Hong Kong media personality Kitty Yuen (Ruan Xiaoyi) has captivated social media followers after sharing a profoundly personal image in which she believes her late dog’s likeness appeared. Yuen, known widely as Xiao Yi, posted on her social platforms yesterday (May 13th) detailing a surprising moment during a fitness class where she spotted a distinct reflection in a studio mirror.
The incident occurred while the 2009 Christmas surprise bride was attending a “pole” (presumably a fitness or yoga style class utilizing a pole or stick). While observing her own reflection—specifically her knee—Yuen claims a clear image of a small dog, tongue extended, materialized.
The Unexpected Reflection
The presenter shared a photograph of her knee, which some observers might view as a simple contour or bruise, but which she firmly asserts was the image of her beloved, deceased pet, Dee Dee.
“Today, I finally saw him,” Yuen wrote in an emotional accompanying caption. “During the ‘pole’ class, I looked at my knee in the mirror and a small dog with its tongue sticking out appeared. (Sometimes, I see a baby’s face). This time, it was very clear—a little dog with its tongue out. I definitely think it was Dee Dee.”
Yuen’s relationship with Dee Dee, a cherished companion, was well-documented by the celebrity. Her heartfelt message concluded with an open expression of grief and gratitude: “Ah!!! Dear Dee Dee, Zhezhe [a colloquial term of endearment] misses you, misses you so much. Are you well? Thank you.”
Grief, Perception, and Pareidolia
This tender moment resonates deeply with many who have experienced the loss of a pet. Psychologists note that seeking comforting connections and signs from deceased loved ones—whether human or animal—is a common facet of the grieving process.
The phenomenon reported by Yuen is a specific example of pareidolia, a psychological process where the brain interprets random visual or auditory patterns as meaningful images, such as faces or recognizable shapes. In cases of intense emotional attachment, as with a deeply missed pet, the mind is often more primed to perceive familiar, comforting images in ambiguous stimuli. This cognitive mechanism provides a form of psychological balm as individuals attempt to cope with loss.
While skeptics might attribute the image entirely to the interplay of light, shadow, and skin contour, for Yuen and her fans, the experience offered a profound and intimate final “visit” from her companion.
The viral post underscores the powerful, enduring bond between humans and their pets and how modern celebrities manage their grief publicly. It highlights how these personal accounts can provide comfort and validation to others navigating similar sadness. Yuen’s open sharing of her emotional experience serves as an inadvertent reminder that love, in all its forms, often seeks ways to manifest even after separation.
