Subscribe
Hellobeautiful Featured Video
CLOSE
Wimbledon Champions Dinner - Red Carpet Arrivals

Source: Karwai Tang / Getty

Serena Williams had to say a tearful goodbye to the love of her life earlier today.

After 16 wonderful years together, Serena has lost her dog Jackie. The tennis pro knew that the end was near as she posted a video online of her snuggling with the pooch this morning.

“I just want to share this with everyone ’cause she’s getting old and she’s really struggling and she means the world to me,” Serena said as she fought back tears. “She’s made my life better.”

Just a few short hours later, Jackie was gone. Serena paid tribute to her with a collage on Instagram.

“My special friend in which I got at 17 (2 weeks before I won my very first Grand Slam) left me today,” Serena wrote in the caption. “She was 16 years young and up until a few days ago was still sprinting. Her poor body gave out this morning and she had a way of telling me it was time for me to be brave and let her go.”

She added, “With my dad by my side we were able to say a loving goodbye. She was with me from 1999 until today and I miss her so much.”

RELATED STORIES:

Serena Williams Uses Bad-Ass Tennis Powers To Defeat Petty Thief

Serena Williams Encourages #BlackLives Matter Movement: ‘Don’t Let Those Trolls Stop You’

Serena Williams And Drake Share A Sweet Moment After Her NYFW Presentation

The grand return of the Melanin Awards amplifies and honors the finest Black-owned beauty brands with honest reviews, and discusses the evolution of beauty in Hip-Hop culture.