Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos are mourning a difficult loss.
The couple shared the heartbreaking news that their family dog, Chewie, died Feb. 4. She was 17.
“We had a rough day yesterday. We had to say goodbye to Chewie yesterday,” Mark said of the Shih Tzu on the Feb. 5 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark. “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 stuff going down.”
The 53-year-old explained that the couple opted to have a vet come to their New York City apartment to put down Chewie using in-home humane euthanasia.
“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,” Mark went on. “I know pet owners at home can understand this. It takes a pet owner to understand this kind of loss. It’s grief. It really is grief.”
The Riverdale alum—who also shares 4-year-old dog Lena and kids Michael Consuelos, 27, Lola Consuelos, 23, and Joaquin Consuelos, 21, with Kelly—added that he knows they “did the right thing” for their beloved pup, who the family first got introduced to during an adoption segment on Live.
“If it wasn’t for this show, we shouldn’t know Chewie,” Mark shared. “She grew up with our kids.”
As he spoke, an emotional Kelly wiped away tears before she was ready to address the audience herself.
“I’m really sorry. I thought I got it all out, guys,” she said. “I really thought I got it all out, and I apologize because this is not how I wanted this to go down.”
The 54-year-old continued to reflect on how much they cherished their late dog, who she called her and Mark’s “steadfast companion” as their children got older and moved out of their family home.
“We’re filled with gratitude for this dog,” Kelly gushed. “As each one of our kids left for college and moved out on our own, Chewie remained right there.”
“We’ve been so lucky,” she continued. “We’re very fortunate people in our lives. We’ve not had loss in our lives, a tremendous loss like this. We still have all of our parents. We’re so fortunate. I feel very bad crying in front of you when people have…there are much bigger problems in the world, and I understand that. But you have to understand that this dog was so special, and she was such a great girl.”
Kelly joked that Chewie received a “presidential” farewell from a procession of family, friends and people who knew their dog, including their mailman before sharing the touching way she said her final goodbyes to her pet.
“She never let us kiss her face,” she explained. “She was very precious about her face. She was not that dog. And 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.”
“I know that she was somewhere in dog heaven, pissed off,” Kelly said with a laugh. “But I didn’t care because it was just so nice to have that.”
Keep reading for more on Kelly and Mark’s family…
Empty Nest, No Problem
For the first September in at least 20 years that she didn’t have a kid to see off to school, Kelly filled the void with a throwback from 2008.
Look Out, Behind You!
Looks like Michael’s about to get the drop on his little sister in this pic their dad shared on Lola’s 19th birthday in 2020.
Class of 2021
Joaquin is surrounded by love at his high school graduation.
Big Men on Campus
“Looks like @instasuelos just found out he won’t be @joaquinconsuelos roommate in the fall,” Kelly teased during a trip to Ann Arbor before Joaquin started at University of Michigan.
Kelly took a few days off in March 2022 to watch the Wolverines compete in the Division 1 Wrestling Championships in Detroit.
Still a freshman, Joaquin didn’t wrestle this time, but still, Kelly said on Live upon her return, “It took years off my life watching these young men.”
Generational Health
The whole family finally made it to Greece and Italy in June 2021 after the pandemic had other plans in 2020.
“Last year’s graduation trip for our oldest son and niece was delayed long enough to become a graduation trip for the family newborns as well,” Kelly shared.
Heavenly Holiday
This family pic from their Mediterranean getaway turned out so well, Kelly made it their 2021 holiday card.
A Sweet Memory
“Happy Easter from the year 2012 because Lola approved this photo,” Kelly captioned this throwback, never missing a chance to tease her perpetually appalled teen on social media.
Beautiful Girls
Mark wished the “spectacular women” in his life a happy International Women’s Day.
Apples of Her Eye
“Happy Valentine’s Day to the loves of my life!” Kelly wrote from the heart on Feb. 14, 2022.
Nice View if You Can Get It
Kelly celebrated the fruits of her labor on National Sons Day, Sept. 28, 2021.
Mommy & Son
Kelly and Mark’s eldest child, son Michael Consuelos, 24 at the time, posted this sweet throwback photo of him and his mom on her 51st birthday in 2021, writing, “Happy Birthday, Mom!! I hope you have the greatest day ever. You’re a badass and an inspiration to everyone. Also, when I call you a T. Rex, I mean it as a compliment. You should know that by now.”
History Repeating
In August 2020, Kelly Ripa shared an epic recreation of an old family photo from 2003 on Instagram. With youngest son Joaquin on her lap and older kids Michael and Lola perfectly in place, we’d say they nailed it despite the fact that, as Kelly noted, “objects may appear larger.”
Glad Grad
In May 2020, Kelly and Mark celebrated eldest son Michael’s graduation—albeit a virtual one, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic—from New York University. Marking the occasion, Kelly wrote on Instagram, “And just like that you graduated college. MJC, the joy and pride you have brought our family is indescribable. I love you with all my heart.”
All Grown Up
From kids to teenagers! “#tbt 2011 vs. 2019 Les murs sont devenus plus petits,” Kelly shared in an Instagram post that showed just how much her kids have grown.
School’s Out
“The Graduate #2019,” Kelly wrote on Instagram celebrating Lola’s final days of high school.
Star-Studded Walk
Kelly receiving her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015 was an all-hands-on-deck event.
Milestone Moments
Kelly matched her son’s gown and the flowers at Joaquin’s middle school graduation.
Selfie Time
When your family is this beautiful, you would likely be posing for selfies more often than not too.
Joy to the World
Holidays always bring family together and this famous crew is no exception.
Family Fun Day
Back in 2003, Kelly and husband Mark Consuelos celebrated the opening night for A Year With Frog and Toad at Maxine’s in New York City.
Red Carpet Pros
Back in 2001, Mark and Kelly took their son to the ATLANTIS The Lost Empire premiere at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City.
Snow Day
Whether they are traveling somewhere hot and tropical or cool and snowy, this family always knows how to have a good time.
