Vanessa Lachey, star of NCIS: Hawai’i, is mourning the loss of her beloved family dog, Wookie. Vanessa took to social media to share the sad news, posting a touching tribute alongside a photo of Wookie, who passed away at the age of 15 earlier this month. Her heartfelt message read: “My Beautiful Wookie. You made me a Mama and us a family. You taught me more than you will ever know. The last 15 years have been the best years of my life, a HUGE part of that is because of you. Everyone Loved you, Mr. Wookerson. Now all the doggies in Heaven get to have you. We Love You & will miss you.”
The announcement garnered an outpouring of support from Vanessa’s followers and celebrity friends. Jason Antoon, her co-star on the new NCIS spin-off, commented, “Oh noooo! So sorry to hear about Wookie. Sending love.” Carrie Ann Inaba, co-host of The Talk, added, “I’m so sorry…. So much love to you all… he will be surrounded by so much love in Doggie Heaven.” Will Yun Lee, Vanessa’s former co-star from Hawaii Five-0, shared his own memories, writing, “Broken hearted. Loved that little boy since he was a puppy and now him and Rusty are chasing that squeaky ball like greyhounds in the clouds while Teddy waits to sit on their ball.”
Vanessa and her husband, singer Nick Lachey, who have been married for a decade, reside in Hawaii. They tied the knot on July 15, 2011, at Sir Richard Branson’s private Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands, a year after their engagement. The couple are parents to three children: Camden, eight; Brooklyn, six; and Phoenix, four.
During a 2018 appearance on the Today show, Vanessa described Wookie as her “firstborn.” She shared, “He’s the oldest guy, and honestly, a lot of times, he’s the most high maintenance. He’s picky with his food. He’s the loudest. He needs the most attention. But, hey, that’s what comes with being the oldest.” Vanessa also noted, “Every time we come home, he’s still excited to see us, and it’s a beautiful thing to watch and to be a part of. You still feel loved, and he’s the best.”
