Pet Loss Grief: A Love Letter to Our Furry Baby, Bagheera

When I wrote the blog post about bringing you home, I never imagined I would one day be writing this post.

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On April 10th, 2026, we lost our beloved Bagheera, our first baby, our everything!

He had been unwell on and off for a couple of months, but in the last couple of weeks, it became alarming. He lost a lot of weight, was shedding heavily, and began refusing food, something he had never done before. After several tests and an ER visit, we learned that he had cancer that had spread across multiple organs. The doctors recommended euthanasia to end his suffering, as it was beyond treatment. So we took on the pain of losing him and set him free.

I just can’t wrap my head around how everything fell apart in such a short time. The vets always praised him as perfecly healthy and vibrant dog. And then, in the span of just a few minutes in that ER, everything changed.

We are trying to find comfort in knowing that he lived a wonderful, full life with us and he is not suffering anymore🤍

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To my Bangaru Bagheera,

It feels like someone is clenching my gut every time I take your name or think about you not being in our lives anymore. I can’t fully comprehend this loss. I want you back with us.

The house feels empty without you. Every room I walk into, I see your little spot where you used to lie, and I find myself going there to smell you and feel close to you again…

I miss your bark when someone rings the doorbell.

I miss the sound of your paws rushing to the door every time I open it.

I miss your exciting face welcoming us when we come back home.

I miss you tagging around us for food during mealtime.

I miss you by our side at night, in the office room during mornings, in the family room in the evenings.

I miss those sweet puppy eyes waiting patiently for leftovers.

I miss you coming to me asking to pet you.

I see your empty bed, and my heart just sinks.

I stare at the lawn and still imagine you lying there, like you always did.

I wake up with a sinking feeling, knowing I can’t see your beautiful face again.

How do we move on without you in our lives? How do I ever take your name without my eyes filling up with tears?

I have thought about this day before, but I was never ready for it. I never imagined it would feel this painful. And I certainly never thought it would come so soon.

But somehow, you knew. In the weeks before you left us, you started keeping your distance. You weren’t rushing to the door to welcome us like you used to. Instead, you would quietly slip away and hide in places we wouldn’t look for you normally.

It feels like you were preparing us for life without you. Even in your pain, you were still thinking of us, carrying it silently so we wouldn’t fully see or understand how much you were suffering.

How can love be so selfless?

You left me with a lesson I will carry forever, the true meaning of love!

You are not just a pet, you are a family member. My first baby, the one I first showered with all my love and those sweet, silly names- “Bujji”, “Bangaru Konda”, “Bangaram”.

You are the one who showed me the kind of mother I am, and helped me see Rajesh as a father before kids. You are the one who made us feel like more than just a couple-you made us feel like a family.

Vihaan and Vennela came after you, but you’re the one who first filled our home with that kind of love.

You were the silent comfort on our lowest days.

We rushed to get a bigger car so we could take you everywhere with us.

We moved from a one-bedroom apartment to a two-bedroom apartment to have a little more space. And soon after, we bought a house with a big backyard, so you have a lot of space to run around and play. You are the motivation behind every upgrade in our lives.

For the first four years, we never flew anywhere; we chose to drive so you could always come along with us.

You weren’t just loved by us; you became a part of our parents’ lives, our extended family, and even many of our friends’ hearts.

While you looked fierce on the outside, you were the softest, sweetest little soul on the inside, my gentle giant!

You had a charm that attracted strangers everywhere we went. There was never a time we stepped out when you weren’t noticed, petted, and loved by many people we didn’t even know.

In the last few days, the amount of love we’ve received from everyone has shown just how deeply you were loved. You brought so much joy to every child who visited our home; some only come to our house to see and pet you.

You are truly one of a kind, the best dog we could’ve asked for as a first pet. We feel so blessed to call you ours …forever!

Now rest in peace, my love. I will love and miss you till my last day!

When we told Vihaan you had passed away and is with God, he asked, “So Bagheera is alive in a different world?” I hold on to those words tightly and believe that you’re still out there somewhere, watching down on us ❤️

I watch your pictures and videos every day. They always leave me in tears, but somehow, they also bring me comfort- like, for a moment, you’re still right here with me.

Cherished Memories of Bagheera

The Paw Prints You Left on Our Hearts

Our first pet, our first baby, our parents’ first furry grandson!