Say what you want about Fallout 4, but almost everyone who’s played the game will remember their NPC dog companion, Dogmeat. Dogmeat helps players attack, defend, and even find loot, making them a valuable companion in the wastelands. We apologize for being the bearer of sad news, but the real-life inspiration for Dogmeat has recently passed away.

Former Fallout developer Joel Burgess announced on his Twitter account that River, the real-life dog that inspired Fallout 4‘s Dogmeat, has died. Earlier today, Burgess has uploaded several tweets and images showing the late River and how the dog was instrumental to the development of Fallout 4. Many gamers have since offered their condolences.

You can check out his entire Twitter thread below:

I said goodbye today to River, who most of you know as Fallout 4’s Dogmeat.

Heartbroken doesn't cover it, but I won’t eulogize her here. For twitter, I thought it'd be appropriate to look back at her impact on that game.

(plus, writing about game dev hurts less than grieving) pic.twitter.com/ayN1Vd6oqQ

— Joel Burgess (@JoelBurgess) June 27, 2021

You can also check out more behind the scenes footage of River as Dogmeat in the video below:

Rest in peace in canine heaven, River. We’ll miss you.