A Final Goodbye to My Little Rebel – Esta 

Today, the world feels quieter. The house feels emptier. My heart feels heavier than words can hold—because my little girl, my fierce and fearless Esta, has taken her final breath and left this earth far too soon.

Esta wasn’t just a dog. She was a wild spark in a world that too often tries to tame the spirit. She was stubborn in the most lovable ways—full of attitude, defiance, and flair. If she wanted to nap on the couch instead of the bed, nothing could change her mind. If she didn’t want a kiss, she’d give you a look that said, “Try it and suffer.” But beneath all of that bold personality was a soul bursting with love—a heart that quietly guarded mine.

We didn’t always understand each other at first, but with time, we didn’t need to speak at all. She just knew. She could sense when I was hurting, when I needed silence, or when laughter was the only thing holding me together—and she’d deliver it, in her own unapologetic way. She taught me patience. She taught me loyalty. And above all, she taught me that love doesn’t have to be perfect to be profound.

I think that’s what hurts the most—knowing there’s now an empty space where she used to be. Her food bowl, untouched. Her favorite spot by the window, still. Her little collar, no longer jingling with that familiar rhythm that used to greet me at the door. These things are just objects, but without her, they feel like monuments to a life that mattered deeply.

I called her my little rebel, and she lived up to it every single day. But oh, how I loved her for it. For the way she refused to be ordinary. For the way she kept me on my toes. For the way she challenged me to love unconditionally—even when she stole my spot on the couch or pretended she didn’t hear me calling her name.

Esta, I hope wherever you are now, you’re running free—no pain, no limits, no leashes. I hope you’re chasing butterflies, rolling in the grass, barking at nothing just because you can. I hope you know how deeply you were loved, how fiercely you were cherished, and how much you changed my life just by being in it.

You were small in size, but mighty in spirit. A true one-of-a-kind soul.
Sleep well, my little girl. You’ll always be my rebel. You’ll always be mine. 💫

Forever and always,
—Rod