat — v2 — approved for pilot

Film ten seconds of Juniper moving through an ordinary room.

Movement and sound cannot be reconstructed from still photographs — the pause in a doorway, the particular way he settles, the tail deciding something. This is something you can preserve while it’s happening naturally.

Stay where you’re and start filming early. Cats notice a phone pointed at them; a wider, further-back shot usually keeps the moment ordinary.

Don’t coax Juniper or move him for the shot. Film what he is already doing. If moving is hard now, skip this — being beside him matters more.

Editorial note: Highest perishability. Must never read as an instruction to make the animal move.

Ordinary sound — dog — v2 — approved for pilot

Record thirty seconds of whatever sound Bo is already making.

A photograph cannot preserve sound. The sigh on the way down to the floor, the tags, the nails on the boards, the snoring — a recording is the only thing that keeps any of it.

A voice memo works better than video for this. Put the phone near her, stay still, and let it run — you can trim it later, or never.

Don’t try to get Bo to bark or make any particular sound. Record what is there, even if it’s only breathing. Skip this if the room needs to stay quiet.

Editorial note: Must not prompt the owner to provoke a bark, meow, or any vocalisation.

Ordinary sound — cat — v3 — approved for pilot

Record thirty seconds of whatever sound Juniper is already making.

A photograph cannot preserve the sound of a purr, the particular chirp he uses for you, or paws landing on a floor. A recording is the only thing that keeps any of it.

Try a voice memo close enough to catch the sound without disturbing him. Let it run longer than feels necessary.

Don’t try to get a purr or a meow out of Juniper. Record what is there, even if it’s only breathing. Skip this if the room needs to stay quiet.

Editorial note: Must not prompt the owner to provoke a bark, meow, or any vocalisation.

Physical details — dog — v3 — approved for pilot

Photograph two or three small physical details of Bo while she rests.

The pads of a paw, the gray coming in around the muzzle, one ear that sits differently, the shape of her asleep. A whole-body photograph doesn’t hold detail at this scale, and these details are specific to her.

Put your hand in one of the frames. Scale is the thing you won’t be able to reconstruct from memory.

Don’t lift, turn, or wake Bo for a better angle. Photograph what is in front of you, from where you’re. Skip anything that would disturb her.

Editorial note: Explicit boundary required: never move or reposition an uncomfortable animal for a photograph.

Physical details — cat — v3 — approved for pilot

Photograph two or three small physical details of Juniper while he rests.

Whiskers, the pattern where the fur changes direction, one paw folded under, the exact color at the tip of the tail. A whole-body photograph doesn’t hold detail at this scale, and these details are specific to him.

Put your hand in one of the frames. Scale is the thing you won’t be able to reconstruct from memory.

Don’t lift, turn, or wake Juniper for a better angle. Photograph what is in front of you, from where you’re. Skip anything that would disturb him.

Editorial note: Explicit boundary required: never move or reposition an uncomfortable animal for a photograph.

Their response to you — dog — v2 — approved for pilot

Film the moment Bo registers you — once. Say her name the way you always say it, and stop after that.

The recognition is the relationship: the ears, the shift of weight, the particular thing her face does for you and not for other people. It lasts about a second, which is why there’s usually no recording of it.

Start filming first, then say the name. The half second before is usually the part worth keeping.

Once. If Bo is tired or doesn’t respond, that’s the answer and the note is finished — don’t call again. Skip this entirely if she needs to rest.

Editorial note: Hard boundary: one attempt only. Must not lead to repeated calling or rousing of a tired animal.

Their response to you — cat — v2 — approved for pilot

Film the moment Juniper registers you — once. Say his name the way you always say it, or just sit down nearby, and stop after that.

The slow blink, the head that turns a fraction, the lean. It’s the part of him aimed at you specifically, and it lasts about a second.

Start filming first, then speak. The half second before is usually the part worth keeping.

Once. If Juniper doesn’t respond, that’s the answer and the note is finished — don’t call again. Skip this entirely if he needs to rest.

Editorial note: Hard boundary: one attempt only. Must not lead to repeated calling or rousing of a tired animal.

The people and animals who belong to their life — dog — v2 — approved for pilot

Ask one person who loves Bo to send you a photograph or a few sentences about her.

Other people saw parts of her you didn’t — at the door, on a walk, in someone else’s kitchen. Those photographs are on other phones and not on yours, and asking is the only thing that brings them together.

You can invite someone to add directly to your archive instead of texting you back, so nothing gets lost in a thread.

This is a message, not a visit. Don’t arrange anyone coming over on Bo’s account. If you don’t want to talk to anyone right now, skip it — you can ask months from now and it will still work.

Editorial note: Must never encourage arranging a visit that would stress the animal or the household.

The people and animals who belong to their life — cat — v2 — approved for pilot

Ask one person who knows Juniper to send you a photograph or a few sentences about him.

Other people saw parts of him you didn’t — the ones he tolerated, the ones he hid from, whoever was allowed to sit down. Those photographs are on other phones and not on yours, and asking is the only thing that brings them together.

You can invite someone to add directly to your archive instead of texting you back, so nothing gets lost in a thread.

This is a message, not a visit. Don’t arrange anyone coming over on Juniper’s account. If you don’t want to talk to anyone right now, skip it — you can ask months from now and it will still work.

Editorial note: Must never encourage arranging a visit that would stress the animal or the household.

Their place in the home — dog — v2 — approved for pilot

Photograph the place in your home that’s Bo’s, with or without her in it.

The worn patch on the rug, the corner of the sofa, the spot by the door. These get repaired, replaced or tidied away. A photograph taken now is the room as she arranged it; one taken later is not.

