For many pet lovers, losing a furry friend can feel like losing a member of the family. That’s exactly how it felt for Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, who said goodbye to their 17-year-old dog, Chewie, earlier this year. But just when they thought the chapter had closed, they received an unexpected gift.
During a special National Pet Day episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, the couple received a surprise that moved them to tears. It wasn’t a headline moment or a flashy announcement, it was an act of kindness from a friend who understood their loss.
Bryce Dallas Howard gave the couple a special painting of Chewie
Actress Bryce Dallas Howard was a guest on the show that Friday, April 11. But before she left the studio, she handed Kelly and Mark a special painting she had made of Chewie. The portrait, small and sweet, perfectly captured the Shih Tzu’s face and charisma.
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Kelly, 54, held up the artwork for viewers to admire and smiled. “If you knew Chewie, and a lot of you did, this is Chewie,” she said. Howard, according to Ripa, had really captured Chewie’s essence. Her husband Mark, also 54, agreed and called the painting “great.” The couple shared that they plan to hang it in their dressing room.
Fans reacted positively to the thoughtful gift
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Chewie, who passed away in February, had been part of the Ripa-Consuelos family for nearly two decades. He had been there through their kids growing up, career changes, and countless TV appearances. So for the couple, the gift was more than just a picture; it was a reminder of love and loyalty.
Fans of the show also felt the emotion. After the segment aired, viewers flooded the show’s Instagram page with warm comments. “So thoughtful,” one person wrote. “This will always make you smile when you walk by it,” another added.
