‘RIP’: Dale Jr & Wife Amy Face Tragic Loss, Leaving Earnhardt Family Mourning

Over the years, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Amy have shared glimpses of their home life through their two beloved dogs: Gus, the regal Irish setter, and Junebug, a pint-sized Pomeranian with a big heart. In a 2017 feature, Junior recounted how the minute he grabbed his car keys, Gus would press at the door in anticipation of a ride, and Junebug would eagerly join in, noses pressed against the glass as though the truck couldn’t depart soon enough. But Junebug always held a special, quieter place in their story. But now that chapter has come to a sorrowful end.

Amy’s own words hang heavy and honest, as she posted on Instagram, “Yesterday my tiny Junebug made his way over the rainbow bridge. My heart is broken. I know dogs don’t live forever, but we definitely don’t get them long enough. I’m going to miss you my sweet boy. Fly high and I’ll see you again.” Junebug wasn’t just a pet; he was family, a fixture of the Earnhardt household, whose small size belied a large place in their lives.

Junebug arrived in the Earnhardt orbit years ago as Amy’s Pomeranian and quickly became more than a backyard companion; he became part of the Earnhardt public story. Junior himself joked in the past about how Junebug was easy to bring to tracks and events, recalling in 2013, “I don’t claim it. He’s pretty cool, but I don’t admit it. He goes every week because he’s so small, he’s easy to carry around,” showing how Junebug threaded into both the private family routine and the racing world’s periphery.

Over time, Junebug and Gus turned up in lighthearted features, including Junior’s restaurant decor nods to the carved animal figures at Nationwide Children’s Hospital that immortalized the dogs to comfort hospitalized children. But there were sharp, intimate moments in recent months that revealed how fragile Junebug had become and how the family rallied around him.

On his podcast and in interviews, Junior described Junebug’s health struggles candidly. The Pomeranian suffered a stroke, lost some feeling and balance in his legs, and at one point wouldn’t eat, as the Earnhardts coaxed him with peanut butter and fingertip feedings to keep him going. “He’s doing that on a couple of legs where he is not sure where the ground’s at. And he falls over, he falls over like a fainting goat. And not moving very well, for about two days, he was mute.” Junior explained in March.

“I just got a text from Amy that he is barking. So yesterday, I got him just to growl, just a little bit because I play with him about his food… That’s about only way we can get him to take anything down. So it’s touch and go for Junebug.” Those updates made clear that Junebug’s decline had been a slow, communal thing the family had braced for. His personality was often on display in light, revealing vignettes that fans and local outlets picked up, often treating him like a celebrity.

The mechanical bull named “Junebug” at the Whiskey River restaurant and the hand-carved Junebug figurine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital are examples of how the Earnhardts translated private affection into public, playful memories long before this moment. Yet sadly, everything has to come to an end. Some goodbyes are only temporary, for the love we carry ensures we’ll meet them again on the other side.

Fellow NASCAR voices and fans console Dale Jr. and Amy with touching tributes

Jamie Little captured the sorrow with gentle words for Amy Earnhardt, writing, “What a little sweetheart. I’m sorry Amy. ” Longtime family member and Junior’s sister, Kelley Earnhardt Miller, echoed the pain, “We will miss JB. Love you!” The emotions underline how much Junebug meant not only to Junior and Any but also to those closest to them.

The outpouring of love continued across NASCAR circles. Gianna Tulio Blaney left a tender note, writing, “ so sorry, sending all my love!” while broadcaster Rutledge Wood shared a simple, heartfelt response: “” American singer Luke Combs’ wife, Nicole Combs, also added, “what a sweetie you can tell he was so loved.” Together, their messages reflect the wide embrace surrounding the Earnhardts during this loss.

Among the most poignant tributes came from former driver Danica Patrick, who wrote, “Ohh sweet Junebug, and your heart. I am so sorry. ” Fans too, could not hide their sorrows, as one added, “I’m so sorryOur furbabies are family and it’s devastating to lose them. Sending you and your family big hugs and prayers” Their words perfectly capture the shared grief across the racing community, highlighting just how Junebug had touched lives far beyond the Earnhardt home.

The post ‘RIP’: Dale Jr & Wife Amy Face Tragic Loss, Leaving Earnhardt Family Mourning appeared first on EssentiallySports.