When someone we love passes away, it takes time to understand the loss. We grapple with questions like; "How could someone so precious slip away? How can it be that we'll never see them again in this life?" This is exactly what the family of conservationists and veterinary doctors experienced when they heard about the passing of Dr. Antoine Mudakikwa, fondly known as Dr. Tony. He goes down history as Rwanda’s first mountain gorilla doctor. Hearing the news on the morning of September 20, 2024, was a profound shock. I lost not only a friend, but also my big brother, mentor in veterinary medicine, and lifelong supervisor. Dr. Tony became more than just a supervisor; he was a confidant – a title he earned from everyone, including his son Rudy, daughter-in-law Bella, and the entire Mudakikwa family. Since 2004, as the second mountain gorilla doctor in Rwanda after Dr. Tony, I learned invaluable lessons from this incredible man. He taught me that the word "no" shouldn't have a place in my vocabulary. No matter the challenge's size or difficulty, Dr. Tony always answered a call for help. He significantly contributed to Rwanda's current ecotourism and One Health approach system, which is now a source of national pride and a delight for tourists.