Sweet Badu

There are some goodbyes that never feel fair.

Today we had to say goodbye to our sweet Badu, and I’m not sure my heart has fully accepted that she’s gone.

The first time I met Badu, I knew something immediately. I knew she was the one girl Wes would probably always love just a little more than me. And honestly? I couldn’t blame him.

I’ve met a lot of dogs over the years, but never one with the quiet strength, gentle soul, and beautiful heart that Badu had. She wasn’t just a pit bull. She was kindness wrapped in muscles. She loved deeply, protected fiercely, and somehow managed to make everyone around her feel safe.

It took us a little while to warm up to each other. She wasn’t sure about me, and if I’m being honest, I wasn’t sure about her either. But once she realized I wasn’t going anywhere, something changed. She completely melted into my arms and into my heart.

I only got four years with her.

Four years feels so incredibly short now.

But what beautiful years they were.

We traveled together. We shared a bed. We shared countless snacks, whether we meant to or not. She sat beside me during my nightly bubble baths like it was her official job to supervise my relaxation.

It’s funny the little things grief makes you miss.

I’ll miss hearing the trash can tip over in the middle of the night because someone decided there might be one more forgotten snack inside. I’ll miss never being able to leave food on the table without knowing she’d somehow find it.

I’ll miss the loud, obnoxious snoring that used to make me crazy. I’ll miss finding dog hair on every piece of clothing I own. I’ll miss her smelly breath in my face. The wet kisses. The full body hugs. All the little things that once felt ordinary suddenly became the things I’ll miss the most.

I never thought I could love another dog the way I loved my sweet Bama. But Badu came so incredibly close.

She and I had this unspoken understanding. We loved the same man with our whole hearts, and we would both do anything to protect him. We never had to say it out loud. We just knew. That’s something I’ll always treasure.

My heart is shattered today.

The house feels quieter.

A piece of our family is missing.

But I find comfort believing she’s not alone.

I like to imagine she’s with my sweet Bama now. Running through endless woods, chasing squirrels, racing deer, free from pain, with tails wagging and hearts full.

Until we meet again, my sweet Baby Boo.

Thank you for every cuddle, every laugh, every slobbery kiss, every adventure, and every lesson in unconditional love.

You will always be part of our family.

You will always be part of me.

Run free, sweet girl.

We’ll love you forever.