The house felt too quiet that morning.
Even the walls seemed to know something was missing.
Odin lay on the floor, breathing slow and heavy.
His body hurt in places he did not understand.
His heart felt tired in a way that scared him.
He lifted his head once, then let it fall again.
Raffie was not beside him anymore.
That was the hardest part to understand.
Odin had spent his whole life knowing where Raffie was.
He knew Raffie’s smell better than his own.
He knew the sound of Raffie’s paws on the floor.
He knew the soft way Raffie leaned against him when sleeping.
That morning, the space was empty.
Odin’s chest felt shattered in a way words could never fix.
He did not know what Christmas was.
He only knew that night had been loud and full of fear.
He remembered Raffie’s heartbeat racing beside him.
He remembered the sudden danger.
Odin remembered choosing without thinking.
He always chose Raffie.
Odin was not the biggest dog in the room.
He was not the fastest either.
But he had a heart that moved before his body did.
When the attack began, Odin did not hesitate.
Fear did not stop him.
Pain did not slow him.
He pushed himself forward because Raffie was there.
Raffie needed him.
That was enough.
Odin placed himself between danger and his best friend.
He took the bites meant for Raffie.
He took the weight of fear into his own body.
He did not think of tomorrow.
He did not think of rest.
He only thought, stay standing.
He only thought, protect.
His legs shook, but he stayed.
Rest in peace to Raffie the pitbull that brought millions of people joy every day.
— Steven Latham (@wienerdogwifi) December 24, 2025
My heart breaks for Maren Peeters
RUN FREE RAFFIE. pic.twitter.com/5Xs3dHnPtM
His body screamed, but he stayed.
Odin loved with his whole soul.
Love made him brave when fear tried to win.
When the chaos finally stopped, Odin was still there.
He was bleeding.
He was hurting.
But Raffie was alive.
That mattered more than anything.
Later, when the house became quiet again, Odin searched for Raffie.
He sniffed the air.
He walked slowly from room to room.
He did not understand why Raffie did not answer.
He lay down where Raffie used to sleep.
He waited.
Hours passed in silence.
The smell of Christmas filled the air.
Odin did not know joy that day.
He only knew loss.
Raffie’s heart had stopped.
Odin did not know what a heart attack was.
He only knew Raffie was gone.
The bond they shared did not disappear.
It stayed, heavy and aching.
Odin felt it pulling at him.
His body grew weaker, but his love did not.
When Maren arrived, Odin lifted his head.
He knew her voice.
He knew her scent.
He used the last of his strength to reach her.
Safe arms were all he wanted in that moment.
He placed his head in her hands.
He let his body fall.
Maren saw what Odin could not see.
His face was swollen.
His eyes were tired.
His body was worn down.
She barely recognized him.
Odin recognized her instantly.
That was enough for him.
When her tears fell onto his fur, he did not move away.
He leaned into her touch.
He wanted her to know he tried.
He wanted her to know he stayed.
His breathing grew shallow.
Each breath took more effort.
Odin was not afraid of leaving.
He was afraid of leaving Raffie alone.
In his heart, Raffie was still waiting.
He imagined Raffie running again.
He imagined Raffie whole and happy.
Odin felt himself getting tired.
Not the kind of tired that sleep fixes.
The kind that tells you it is time.
His sweet soul had given everything it had.
Odin’s body gave up before his love did.
He could not fight anymore.
He had fought enough.
He had protected.
He had loved.
He had stayed until he could not stay.
When he passed, the room felt heavier.
The silence pressed down like a blanket.
Maren held him and cried.
Her heart broke in pieces she could not count.
She whispered goodbye through tears.
Odin did not hear the words.
But he felt the love.
Love was the last thing he knew.
Somewhere beyond pain, Odin found Raffie.
He felt the familiar warmth beside him again.
No fear followed them there.
No wounds came with them.
Only the bond they had always shared.
They ran together without pain.
They leaned into each other like always.
Best friends do not leave each other behind.
Back in the house, memories filled every corner.
Two bowls side by side.
Two beds that would not be moved.
Photos of happier days.
Raffie and Odin together.
Always together.
Maren shared their story with the world.
She shared her pain because it was too big to hold alone.
People cried with her.
People remembered Odin’s bravery.
They remembered Raffie’s gentle spirit.
They saw love in its purest form.
Not flashy.
Not loud.
Just loyal and true.
Odin was not just a dog.
He was a protector.
He was a brother.
He was a hero without knowing it.
Heartbreaking love sometimes looks like sacrifice.
Time will move forward, even when hearts resist it.
The pain will soften, but it will not disappear.
Raffie and Odin will always be part of the story.
They will always be remembered together.
Two souls tied by love.
Two lives changed by loyalty.
In quiet moments, Maren still feels them.
In memories that come without warning.
In the space between breaths.
Odin did not live long enough.
But he lived fully.
He loved without limits.
He chose love over fear.
That choice mattered.
It always will.
Some bonds are stronger than life itself.
They stretch beyond loss.
They wait patiently.
Until the day safe arms meet again.
Forever could never be long enough for love like theirs.