In a poignant moment amid her whirlwind WNBA season, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark took to social media Tuesday to share a deeply emotional tribute to her cherished golden retriever, Jackie, who passed away after battle with lymphoma. The announcement, posted on X (formerly Twitter) just hours before the Fever’s crucial playoff push, left fans worldwide in tears, flooding her timeline with messages of love and support.
“Jackie, my shadow, my joy, my heart—12 years wasn’t enough, but you gave me everything,” Clark wrote in the raw, 200-word message that quickly garnered over 500,000 likes. “From chasing me around the Iowa farm as a pup to curling up courtside during my Hawkeye days, you were my constant through the chaos. You fought this beast of a disease like the warrior you were—chemo sessions, endless vet runs, and still wagging that tail for one more walk. Losing you feels like losing a piece of home, but I’ll carry your spirit every step, every crossover, every buzzer-beater. Rest easy, girl. Fetch those rainbows now. 🐾❤️ #ForeverJackie”
Clark, 23, adopted Jackie during her high school years in West Des Moines, Iowa, turning the energetic pup into a fixture of her pre-fame life. Photos accompanying the post show a young Clark, braces and all, mid-laugh with Jackie mid-leap, juxtaposed against recent images of the dog, frail but eyes sparkling, nuzzling Clark’s game-worn sneakers. “She was the one who got me through Dad’s deployments and Mom’s late shifts,” Clark told ESPN in a follow-up interview from her Indianapolis apartment. “Cancer hit fast last spring—diagnosed in April, treatments through summer. I flew home every off-day, but watching her fade… it’s the hardest loss yet.”
The WNBA sensation, fresh off a 28-point, 10-assist gem against the Liberty, credited Jackie for her grounded stardom. “In a league that tests you daily, she reminded me why I play—for the pure thrill, like our backyard games,” Clark said, voice cracking. Teammates rallied: Fever forward NaLyssa Smith posted, “Jackie’s legacy lives in your fire, CC. Hugs from the fam.” Even rivals chimed in; Aces guard Jackie Young, no stranger to Clark’s orbit, replied, “Sending strength. Pets are family—honor her by shining brighter.”
As the Fever eye a Finals run, Clark’s vulnerability underscores her off-court depth. Jackie’s battle mirrored Clark’s own resilience—rookie hazing, injuries, spotlight scrutiny—yet she emerges unbreakable. A memorial walk in Des Moines is planned for next month, with proceeds to canine cancer research. For Clark, it’s not goodbye, but “see you at the rainbow bridge.”
