Kelly Ripa Breaks Down in Tears on ‘Live’ Over Aging Dog Chewie’s Declining Health

Kelly Ripa became emotional on Live With Kelly and Mark as she and her husband, Mark Consuelos, reflected on the deteriorating health of their beloved 17-year-old dog, Chewie.

With Chewie’s 18th birthday approaching in May, Ripa paused Friday’s episode for a heartfelt discussion about making difficult end-of-life decisions for senior pets. The conversation unfolded during a segment about pet care, where producer Michael Gelman acknowledged the tough choices involved.

“Some people say, ‘You’ll know when the time is right,’ but others believe there’s never really a perfect time. You just have to trust your instincts and hope for the best,” Ripa said, as she fought back tears. Sensing her emotions, Consuelos gently stepped in to keep the show moving.

Despite his efforts, Ripa continued, expressing how deeply she cherished Chewie. “She came into our lives when we had three young kids. I always called her my fourth child, but I still treated her like a dog. Now I wonder, was I attentive enough to her as a puppy while I was raising my children?” she reflected. “She’s been my constant companion, and now it’s just the two of us in the house, looking at each other.”

Ripa acknowledged that there are bigger issues in the world but admitted, “I’m incredibly emotional because I love this dog so much.”

She also shared that she grew even closer to Chewie after her children left home. “Even after all these years, my time with her still feels too short,” she said before moving on to the next segment.

Earlier in the week, Ripa had revealed that Chewie recently slipped and fell after an accident in the house, highlighting the dog’s slowing pace in her final stage of life.

In addition to Chewie, Ripa and Consuelos also have a four-year-old dog, Lena, whom they frequently talk about on their show.

Live With Kelly and Mark airs weekdays in syndication. Check your local listings for broadcast times.