This Is Us Star Mandy Moore Pens Stunning Tribute After Losing Her Dog

As mother to The Big Three on This Is Us, Mandy Moore makes Rebecca Pearson seem like the ultimate mother we all wish we had had growing up. In real life, Moore is awaiting the birth of her first child but she has already shown to be a tremendous mom to her pups. Sadly, she revealed recently that she suffered a tremendous loss of one of them — and it’s a heartache so many of us know and dread.

Mandy Moore Shares Her Pain

“Last night, very unexpectedly, we lost our Joni girl,” revealed the singer/actress Tuesday, alongside several pictures of her stunning fur baby on Instagram. “Yes, she was almost 13. Yes, she had pretty major surgery a week ago to remove a mass on her liver but she was recovering really well.

“Until last night. I knew something was amiss when she, lifelong food-obsessed, didn’t finish her dinner and couldn’t get comfortable in bed (despite being on pain meds). My mama intuition told me to bring her in and I’m glad we did.”

Sharing what happened sent the star back in time, as she remembered how she and Joni were brought together. “I saw her puppy mug online way back in early 2008 and drove down to San Diego to meet her at @thebarkinglotrescue and was instantly smitten. I’ll never forget the drive home, telling her that it was just us against the world now.
To know her, was to love her. She never met a stranger. She was waaaaay more human (or muppet) than dog.

“She loved ANYTHING she could eat, even if sometimes it was gross (cat poop 🤢). Seriously, she was a vacuum. She loved her brother Jackson. She loved laying in the sun to catch some zzzzs. She adored @taylordawesgoldsmith. She tolerated her cat brother and sisters. She loved to give very stinky kisses. And I have no doubt she knew what an absolutely indispensable part of our lives and cherished soul she was… right until the end.”

Sadly, the end did come and the grieving process has been rough for Moore. “My heart is utterly shattered. She was my first love and best friend. Through every twist and turn of life of this past decade and change, she was right there. There’s a deep chasm of emptiness that will never be filled but I am so grateful for her sweet nature and the endless connection, compassion, responsibility, patience, and devotion that the love of a pet can bring into your orbit.

“When mulling over the details of her surgery last week, my husband sorta joked that everything would have to be run by me because I’d had Joni for 13 years and only had him for 5. He’s right. She was the boss and a total mama’s girl. I’m so sad she won’t get the chance to meet her human brother soon but maybe she wasn’t ready to share 😉. Or be a suction cup right by my side every night. I will love and miss you forever, my Joni. Thank you for beyond a lifetime of love.”

This Is Us returns on January 5, 2021, and airs Tuesdays on NBC. Check your local listings for airtimes.