When Nicole lost her beloved soul dog, Trixie, her heart was shattered.
Trixie, a senior American Bully, had been adopted by Nicole from a shelter when she was 8 years old. For the next four years, this sweet and loving dog became Nicole’s closest companion and her true soulmate.
Trixie spent her golden years surrounded by love, care, and the warmth of her family.
When it was time for her to cross the rainbow bridge, she left behind a special gift—a gentle reminder of her love—to help her family heal and find comfort in their grief.
At the heart of this touching story lies love, healing, and an unbreakable bond that transcends time.
A Gift From Beyond
After Trixie passed away, Nicole and her brother decided to honor her memory by donating supplies to the shelter where they had first met her.
As they walked through the crowded aisles filled with barking dogs, one quiet presence stood out.
A gentle, mid-sized chocolate-colored dog named Rena sat calmly in her kennel, her warm eyes silently inviting someone to come closer and offer a kind touch.
Source: @nicandtrix
“At the shelter, she was pressing her body up against the cage, just looking for pets,” Nicole shared with GeoBeats Animals. “Trixie was also the only dog in the shelter who wasn’t barking.”
The similarities between Rena and Trixie were undeniable, and in that quiet moment, Nicole and her brother felt an immediate and powerful connection with her.
Rena’s story was marked by hardship and heartache.
She was first found as a stray in the DC area and brought to a local shelter. Eventually, she was adopted, finding what seemed like a forever home.
But tragedy struck again—a year later, her owner passed away, leaving Rena alone once more, searching for love and stability.
Source: GeoBeats Animals
Rena’s journey continued with more heartbreak.
After her owner’s passing, the children tried to care for her, but their housing restrictions prevented them from keeping her. Heartbroken, they had no choice but to return Rena to the shelter.
Struggling to find a home, Rena was eventually transferred to a shelter in New Jersey—where fate, or perhaps something more, brought her to Nicole.
“She came into our life through my past dog, Trixie,” Nicole shared, firmly believing her beloved Trixie had guided Rena to them.
Initially, Nicole and her brother planned to foster Rena temporarily, as they were still grieving Trixie’s loss. But it didn’t take long for Rena to win their hearts, and soon enough, they knew she was meant to stay.
Love Renewed
Source: @nicandtrix
From the moment Rena stepped into their home, she radiated pure joy.
“She carried the same characteristics as Trixie, like her love for tennis balls, wiggling in the grass, and lounging in the sun,” Nicole shared on Instagram. “I truly believe Trixie sent us this dog and is watching over. I saw this as a sign to make it permanent and officially adopt this sweet lady into our lives.”
It was clear that Rena wasn’t just a foster—she was family, a beautiful gift from Trixie to help heal their hearts.
Rena, a three-year-old bundle of joy, brought a new kind of energy into Nicole’s home. Unlike Trixie, who spent her golden years napping peacefully, Rena is all about playtime and adventure.
But as it turned out, a playful little spirit was exactly what this grieving family needed to heal.
With her adorable “chocolate cow” coat and the funniest floppy ears you’ll ever see, Rena quickly became the heart of their home—a perfect mix of sweetness and silliness.
Source: @nicandtrix
“It’s interesting—Trixie had specific spots outside that she always gravitated towards. Sometimes I’ll catch Rena near those spots, just sniffing around,” Nicole shared.
Beyond her playful and joyful nature, Rena seems to have a special gift—a quiet intuition that draws her to people who need her most. Just as Nicole and her brother needed her to heal their broken hearts, Rena effortlessly fills those emotional spaces with love, warmth, and an undeniable sense of purpose.
One day, out of curiosity, Nicole decided to Google the meaning of Rena’s name. What she discovered brought tears to her eyes.
“I randomly decided to Google this foster pup’s name to understand the meaning and was happily shocked to find that it had the same meaning as Trixie’s name… ‘joy,’” Nicole shared in an emotional Instagram post.
The connection felt undeniable. Two dogs, adopted at different times and under different circumstances, shared not only similar traits but also the same name meaning—a word that perfectly captured the love and happiness they brought into Nicole’s life.
For Nicole, it was the final sign she needed: Trixie had undoubtedly sent Rena to them.
Source: GeoBeats Animals
Coping with the loss of a beloved pet is a deeply personal and challenging journey.
Give yourself grace and patience as you navigate this difficult time. Allow space for healing, honor the memories you shared, and know that it’s okay to feel a mix of emotions.
Grief takes its own path, but love always finds a way to leave its mark—just like Trixie did through Rena.