We shared the sad news on Instagram Stories last week, and wanted to post here as well since Burger was such an important part of our blog and our lives. Last Monday our sweet chihuahua, Burger, passed away at 15. He lived a long, wonderful life and we are deeply grateful for every year with him, but the house feels so quiet without him.
We brought Burger home when we were 24—before marriage, before the blog, before children, before most of the things that made us adults. He was with us through everything, a constant companion during every stage of our life together.
Burger was pure joy—always cheerful, always ready to make us laugh. Six years ago he was diagnosed with a severe heart murmur, and yet he defied the odds and gave us many more happy years. He seemed peaceful when he passed, as if he simply fell asleep and didn’t wake up. There was no long decline—just a sudden, heartbreaking goodbye one afternoon.
We miss his cuddles and the little moments—like when he’d get something silly on his nose and we’d help him out. He had so many quirky habits that made him uniquely him.
He hated costumes but loved attention, and he had a face that could make anyone melt. From his disgruntled holiday photos to his unmistakable “foot phone” pose, he made ordinary moments unforgettable.
We even took him on our honeymoon to Alaska—because he was family and wherever we went, he went with us. Those trips and small daily rituals added up to a lifetime of memories.
We celebrated every birthday and savored every year. He was small in size but enormous in presence—he truly filled the house in the best way. Vets and neighbors adored him; the clinic staff told us he’d been a favorite at the office, and that made our last visit a little easier to bear.
He loved sun spots, naps on the porch, and lounging by the pool. One of our favorite traditions was floating with Burger on our Florida spring breaks—he clearly enjoyed the relaxation and maybe dreamed of retiring by a pool someday.
He didn’t miss an opportunity to test a new float or sunbathe on the deck. Seeing him content in a patch of sunlight made our summers brighter. He even loved being held like a baby—only by me, and only on the front porch—where he would instantly drift off.
Our children have known him their whole lives. He was always there to “Roomba the crumbs up” after meals, waiting hopefully for a dropped bite. That eager, happy face under the table is one of the many images we’ll carry with us.
We’re thankful for every picture, every silly tradition, and every quiet moment he gave us. There are countless photos that capture his personality—his smile in the float, the way he perched on laps, the tiny paws and expressive eyes that made him feel almost cartoonish at times.
We’ll love you forever, Burger. Saying goodbye has left us scattered—sad, grateful, overwhelmed by memories—but mostly thankful that we had him for so long. He was a founding member of our family, and the house won’t feel the same without him.
Thank you to everyone who loved him through the screen over the years—your messages and memories mean so much to us. In his honor, we’re planting a tree in one of his favorite sniff-and-pee spots. It feels right to leave something living in his memory where he used to enjoy the world.
We miss him terribly, but we are comforted by the long, love-filled life he had and the joy he brought into ours. Rest easy, Burger—we will carry you in our hearts forever.
