The holiday weekend that should have brought rest and celebration instead delivered heartbreak for Caitlin Clark, as the WNBA superstar shared the devastating news no athlete — no person — ever wants to face. On November 29, 2025, Clark took to Instagram and posted a message that sent shockwaves through the basketball world: her beloved golden retriever, Bella, had passed away after nearly a decade by her side. The announcement, accompanied by a tender photo of Bella resting in a bed of autumn leaves, instantly transformed a festive weekend into a moment of collective mourning across the league.
“We are gonna miss you puppy💛. Gave us so many good memories 💛,” Clark wrote. A second post — a heartfelt then-and-now collage — revealed a teenage Clark standing with Bella nine years earlier, reminding everyone that this wasn’t just a pet; this was a companion who had walked with her through every step of her rise from Iowa phenom to WNBA star. Bella entered Clark’s life when she was just 14, long before the cameras, the sold-out arenas, and the national headlines. Through high school, college stardom, and the pressure-filled transition to the pros, Bella remained her quiet constant.
Even during the lonely COVID-era games at Iowa, when fans were replaced by cardboard cutouts, Clark made sure Bella was “present” — bringing a cardboard version of her dog to the sidelines. Her family often held up signs with Bella’s face, turning the golden retriever into an unofficial mascot, a true “lucky charm,” and a symbol of home for one of college basketball’s biggest stars.
The moment Clark shared her loss, social media erupted. Fans flooded her mentions with prayers, heartbreak, and personal stories of their own pets. One message read simply, “rest in peace bella 💔💔💔,” while another posted a more emotional tribute: “Losing a pup is losing a family member full stop… May Bella rest easy and forever frolick with my pup Finn… Until we meet them again.”
The grief hit harder because of what Bella represented — loyalty, stability, and love during a year when Clark has been battling more than just defenders. Her 2025 WNBA season was cut short after only 13 games, derailed by a string of injuries: left quad tightness, a quad sprain that sidelined her for five games, groin issues, and finally a bone bruise that ended her season in September. Through all of it, Bella’s presence was a quiet source of comfort.
Earlier this year, Clark honored her four-legged companion in one of the most personal tributes an athlete can make: her shoes. In a dominant performance against the New York Liberty — 32 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds — she wore a custom Nike Kobe 6 Protro design she named “The Bellas.” The golden-inspired sneakers featured Bella’s face on the insole. After that game, Clark revealed, “My dog is really important to me… The shoe is basically all golden, and the tongue is pink for a Golden Retriever… And the sockliner had a picture of my dog.”
Now, the loss feels even heavier as Clark prepares for a milestone she has dreamed about for years — her first-ever invite to the USA Basketball senior national team training camp from December 12th to 14th at Duke University. What should have been a triumphant moment will instead be her first major basketball event without Bella cheering her on in spirit.
Still, Caitlin Clark will not walk through this grief alone. Fans, teammates, and the entire WNBA community have wrapped around her like a protective shield. One supporter summed up the collective feeling perfectly: “Losing a small fur buddy is so hard. Peace & love to the smalls.”
In a year of highs, lows, injuries, and historic expectations, this may be her hardest moment yet — but with Bella’s memory beside her and an entire league behind her, Clark is reminded that even in loss, she is not alone.
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