Viral smiling dog Bella dies after sudden medical emergency

Bella, the viral dachshund from @buddy_bella_birdie, has died, according to a post shared by her owner on December 5.

The senior dog was known across Instagram for her snaggletooth grin and gentle energy, becoming the standout face of the Buddy, Bella & Birdie trio. Her photos and videos regularly pulled in thousands of likes from followers who connected with her expressive look and the account’s mix of dog and cat content.

In the announcement, Bella’s owner said the loss followed a sudden medical emergency and that they were with her at the end.

Bella’s owner shares emotional message with fans

In the post, Bella’s owner described the dog as “my soul dog” and explained how their bond formed years earlier after Bella moved in when her previous owner passed away. They said Bella followed them everywhere and was always by their side, adding that her passing left them “feeling empty.”

She revealed that Bella became ill during the night, prompting an emergency vet visit where doctors said the dog had been hiding her symptoms. “We did everything we could at the ER vet, but you were too far gone,” the owner wrote.

Instagram: buddy_bella_birdie

The message also thanked fans for supporting Bella over the years. The owner said they never expected the account to grow the way it did, noting stories from followers who said Bella helped them through dark periods, inspired them to adopt dogs, or gave them something to look forward to each day.

“This grief for her loss feels all-consuming, but it helps to know you all are grieving her with me,” the owner wrote. They added that they may not respond to messages for a while, but wanted followers to know the support “means the world.”