Kelly Ripa Cries with Husband Mark Consuelos on Live After Death of 17-Year-Old Dog, Chewie: ‘She Gave Us So Much’
A Heartbreaking Goodbye to a Beloved Companion
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is never easy, and for Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, the loss of their 17-year-old Shih Tzu, Chewie, was an incredibly emotional moment.
The couple revealed the sad news during an episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, where Consuelos shared that they had to make the difficult decision to put Chewie down after she stopped eating and showed signs of severe health decline.
“We had a rough day yesterday. We had to say goodbye to Chewie,” Consuelos told viewers, explaining that they arranged for a veterinarian to come to their home in New York City for humane in-home euthanasia.
Even knowing it was the kindest choice, the loss still hit hard.
A Special Bond That Started on Live
Chewie wasn’t just any dog—she had been part of the Ripa-Consuelos family for nearly two decades. In a beautiful twist of fate, Ripa first met Chewie during an adoption segment on Live, ultimately welcoming her into their home.
“If it wasn’t for this show, we wouldn’t know Chewie,” Consuelos reflected. “She grew up with our kids.”
The couple’s three children—Michael, Lola, and Joaquin—all grew up alongside Chewie, making her a steadfast presence in their household even as they went off to college and moved away.
“As each one of our kids left for college and moved out on our own, Chewie remained right there. Our steadfast companion,” Ripa shared through tears.
An Overwhelming Wave of Support
The loss of Chewie was deeply felt not just by the family, but by the entire neighborhood.
The Live hosts were overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support they received, with people stopping by their home to express their condolences.
“It was, dare I say, presidential,” Ripa joked. “People came—like the mail carrier, people from the neighborhood—just to say goodbye to Chewie. She wasn’t just our dog; she was like the neighborhood dog.”
Chewie’s impact went beyond the Consuelos household—she was adored by everyone who met her.
A Final, Loving Tribute
Through her tears, Ripa shared a touching final moment she had with Chewie after her passing.
“She never let us kiss her face—she was very precious about her face. But 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.”
With a bittersweet smile, she imagined Chewie rolling her eyes from dog heaven, annoyed but loved beyond measure.
Consuelos comforted his wife, saying, “You were a great dog mom. She adored you.”
Their other dog, Lena, a Maltese/Shih Tzu mix adopted in 2020, remains in their home, offering comfort during this painful transition.
As Consuelos reassured a grieving Ripa on Live, “We’re going to get through this. All together, we’re going to get through it.”
Watch the emotional moment from Live in the video below.
Watch Their Heartfelt Tribute Below:
