03/18/2026
💔 Brokenhearted doesn’t even begin to describe how Justan and I have felt as the events of last week unfolded and we had to say goodbye to our sweet Wilbur. A goodbye that came unexpected and far too soon. 😭
Just eight days after bringing Wilbur home, we learned he had a serious congenital heart defect. After conversations with our veterinarian and the specialists at the MU Veterinary Health Center, we were told the best chance at a long life was a corrective heart procedure. We loved him from the moment we met him at just 3½ weeks old, so doing everything possible for him was never a question. 🫶🏼
After multiple trips to Columbia and many tests, his surgery was scheduled for Wednesday, March 11th. That morning we kissed him goodbye, trusting the team caring for him. About five hours later we got the call that he was out of surgery and stable, and we felt such relief.
But not long after, the updates became more concerning. Complications arose, and his heart defects were more severe than expected. 🥺 We were able to spend time holding him in the ICU, hoping he would turn the corner.
Early Friday morning we received the call asking us to come right away because Wilbur’s body was shutting down. We held our sweet boy close, told him how much we loved him, and hugged him as he took his final breaths. It’s a moment we will never forget. 💔
We cannot say enough about the doctors, technicians, and staff at the MU Veterinary Health Center. Every person showed such compassion, kindness, and care. 💛 They fought hard for Wilbur and cared deeply for him—and for us. We will never forget the love they showed during such a difficult time.
To our family, friends, and the support system around us—thank you will never feel like enough. 🥹 The prayers, messages, cards, flowers, treats, and daily check-ins have meant more than we could ever fully express. You carried us through an incredibly painful week. 🫶🏼
Grief after losing a pet can be intensely heavy because they’re woven into the quiet moments of our daily life. Wilbur was with us for far too short of a time, but he was deeply loved every single day he was here and will always hold a special place in our hearts. 🐾
