Firefighter says goodbye to rescue dog in viral post. Dog owners relate: Pets are family
Bella passed away peacefully in her owner's arms after battling cancer.
Dog lovers might already be crying. But former St. Louis Fire Capt. Gregg Favre's tribute to the dog he rescued on the job gets even more emotional, and he took the internet along for the ride.
Other dogs, "all loved and special in their own ways," have come and gone, too, he wrote in a Twitter thread that has gone viral. But they weren't Bella.
She was his fur baby. And while her passing doesn't have a happy ending, it did have an important message.
It also has the whole internet seemingly sharing in the grief. Favre posted the thread on Friday and it's since been liked more than 48,000 times and retweeted more than 6.2 thousand times.
11 yrs ago I rescued puppy while on duty at an #StL firehouse.
Over the next decade+, we would be inseparable. On adventures, on walks around the neighborhood, or sitting by the fire at home.
She passed away in my arms last night, peacefully, after a resolute fight w/ cancer. pic.twitter.com/R54O9AGP8p— Gregg Favre (@GreggFavre) May 10, 2019
His dog from the start
Favre rescued Bella 11 years ago while serving on the St. Louis Fire Department and they had been "inseparable" ever since. She was his dog, more than his wife's, from the start.
"We could communicate with glances and head nods," he wrote. "My wife would joke it felt like we were ganging up on her."
Over the yr we’ve taken 1000s of walks together – from state parks to national monuments, cathedrals to universities.
As life came crashing against our door –grad school, promotions, loss, injury & sickness– our routine stayed the same.
She was always grounding.
Always loyal. pic.twitter.com/FhnwcBgqcd— Gregg Favre (@GreggFavre) May 10, 2019
Bella was for him what all dog are to their owners. Always faithful. Always up for a walk. Always able to bring their owners back to center when life beats them sideways.
"As life came crashing against our door -grad school, promotions, loss, injury & sickness- our routine stayed the same," he wrote. She was always grounding. Always loyal."
Favre continued his celebration of the relationship he shared with Bella by saying he could spend weeks posting pictures and "telling stories of how funny, brave & tender she was." But he wanted to make a point that everyone could relate to, whether they had a Bella in their life or not.
"My point to all of this is that love & loss go hand in hand. Bella & I made the most of our time & and I hope that in your life, you are cultivating your own brand of joy."
Dog owners get it
Pet owners chimed in on Twitter to tell Favre they understood his love for Bella and his loss.
"So very sorry you had to bid farewell to your girl Bella. It's a pain almost too unbearable," wrote one user. "But those wonderful memories will pull you through."
"You were both lucky to have had such a great love story and adventure together," another wrote.
Dozens of people shared pictures of their own dogs (and cats, too) who have since died.
People told Favre he would never forget Bella but it would get easier.
"I lost mine a year ago next week," said one dog lover. "I think about her everyday. Your sadness will eventually be replaced with funny memories and good times with her."
Very sorry for your loss. I lost mine a year ago next week, I think about her everyday. Your sadness will eventually be replaced with funny memories and good times with her. Dogs are the best and sounds like Bella was part of a great family.
— Craig Coburn (@CraigCoburn) May 10, 2019
Favre closed out his Twitter thread by sharing that he donated Bella's unused cancer medications to Stray Rescue in St. Louis, for "other families who might not be able to afford the prescription."
Finally, if youve come this far in this thread, please watch this short clip.
Since her diagnosis 4 months ago, I’ve said this poem to Bella on every walk we’ve taken.
As I held her last night, before she slipped away, I told her once more, “heart to chest.”
Goodbye my friend. pic.twitter.com/sWuH4cZtYo— Gregg Favre (@GreggFavre) May 10, 2019
RIP, Bella.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Firefighter says goodbye to rescue dog in viral post. Dog owners relate: Pets are family