Yesterday, my sweet Bouncer went to Heaven. Bouncer never left my side. And I didn’t leave his side either.
Even writing those words feels unreal. The house is quieter now. The spaces he filled so naturally feel different. And yet, as heartbreaking as this loss is, my heart is also full of gratitude for the gift of his life.
Bouncer was not just a dog. He was family. He was companionship, protection, comfort, loyalty, and joy wrapped into one strong, loving, sometimes over-the-top pitbull body.
He had a huge personality, a fierce devotion to the people and animals he loved, and a way of making his presence known in every room, every moment, and every season of life.
I got Bouncer when he was just two months old. That was way too young to be taken from his mom, and his owner had just had a baby and could not handle him.
He was tiny, sweet, energetic, and bouncing all over the place.
In fact, that is exactly how he got his name. He was bouncing so much that it seemed to fit him perfectly. But in the middle of all that puppy energy, he jumped right into my arms as if he already knew I was his person.
And in so many ways, I was.
Bouncer was full of life from the very beginning. He loved big. He protected big. He lived big.
He was the kind of dog who did not do anything halfway. If he loved you, he loved you fiercely. If he wanted to protect you, he would protect you with his whole heart.
If he wanted to cuddle, he leaned in with everything he had. If he wanted to sit on your lap, he did not seem to care one bit that he was no longer puppy-sized.
He just wanted to be close. That was one of the things I loved most about him.
Bouncer never wanted to leave my side. Whether I was resting, working, writing, crying, sitting outside in the sun, or simply moving from one room to another, he was there.
He sat by me while I worked. He stayed close while I wrote blog posts, articles, and courses. He was there through the normal days and the hard days, through the creative days and the weary ones.
Bouncer: Steady. Faithful. Present.
So many words were written with Bouncer right beside me.
There is something so beautiful about a dog who makes himself part of your everyday life in such a quiet but powerful way. He was not just in the big moments. He was in the ordinary ones, too.
He was beside me while I typed, planned, thought, prayed, and built. He kept me company through work, writing, and long hours at home. He made the lonely moments less lonely and the hard moments a little easier.
And when I was sick during one of the hardest seasons of my life, Bouncer showed me another side of his love that I will never forget.
He would get under me on the floor and help me up. He wasn’t taught this. He just did it.
That was his heart. Protective. Watchful. Loving. He did not need to be trained to care. He simply cared. He saw that I was struggling, and in his own beautiful dog way, he stepped in to help.
I do not think I will ever be able to fully explain what that meant to me. There are some acts of love that go so deep they stay written on your heart forever.
Bouncer was also protective of the other animals here.
He watched over our cats, other dogs, chickens, and ducks as if they belonged to him. He was so gentle with baby chicks and ducklings. He kept an eye on things. He noticed everything.
He carried himself like a guardian, like it was his responsibility to watch out for his people and his critters.
And yet, for all his strength and boldness, he had such sweet and funny little quirks, too.
He begged for showers.
Yes, showers.
That still makes me smile through the tears. Bouncer loved them so much and would act as if he should absolutely be included.
He also loved lying in the sun with me.
Those peaceful moments of warmth and stillness are among the memories I treasure most. Just me and my sweet boy, enjoying the sunshine together.
He would kiss the tears from my face. He would lean into me with the best bear hugs. He would sit on my lap like a puppy, even when his size clearly said otherwise. He helped me dig holes for my garden and stayed near me like he had appointed himself as both supervisor and helper.
He was affectionate in a way that was almost human…actually he was so much kinder than some humans I know. He noticed feelings. He responded to them. He stayed close when it mattered most.
He was full of love, loyalty, and life.
In Bouncer’s last week, it became my turn to watch out for him.
I cared for him constantly. I stayed near him. I made sure he was comforted, helped, and loved.
My son Joshua lovingly carried him down and back up the stairs so he could go potty. Bouncer was surrounded by care all the way to the end. He was not alone for one second.
And when the time came yesterday, I was on the floor with him, holding him, looking into his eyes, and telling him what a good boy he is.
Because he was.
He truly was.
I did not cry around him until after he was gone. I wanted his last moments to be filled with love, safety, and peace. I wanted him to know only comfort. I wanted him to feel what he had always given so freely to me.
And by the grace of God, I believe he did.
There was a moment deep in my spirit when I felt Jesus whisper something so personal and tender to my heart:
“Your sweet boy is here and so happy. He’s a little over the top, but I’m talking to him about it. He’s so looking forward to seeing you again.”
That brought me such comfort because it sounded so much like Bouncer. A little over the top. Full of heart. Full of devotion. Full of personality. Full of life.
That was him.
I will miss him more than words can say. I will miss his nearness, his loyalty, his cuddles, his protection, his sweet face, and the way he was always by my side. I will miss seeing him next to me while I work. I will miss glancing over and finding him there like always, my faithful little shadow in a big, strong body.
But more than anything, I am thankful.
Thankful that God gave me Bouncer. Thankful for every year, every memory, every hug, every smile, every funny shower moment, every sun-filled afternoon, every quiet workday with him nearby, and every expression of his deep and unwavering love.
Some dogs leave paw prints on your floor.
Bouncer left paw prints on my heart, my home, my healing, my writing, and my life.
He was so deeply loved.
And he always will be.
Run happy, sweet boy.
You were one of a kind.
And I believe with all my heart that I will see you again.
I’ve added a few pictures of Bouncer below in the comments.
If you would like to hear about Faith Encounters I’m adding them here.
You can also find many more images of Bouncer on my Facebook Profile here
