“As true members of our family, we take them with us whenever we can.” Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s line from 2017 displayed the love that exists in his family, even with the unique members. After their marriage, Dale Jr. and Amy Earnhardt welcomed two furry canine friends – Gus and Junebug. The two dogs belong to different breeds – Gus is an Irish Setter and Junebug a Pomeranian.
Their presence lit up the household and kept Dale Jr happy even away from the racetrack. However, like all good things, that happiness may soon end.
Dale Earnhardt Jr reveals a sad piece of news
The memories that one cherishes with canine friends can run deep. Gus and Junebug came into Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his wife’s household, but they were not young. Junebug has been around for 15 years, actively engaging with the Earnhardt activities. In a 2017 promotional article for Nationwide, Dale Jr revealed that his dogs loved riding the car with him. As soon as he started getting dressed, Gus and Junebug got excited to join him on the adventure. They beat him to the front door of the car as soon as Dale Jr grabbed the car keys – eager to join the NASCAR veteran on his journey.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. may be reminiscing about this sweet memory even more right now. In a recent Dale Jr. Download episode, the 26-time Cup Series race winner dropped some heartbreaking piece of news.
“June Bug had a stroke. June Bug has lost some feeling, I believe, in some parts of his body… he’s doing that on a couple of legs where he is not sure where the ground’s at. And he falls over – he falls over like a fainting goat. And not moving very well, for about two days he was mute.” Dale Jr added the dire situation that his furry friend is facing: “So it’s touch and go for Junebug.”
That is because of the concerning medical diagnosis. According to the doctor, the little furball does not have so long. “The prognosis from the vet was that he might have anywhere between 2 to 6 months.”
However, little signs of improvement here and there may offer some hope. Dale Earnhardt Jr added, “I just got a text from Amy that he’s barking. Yesterday, I got him just to growl a little bit because I’ll play with him about his food. He won’t eat… he has been drinking some water. We’re feeding him peanut butter off the tips of our fingers. That’s about the only way we can get him to take anything down…But I would say, he has improved over the last couple of days…So he’s feeling somewhat better.”
As Junebug goes through this difficult time, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his family try to make him as comfortable as possible. Nevertheless, the little furball’s memory is already immortal in other people’s hearts.
Getting a spot in history
Well, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s motorsports fame is nothing short of extraordinary. A legacy that started with his father, Dale Earnhardt’s 7-time Cup Series championship career, and continued with Dale Jr at the helm. From being an active Cup Series driver to a successful Xfinity Series team owner – he won the 2024 championship with Justin Allgaier – Dale Jr’s fame knows no bounds.
Accordingly, his beloved dogs are also part of this rich legacy. Both Gus and Junebug have been featured in the headlines several times. For instance, when Dale Jr. opened his third Whiskey River restaurant at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, it had interesting features. Those included meaty entrees, a wall covered with belt buckles, and a stationary mechanical bull named Junebug – a fitting tribute to the fierce little furball at home.
But people remember both Gus and Junebug in another special way. Starting in 2017, the Dale and Amy Earnhardt Fund supports Nationwide Children’s Hospital. It helps in the area of pediatric injury rehabilitation, research and prevention, brain injury rehabilitation, head and spinal cord injuries, and other physically disabling conditions and injuries.
What’s more, Dale Earnhardt Jr’s efforts resulted in the hospital installing hand-carved animal friends, considering the positive impact of animals on ailing patients. Among those hand-carved pieces were none other than figurines of Gus and Junebug.
Evidently, Junebug’s dire condition will leave a long trail of people worried. Hopefully, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s furry friend will pull through – or if not, get a peaceful farewell.
The post “It’s Touch and Go” – Dale Earnhardt Jr and Wife’s Partner of Nearly 15 Years Trembles Near to It’s End appeared first on EssentiallySports.