Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos are mourning the heartbreaking loss of a beloved family member—their cherished dog, Chewie.
During the February 5 episode of LIVE with Kelly & Mark, the couple revealed that they had to say goodbye to their longtime furry companion, a moment that left them deeply emotional.
An Emotional Goodbye to a Family Member
Mark Consuelos was the first to break the difficult news to their LIVE audience, describing the previous night as “rough” and expressing how difficult it was for their family.
“We had to say goodbye to Chewie yesterday,” he shared, his voice filled with emotion.
He went on to explain that Chewie, who had been with them for 17 years, had begun experiencing health complications, including a lack of appetite, severe dehydration,
and neurological issues. After consulting with their veterinarian, they made the painful decision to put Chewie to sleep.
Despite knowing it was the right thing to do, Mark admitted that the decision wasn’t easy. “It’s probably one of the toughest things we’ve had to do as a married couple,” he said, adding, “She was just a great part of our life.”
A Lifelong Companion to Their Family
Chewie had been with the Consuelos-Ripa family for nearly two decades, growing up alongside their three children—Michael, 27, Lola, 23, and Joaquin, 21.
For Kelly and Mark, the dog was more than just a pet; she was a steadfast presence in their household, offering comfort and companionship as their children grew up and eventually moved out on their own.
“She gave us so much,” Kelly said through tears. “As each one of our kids left for college and then moved out on their own, Chewie remained right there, our steadfast companion.”
Kelly Ripa’s Emotional Tribute
While Mark took the lead in sharing the news, Kelly struggled to hold back her emotions. Sitting quietly beside him, she became visibly teary-eyed as he spoke.
“I know you have taken it hard, so I’ll do the heavy lifting today,” Mark told her gently.
Kelly, still overcome with grief, apologized to the audience for breaking down. “I really thought I got it all out, guys.
I really thought I got it all out, and I apologize because this is not how I wanted this to go down,” she said, her voice trembling.
She went on to express gratitude for the time they had with Chewie, acknowledging how lucky they were to have had her for so long.
“We’ve been so fortunate, we’re very fortunate people. We’ve not had loss in our lives, tremendous loss like this. We still have all of our parents,” she shared.
Even while mourning, Kelly was mindful of the struggles that others face, acknowledging that their loss, while deeply personal, was not the worst thing happening in the world.
“I feel very bad crying in front of everyone when people have—there are much bigger problems in the world, and I understand that,” she admitted. “But you have to understand that this dog was so special, and she was such a good girl.”
Fans Share Their Support
Following their heartbreaking revelation, fans and fellow celebrities flooded social media with messages of condolence. Many shared their own experiences of losing a beloved pet, expressing how deeply the bond between humans and their pets can be felt.
For Kelly, Mark, and their children, Chewie was more than just a pet—she was family. And while their loss is deeply painful, they are finding solace in the years of joy and unconditional love she brought into their lives.
