Kelly Ripa breaks down in tears on Live TV while revealing the death of her dog Chewie

Kelly Ripa, the beloved TV host, was overcome with emotion during a recent episode of Live with Kelly and Mark as she and her husband, Mark Consuelos, shared the heartbreaking news of the passing of their 17-year-old dog, Chewie. The couple, who have been married for over two decades, opened up about the difficult decision to say goodbye to their cherished Shih Tzu, who had been a part of their family for years.

Kelly Ripa heartbreaking announcement on Live TV, about her dog

During the February 5 episode of their show, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos took a moment to address their audience with the sad news. Consuelos began by explaining that the previous day had been particularly tough for the couple. “We had a rough day yesterday. We had to say goodbye to Chewie yesterday,” he revealed, his voice filled with emotion. He shared that Chewie had been put down at their home in New York City, surrounded by her family.

Consuelos went on to describe the difficult circumstances that led to their decision. “Chewie had stopped eating for a couple of days and had been eating less and less for the past few weeks. She was extremely dehydrated and had some neurological issues going on,” he explained. “You think, ‘Okay, I’m doing the right thing, this is going to be not easy but…’ It’s probably one of the toughest things we’ve had to do as a married couple.”

The emotional toll of losing a pet

The couple, who are parents to three children—Michael, 27, Lola, 23, and Joaquin, 21—acknowledged the profound grief that comes with losing a pet. Consuelos expressed his belief that fellow pet owners would understand the depth of their loss. “This kind of loss, this grief… it’s something that only those who have loved a pet can truly understand,” he said.

He also emphasized that they knew they had made the right decision for Chewie, despite the pain it caused them. “But knowing that we did the right thing because it was just going to be really, really, really bad over the next few days for her,” he added. Consuelos also reflected on how Chewie had come into their lives, noting that if it weren’t for their show, they might never have met her. The couple adopted Chewie during a segment on Live with Kelly and Mark in 2020.

Kelly Ripa’s emotional apology

As Consuelos spoke, Kelly Ripa struggled to hold back her tears. At one point, she buried her head in her hands, visibly distraught. Consuelos comforted her, acknowledging how difficult the loss had been for her. “I knew she was taking this hard, so I was fine with doing the heavy lifting,” he said.

Ripa eventually composed herself and apologized to the audience for her emotional reaction. “I 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. Despite her tears, she expressed gratitude for the time her family had with Chewie. “We’ve been so lucky and fortunate to have had her in our lives,” she added.

Reflecting on cherished memories

Ripa took a moment to reflect on some of her favorite memories with Chewie, including the joy she brought to their children. She also acknowledged that while her grief was profound, she understood that there were bigger problems in the world. “I feel very bad crying in front of you when people have, there are much bigger problems in the world, and I understand that,” she said. “But you have to understand that this dog was so special, and she was such a great girl.”

A touching tribute to Chewie

Ripa also shared a touching detail about how she paid tribute to Chewie after her passing. She revealed that Chewie had always been particular about her personal space, especially when it came to her face. “She never let us kiss her face. She was very precious about her face. She was not that dog,” Ripa explained. However, after Chewie passed away, Ripa decided to give her one final gesture of love. “After she passed away last night, I kissed her 1,000 times on her face. I kissed her nose—I’d never kissed her nose before.”

Ripa joked about how Chewie might have reacted to the sudden affection. “I know that she was like somewhere in dog heaven, pissed off. But I didn’t care because it just was so nice to have that,” she said with a bittersweet smile.

Moving forward with Lena

While the loss of Chewie has left a void in their lives, Ripa and Consuelos still have their four-year-old dog, Lena, to bring them comfort. The couple has always been open about their love for their pets, and it’s clear that Chewie held a special place in their hearts.

The emotional segment on Live with Kelly and Mark resonated deeply with viewers, many of whom took to social media to share their condolences and support for the couple. Losing a pet is never easy, and Ripa and Consuelos’s raw and heartfelt tribute to Chewie served as a reminder of the unconditional love and joy that pets bring into our lives.

Conclusion

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’s emotional announcement about the passing of their beloved dog, Chewie, touched the hearts of many. Their openness about the grief and pain of losing a pet highlighted the deep bond they shared with their furry family member. As they continue to mourn Chewie’s loss, they can take solace in the countless memories she left behind and the love she brought into their lives.