Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos shared a tender update about their elderly rescue dog Chewie on Live with Kelly and Mark on January 29, 2025. After weeks in which the 17-year-old Shih Tzu appeared lethargic, distant, and disoriented, Chewie briefly returned to familiar routines: she cleaned herself, curled up beside Ripa, cuddled, and gradually pushed her toward the edge of the bed.
Those small signs of normalcy were deeply meaningful to the family. They were also part of Chewie’s final days. Consuelos later announced that Chewie died on February 4, 2025, and the couple discussed her death on the February 5 broadcast.
Why Chewie’s ordinary behavior felt extraordinary
Ripa said Chewie had seemed unlike herself for several weeks before the January 29 conversation. The senior dog had become more lethargic, distant, and disoriented, making one unusually good night stand out all the more.
Chewie resumed the quiet habits her family knew well. She groomed herself, curled up next to Ripa, sought out a cuddle, and began moving Ripa across the bed—an old routine that had once been an ordinary part of life with the dog. In the context of Chewie’s recent decline, those familiar actions felt like a precious return of the dog they recognized.
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Consuelos also explained why even mundane moments mattered. He said that Chewie going to the bathroom could feel significant because the family understood that their time with her was limited. The emotional weight of the segment came not from a dramatic recovery, but from the value of a few recognizable behaviors during an uncertain final period.
Chewie’s condition worsened soon afterward
The January 29 update should not be read as evidence that Chewie recovered. On February 5, Consuelos said that Chewie had stopped eating for several days and had been eating progressively less for weeks. He also described her as extremely dehydrated and experiencing neurological problems.
The couple said Chewie died on February 4, 2025, at age 17. They arranged for in-home humane euthanasia at their New York City apartment. The sequence of events suggests that the affectionate night Ripa described was a brief good period within an overall decline, rather than a sustained turnaround. The reported symptoms were the family’s account; they did not publicly provide an independent veterinary diagnosis.
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A family companion through years of change
Ripa and Consuelos described Chewie as a steadfast presence in their family. She remained with them as their children grew older and left for college, making her loss part of a much larger family transition.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallRipa also recalled the people who came to say goodbye. Among them was the family’s mail carrier, creating what she described as a procession-like farewell. That detail underscored how a longtime household pet can become part of a wider community’s daily life, not only a private companion within the home.
Chewie was a rescue and was described as a Shih Tzu. Ripa and Consuelos had shared aspects of life with her publicly over the years, but the couple did not claim that the January episode revealed a particular medical condition or explain the decline through a named diagnosis.
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The difficult question behind the original discussion
The January conversation took place during a segment about caring for senior pets. Ripa became emotional while discussing the uncertainty surrounding end-of-life decisions and how difficult it can be to determine when the time is right.
That uncertainty is familiar to many people caring for an aging animal. A temporary improvement can bring comfort while also making the larger decision feel harder. Chewie’s story illustrates why one affectionate night cannot, on its own, establish that a seriously ill pet is improving. Families facing that situation should rely on a veterinarian’s assessment of pain, comfort, hydration, appetite, mobility, and quality of life rather than trying to interpret a single behavior in isolation.
Pet-loss grief is real—and support is available
The grief surrounding an anticipated loss can begin before a pet dies, and grief after the death may be intense. The ASPCA describes pet-loss grief as a normal response and recommends seeking support from trusted friends and family. The American Veterinary Medical Association also provides materials about pet loss, euthanasia, grief, and the practical and emotional aspects of end-of-life decisions.
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- SOFA BED DESIGN: This bolster dog bed is designed with 3-sided bolsters to offer additional support for your pet’s neck and head, promoting restful sleep. The surrounding sides encourage your dog to snuggle in and enjoy a comfortable night's rest.
- WATERPROOF COVER: A waterproof film is positioned between the fleece surface and the bottom fabric, ensuring the dog bed remains dry. However, the faux linen sides are not waterproof.
- EXTREME COMFORT & MULTIPLE SIZES: The sleeping surface is covered with cozy fleece, creating a soft and inviting sleeping area for your pet. Whatever the size of your dog, we have a dog bed suitable for medium, large, and extra-large breeds.
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These resources are not a diagnosis or a substitute for veterinary care. They can, however, help families think through difficult conversations and recognize that guilt, sadness, and uncertainty are common responses to losing a companion animal.
A gentle resource for families
For adults helping children process a pet’s death, a gentle book about coping with the loss of a pet may offer a way to begin an age-appropriate conversation. A book is not a replacement for personal support or professional help, and there is no indication that Ripa or Consuelos used any particular title. Families may also choose private, non-commercial ways to remember a pet, such as collecting photographs, writing down favorite stories, or creating a memory box.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.The timeline of Chewie’s final days
| Date | What was reported |
|---|---|
| January 29, 2025 | On Live with Kelly and Mark, Ripa described Chewie’s recent lethargy, distance, and disorientation, along with one unusually affectionate night when familiar routines returned. |
| February 4, 2025 | Chewie died at age 17 after the family arranged in-home humane euthanasia at their New York City apartment. |
| February 5, 2025 | Consuelos discussed Chewie’s death on the program, citing reduced eating, severe dehydration, and neurological problems. |
Chewie’s story is therefore not a current update about a dog who is still living. It is a remembrance of a final bright moment and of a family’s effort to recognize the value of ordinary companionship while preparing to say goodbye.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When did Chewie die?
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos said that Chewie died on February 4, 2025, at age 17.
What happened to Chewie before her death?
The couple said Chewie had been eating less, then stopped eating for several days. Consuelos also described severe dehydration and neurological problems. The family arranged in-home humane euthanasia in their New York City apartment.
Did Chewie recover after the positive night Ripa described?
No sustained recovery was reported. Chewie briefly resumed familiar behaviors on or before the January 29 broadcast, but she died less than a week later. The apparent improvement is best understood as a short-lived good period during an overall decline, not proof of recovery.
The Bottom Line
Chewie’s January 29 update was touching because the smallest routines—grooming, cuddling, and pushing Ripa across the bed—returned for one night after weeks of decline. The February 5 announcement made clear that the moment was temporary. Chewie died on February 4, 2025, leaving behind a family companion remembered for staying with the Consuelos-Ripa family through years of change.
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