Thanksgiving weekend brought a wave of heartbreak for Caitlin Clark. Instead of sharing holiday moments, she turned to Instagram to reveal that her golden retriever, Bella, had passed away. Bella had been part of Clark’s life for nearly a decade, and the post showed just how deep the bond really was. “We are gonna miss you puppy . Gave us so many good memories ,” she wrote alongside a photo of Bella resting on autumn leaves.
Clark also shared a then-and-now collage taken nine years apart. In both pictures, she poses the same way with Bella, making it clear how constant their companionship had been. Bella entered Clark’s life when she was only 14 in Des Moines, long before national TV games, sold-out arenas or WNBA stardom were part of the story.
Throughout her playing journey, Bella became a small but meaningful symbol of home. During the quiet COVID seasons at Iowa, Clark often carried a cardboard cutout of Bella to games while her family held their own Bella-themed cutouts in the stands. Over time, Bella became something of a good-luck presence during Clark’s rise.
We are gonna miss you puppy. Gave us so many good memories
Caitlin Clark’s goodbye to Bella: A moment fans felt deeply
Once Clark shared the news, fans filled social media with messages of support. “Rest in peace Bella ,” one fan wrote. Another shared a longer tribute about losing a dog being like losing a family member, sending strength to Clark and imagining Bella running alongside their own late pup.
Earlier this year, Clark found a way to honor Bella through her game. On June 14, against the New York Liberty, she delivered one of her standout performances with 32 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds. What made the moment unforgettable was her footwear. Clark wore a custom Nike Kobe 6 Protro colorway she helped design called “The Bellas.” The shoes were gold, with a pink tongue inspired by Bella, and featured the dog’s picture on the insole. In a postgame interview, she explained the personal meaning behind the design and why she wanted Bella represented.
This loss comes at a difficult moment for Clark, who missed the end of her 2025 season due to a series of injuries, including quad and groin issues and an ankle bone bruise. She had recently received her first invitation to the USA Basketball senior national team training camp, scheduled for December 12 to 14 at Duke University, a major career milestone that she will now enter without her longtime companion.
Still, the supportive messages continue to pour in. As one fan wrote with gentle encouragement, “Losing a small fur buddy is so hard. Peace and love to the smalls.” For Clark, Bella’s memory remains a source of comfort as she prepares for her next chapter on and off the court.
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