Kate Gosselin Mourns Sudden Loss of Beloved Dog Nanuq
Kate Gosselin is mourning the sudden and devastating loss of a family member just before Christmas.
“We experienced an unimaginable tragedy on Friday evening,” Gosselin, 50, wrote alongside a photograph of her eldest German Shepherd, Nanuq, on Instagram Thursday, December 25, revealing that her beloved canine companion passed away on December 19.
“My dearest girl, the other half of my soul, passed away swiftly in the car during our journey home for Christmas,” she added. “I am taking a pause from TikTok because I am grieving so deeply. But I know you all loved her too, so I needed to share this news.”
Sharing another image, Gosselin continued, “I will spend the rest of my life missing NuNu. Life will never be the same. I loved you more than anything. I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you.”
Kate Gosselin Dismisses Rumors She Started a GoFundMe for Her Recovery
In the caption, the Jon & Kate Plus 8 alumna added, “I am at a loss for words. One moment, she was present and healthy. The next, she was gone. Her final gift to me was when she climbed into the truck to leave, she extended her head forward to where I was seated in the passenger seat and licked my left cheek, twice.”
Gosselin noted that she is “attempting to replace the painful memories and things I can never forget with that memory.”
“My sweet girl kissing me, saying ‘thank you for taking me on a long goodbye,’ which was her favorite expression in the world,” Gosselin concluded. “Then, just over 3 hours later, she was gone. I will never understand it. When I am ready, I’ll discuss the details. For now, I cannot.”
In addition to the tribute, Gosselin also shared on TikTok how she spent Christmas with her other dog, Meika.
“Despite missing Nuq, we had to make this day special for Meika’s first Christmas,” she wrote over a photo of the German Shepherd pup sitting by a Christmas tree surrounded by presents.
“She had a wonderful day and received many presents from everyone. She is helping to mend the children’s hearts,” Gosselin added over another snapshot. (The former reality television star shares twins Mady and Cara, 25, and sextuplets Aaden, Alexis, Collin, Joel, Leah and Hannah, 21, with ex-husband Jon Gosselin.)
“It was a very difficult day, filled with MANY tears,” Kate wrote in the caption. “I simply miss my girl SO much. It feels like a part of me is missing. However, we managed to pull it together so Meika would have a fun, toy-filled first Christmas. Her affectionate nature is helping to heal hearts around here. And I’m grateful for that. She is also missing Nuq and experiences moments of sadness, but her human brothers and sister are supporting her through that.”
This loss comes after a particularly challenging year for Kate, as she was hospitalized in September for a “life-altering injury” she sustained after Meika accidentally ran into her leg during a game of fetch. Kate fractured her tibial plateau, requiring surgery, followed by 82 days of rest and rehabilitation.
Why Kate Gosselin Is Celebrating Thanksgiving With Boyfriend Steve Instead of Her Children
Kate reached a significant milestone in her recovery journey on December 20.
“It’s walking day!” she said in a TikTok video. “I’m on my way to my appointment now. It’s the day that I can walk; it finally arrived. I’m so excited I can barely contain myself.”
Kate later added, “I have to begin at 25 percent, then 50 percent, then 75 percent, 100 percent. So you won’t see me walking normally right away, but I’m excited.”
In the comments section of her latest TikTok post, a fan observed that Nunuq “waited until you were able to walk again before she left you. She wanted to see you healed ❤️.”
Kate replied, “I thought of that. It’s so precious and heartbreaking.”