Take it from where you usually stand when you look at her. The height and angle are part of the memory.

This one asks nothing of Bo at all. Take it while she sleeps, or from the doorway, or not at all.

Editorial note: The safe universal opener: possible regardless of the animal’s condition, requires nothing of them.

Their place in the home — cat — v2 — approved for pilot

Photograph the place in your home that’s Juniper’s, with or without him in it.

The exact patch of sun, the shelf, the box, the dent in the blanket. These get washed, moved or thrown out. A photograph taken now is the room as he arranged it; one taken later is not.

If the spot moves with the sun, take it at the hour he usually chooses.

This one asks nothing of Juniper at all. Take it while he sleeps, or from the doorway, or not at all.

Editorial note: The safe universal opener: possible regardless of the animal’s condition, requires nothing of them.

The two of you together — dog — v3 — approved for pilot

Get one picture with Bo in it and you in it — not posed, not tidy.

You may have fewer photographs containing both of you than photographs of her alone. A picture with both of you in it’s a different record.

A phone propped against a book with a ten-second timer, aimed at where you already sit together, works better than asking anyone to hold still.

You don’t have to look rested, or dressed, or happy. Ask someone else to take it, or use a timer, or hold the phone out. If you would rather not be photographed at all, skip this.

Editorial note: Must not ask the owner to look happy or to arrange a portrait.

The two of you together — cat — v3 — approved for pilot

Get one picture with Juniper in it and you in it — not posed, not tidy.

You may have fewer photographs containing both of you than photographs of him alone. A picture with both of you in it’s a different record.

If Juniper is on you, a timer on a propped phone will get it without either of you moving.

You don’t have to look rested, or dressed, or happy. Ask someone else to take it, or use a timer. If you would rather not be photographed at all, skip this.

Editorial note: Must not ask the owner to look happy or to arrange a portrait.

What makes them unmistakably themselves — dog — v3 — approved for pilot

In a voice note or a few lines, describe the thing Bo does that no one else’s dog does.

Not the good behavior — the specific one. The contradiction, the opinion, the ridiculous preference. It’s the part that makes her her, and the easiest kind of detail to leave unrecorded, because right now it’s obvious.

A voice note can also preserve the sound of your own voice.

One detail is plenty. There’s no need to summarize her whole character, and you can add to this whenever you think of something else.

Editorial note: Safe to offer at any stage, including well after death.

What makes them unmistakably themselves — cat — v3 — approved for pilot

In a voice note or a few lines, describe the thing Juniper does that no one else’s cat does.

Not the charming version — the specific one. The rule he enforces, the object he has opinions about, the one person he tolerates. It’s the part that makes him him, and the easiest kind of detail to leave unrecorded, because right now it’s obvious.

A voice note can also preserve the sound of your own voice.

One detail is plenty. There’s no need to summarize his whole character, and you can add to this whenever you think of something else.

Editorial note: Safe to offer at any stage, including well after death.

What they changed — dog — v3 — approved for pilot

Write or record a few sentences about what is different in your life because Bo was in it.

Where you live, who you know, what your days look like now. This is the part that turns an archive into an account of a life, and it’s the one thing here that doesn’t get harder to do later.

Small and concrete beats summing up. One route you know because of her is enough.

This one doesn’t expire. If the answer today is that everything is worse and you cannot think about it, that’s a real answer — close this and come back in a year if you want to.

Editorial note: Doesn’t expire; explicitly offered later when time is short. Must not ask the owner to find meaning in the loss.

What they changed — cat — v2 — approved for pilot

Write or record a few sentences about what is different in your life because Juniper was in it.

The shape of your evenings, which chair is yours, who you became to him. This is the part that turns an archive into an account of a life, and it’s the one thing here that doesn’t get harder to do later.

Small and concrete beats summing up. One habit you still have because of him is enough.

This one doesn’t expire. If the answer today is that everything is worse and you cannot think about it, that’s a real answer — close this and come back in a year if you want to.

Editorial note: Doesn’t expire; explicitly offered later when time is short. Must not ask the owner to find meaning in the loss.

Words while there’s time — dog — v3 — approved for pilot

Say the thing you want Bo to have heard from you. There’s nothing to record and nothing to upload.

Saying it out loud while she is here is the whole point; keeping a recording of it’s optional and mostly beside the point. If a goodbye is scheduled, consider saying anything important before the appointment begins.

If speaking feels easier than writing, try a voice memo. It doesn’t need to be composed.

You don’t have to record this, write it down, or tell us anything about it. Mark it done and nothing will be stored. If you would rather not, skip it — there’s no version of this you’re supposed to get right.

Editorial note: Highest emotional intensity, and the module most likely to imply a deadline. Says nothing about what happens at an appointment or how long any part of it takes — it offers one neutral piece of sequencing, that anything important can be said before an appointment begins. Must not imply a last chance.

Words while there’s time — cat — v3 — approved for pilot

Say the thing you want Juniper to have heard from you. There’s nothing to record and nothing to upload.

Saying it out loud while he is here is the whole point; keeping a recording of it’s optional and mostly beside the point. If a goodbye is scheduled, consider saying anything important before the appointment begins.

If speaking feels easier than writing, try a voice memo. It doesn’t need to be composed.

You don’t have to record this, write it down, or tell us anything about it. Mark it done and nothing will be stored. If you would rather not, skip it — there’s no version of this you’re supposed to get right.

Editorial note: Highest emotional intensity, and the module most likely to imply a deadline. Says nothing about what happens at an appointment or how long any part of it takes — it offers one neutral piece of sequencing, that anything important can be said before an appointment begins. Must not imply a last chance.