Simba, our beloved Rhodesian Ridgeback, entered our lives in the fall of 2014 when he was just 10 weeks old. From the moment we met him, we were completely in love — and our lives were forever changed.

Simba was so much more than a pet — he was family. He loved snuggling under the blanket with his mom, leaning his big body against us for comfort, and tearing into presents like a child on Christmas morning. He was endlessly curious about kitties, loved chasing squirrels in the yard, and his deep, booming “bah-woo” at the gardener would shake the whole house — music to our ears. He filled every day with laughter, warmth, and unconditional love.

For five wonderful years, Simba was healthy and full of life. Then, unexpectedly, he suffered a stroke that left him in the ICU for six long days. He couldn’t walk, couldn’t see, and had lost many of his basic functions. Because of the pandemic, we couldn’t even visit him — it was heartbreaking not knowing if he would ever come home. But thanks to an incredible team of veterinary professionals and Simba’s unbreakable spirit, our boy pulled through.

His recovery was nothing short of miraculous. After months of feeding tubes, home therapy, and endless love, Simba made a full recovery and was happier and healthier than ever. We cherished every moment with him, making new memories that filled our hearts with gratitude.

Years later, Simba faced another challenge — a series of seizures. Once again, his devoted care team found a treatment plan that gave him comfort and stability. Then, at age nine, we received devastating news: Simba was diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy, a progressive neurological disease. We were told he might have only 6–9 months left.

But Simba wasn’t done writing his story. With the guidance of his neurologist and rehab team, we built a care plan that included a special diet, supplements, underwater treadmill therapy, massages, and cold laser treatments. We did nightly laser therapy at home and surrounded him with love and encouragement.

Even as the disease progressed and Simba lost the use of his hind legs, his spirit never wavered. He learned new ways to communicate with us and continued to enjoy his walks, park visits, and even beach trips in his wheelchair. He greeted every day with joy, strength, and that same big-hearted presence that defined him all his life.

Against all odds, Simba lived an incredible 17 months beyond his diagnosis, reaching 11 years old. His resilience, gentle soul, and the extraordinary care of his medical team gave us the gift of more time — time filled with snuggles, adventures, laughter, and love beyond measure.

Simba will forever be remembered as the greatest love story of our lives — our gentle giant, protector, and fierce companion. His story is a testament to the power of love, determination, and the extraordinary impact of those who helped us care for the ones we love most.