When Nicole lost her beloved soul dog, Trixie, she was heartbroken.
Trixie, a senior American Bully, had been rescued from a shelter at eight years old. For the next four years, she became Nicole’s closest companion and dearest friend.
Trixie spent her golden years surrounded by love, cherished by her family every step of the way.
When the time came for her to cross the rainbow bridge, she left behind a special gift—one that would help ease her family’s grief.
At the heart of this touching story lies love, healing, and an unbreakable bond.
A Gift From Beyond
After Trixie passed away, Nicole and her brother decided to visit the shelter where they had first found her, bringing supplies to support the animals still waiting for homes.
As they walked through the overcrowded shelter, the sound of barking filled the air—except for one quiet dog.
A gentle, mid-sized chocolate-colored pup named Rena sat silently in her kennel, her eyes filled with hope, simply waiting for someone to notice her and offer a comforting touch.
Source: @nicandtrix
“At the shelter, she was pressing her body up against the cage, just looking for pets,” Nicole told GeoBeats Animals. “Trixie was also the only dog in the shelter who wasn’t barking.”
The resemblance was undeniable. Rena’s quiet demeanor and gentle nature reminded them so much of Trixie that they instantly felt a deep connection with her.
Rena wasn’t just waiting for love—she was in desperate need of help.
Originally found as a stray in the D.C. area, she had been rescued and taken to a local shelter. Eventually, she was adopted, but tragedy struck again. After a year in her new home, her owner passed away, leaving Rena alone once more.
Source: GeoBeats Animals
Rena’s late owner’s children tried to take her in, but due to housing restrictions, they couldn’t keep her. Heartbreakingly, she ended up back at the shelter, where she struggled to find a new home.
Eventually, she was transferred to a shelter in New Jersey—the very place where she would meet Nicole.
“She came into our life through my past dog, Trixie,” Nicole shared, believing wholeheartedly that her beloved Trixie had guided Rena to them.
Initially, they planned to foster Rena while they were still grieving, but it didn’t take long for them to fall completely in love with her.
Love Renewed
Source: @nicandtrix
The moment Rena stepped into their home, she radiated pure joy.
“She carried the same characteristics as Trixie—her love for tennis balls, wiggling in the grass, and basking 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.”
With that, Rena found not just a home, but a family who would cherish her forever.
Rena, a three-year-old bundle of joy, is full of energy and loves to play—quite the contrast to Trixie, who, in her senior years, preferred long naps over playtime.
But a lively, playful pup was exactly what this grieving family needed.
With her adorable “chocolate cow” coat and the funniest floppy ears, Rena quickly became the light in their lives, bringing laughter and love when they needed it most.
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 observed.
Beyond her playful nature and joyful spirit, Rena has an incredible gift—she seems to sense when someone needs her. Just as she found her way to Nicole and her family in their time of grief, she has a way of offering comfort and love to those who need it most.
One day, curiosity led Nicole to search for the meaning of Rena’s name—and what she found 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,’” she shared in an emotional Instagram post.
The connection was undeniable. Two dogs, seemingly chosen at random, shared so many similarities—and now, even their names carried the same meaning. It was the sign they needed—Trixie had sent them Rena.
Source: GeoBeats Animals
Losing a beloved pet is never easy, and the grieving process can be a deeply emotional journey.
Be gentle with yourself during this time—allow space for healing, honor the bond you shared, and embrace the memories that will always remain in your heart.