“Quality girl time 💕.” That was the simple yet heartfelt caption Lindsey Vonn wrote on July 17, 2023. The photo? A sun-drenched moment at a beach resort, where she soaked in the serenity of the ocean with her furry constant companion—Lucy Vonn. Yes, Lucy Vonn. Because for Lindsey, Lucy was never just a pet. She was family, not just in spirit but in name. A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who didn’t just share her owner’s home, but her heart, her travels, and even her surname. For nine years, they built a world together, one that revolved around love, adventure, and an unbreakable bond. But on March 30, 2024, that world stopped spinning…

Lucy Vonn is gone. Lindsey didn’t take long to share her heartbreak with her 2.5 million Instagram followers. In a tribute that felt like a love letter to a lost piece of her soul, she poured out her grief: “RIP Lucy🐶🕊️… today my sweet, sweet Lucy left us… 9 years ago she came into my life… We traveled the world together, skied, hiked, biked, explored, went down waterfalls, up in air balloons, to the Olympics… we went on SO many incredible adventures together and created so many memories that I am beyond lucky to have shared with her.”

Every word carried the weight of loss—the kind that lingers in the quiet spaces, in the routines that now feel empty, in the absence of soft paws following her every step. The kind of loss that no number of trophies, accolades, or victories can ever heal. And if there was any doubt about the depth of her grief, she made it painfully clear on April 1, when she took to X  and laid bare the rawness of her sorrow: “I’ve cried so much in the past week I don’t know if there are any more tears left in me…”  For someone who has spent her life conquering mountains, this might just be her steepest descent yet.

But if there’s one thing we know about Lindsey Vonn, it’s that she doesn’t shy away from the hard climbs. And while Lucy may no longer be at her side, their love remains—woven into every adventure, every memory, and every beat of a heart that will never forget. And see where she is standing right now! 

March 23 wasn’t just another race day for Lindsey Vonn. It was a homecoming—a moment that had been 2,565 days in the making. Nearly seven years after her last World Cup podium finish, she stood once again on the steps of victory, finishing second at the STIFEL FIS World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho. But this wasn’t just about speed or medals. This was about resilience. About silencing doubters. About proving that time may leave its mark, but it does not define a champion.

At 40 years old, Lindsey Vonn made history as the oldest alpine skier to claim a World Cup podium finish. But the weight of the moment was heavier than records and milestones. As she stood there, tears welled in her eyes—not just for the victory, but for the absence of someone who had been with her through every win, every loss, every comeback. Unfortunately, she will not have Lucy with her at the Olympics. She would only have her memory of someone who was there with her every walk in the last 9 years. 

Lindsey Vonn has some beautiful memories with Lucy 

For Lindsey Vonn, home was never just a place—it was a feeling. A sanctuary filled with love, comfort, and the unwavering companionship of her four-legged family.

On February 19, as she pushed herself through the grueling routine required to reach the World Cup podium, she found solace in the simple joys of being with her pets. Her Instagram post that day reflected that deep sense of comfort: “Home sweet home ❤️ time to recharge my batteries, get stronger and refocus for the last few weeks of the season. Being with my fur babies is exactly what I needed!” Leo and Lucy were there, their presence a quiet but powerful source of strength. They didn’t understand the pressure she faced, the expectations placed on her shoulders. But they didn’t need to. They just were—a constant reminder that, no matter how demanding the world became, love was always waiting for her at home.

A year earlier, on Valentine’s Day, Vonn had shared another glimpse into her world—a carousel of photos featuring Lucy, Leo, and Jade, her Belgian Malinois. But one beloved face was missing. Bear, her Chow Retriever, was gone. Her caption carried the weight of loss and love in equal measure: “Thankful for unconditional love 🐕 🐶 🐾 Because no matter how high or how low life gets, I will always have their love ❤️ Happy Valentine’s Day! Sending ❤️ to everyone from me and my furry valentines 💌. We miss you Bear ❤️🕊️🙏🏻.” Now, that frame has changed again. This time, Lucy and Jade are missing. The once-complete family that had filled her home with warmth, laughter, and companionship has grown smaller.

For Vonn, every victory, every challenge, and every quiet moment at home is now marked by their absence. But love—real love—never truly leaves. It lingers in the spaces they once occupied, in the routines they were part of, and in the heart that carries them forward.