Lizzo, the Grammy-winning singer and rapper, is mourning the loss of her beloved dog, Pooka, who passed away on Christmas Eve. The star shared the devastating news on Instagram, posting a series of photos and videos of her furry friend, along with a heartfelt message.
A Special Bond
Lizzo adopted Pooka, a black and white Shih Tzu, in 2018, after falling in love with him at a pet adoption event. She named him after the mythical creature from Irish folklore, which can change its shape and appearance. Lizzo often referred to Pooka as her “son” and “best friend”, and credited him for helping her cope with depression, anxiety, and loneliness.
Pooka was a constant companion for Lizzo, accompanying her on tours, photoshoots, interviews, and red-carpet events. He also appeared in some of her music videos, such as “Juice” and “Good as Hell”. Lizzo frequently posted adorable snaps and clips of Pooka on her social media accounts, showing off his playful personality and cute outfits. Pooka had his own Instagram account, @pookalizzo, which had over 100,000 followers.
A Sudden Tragedy
According to Lizzo, Pooka was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer in November, which spread rapidly throughout his body. She said that she tried everything to save him, including surgery, chemotherapy, and holistic treatments, but nothing worked. She said that Pooka was in pain and suffering and that she had to make the difficult decision to euthanize him on December 24.
Lizzo said that she was with Pooka until his last breath, holding him in her arms and singing to him. She said that she felt his soul leave his body, and that it was the hardest thing she ever had to do. She said that she was heartbroken and devastated and that she felt like she lost a part of herself.
Pooka Death and Obituary
Lizzopaid tribute to Pooka on her Instagram post, writing:
“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you, Pooka. You were more than a dog to me. You were my baby, my angel, my soulmate. You gave me so much joy, love, and comfort. You made me laugh when I was sad, you cuddled with me when I was lonely, you cheered me up when I was down. You were the best thing that ever happened to me. You were my everything.”
She continued:
“I’m so grateful for the time we had together, even though it was too short. You taught me so much about life, about myself, about unconditional love. You were a blessing, a miracle, a gift. You were a legend, a star, a hero. You were Pooka, and there will never be another like you.”
She concluded:
“I love you more than words can say, Pooka. I miss you more than you can imagine, Pooka. I hope you’re in a better place, Pooka. I hope you’re running free, playing fetch, eating treats, and wearing your favorite sweater. I hope you’re watching over me, Pooka. I hope you’re proud of me, Pooka. I hope you know how much I love you, Pooka. Rest in peace, my sweet Pooka. You will always be in my heart, my Pooka.”
An Outpouring of Support
Lizzo’s post received over 5 million likes and 100,000 comments, as fans, friends, and fellow celebrities expressed their condolences and support. Some of the celebrities who commented include Ariana Grande, Cardi B, Jennifer Lopez, Dua Lipa, John Legend, and Oprah Winfrey. They all praised Lizzo for her courage, strength, and grace, and shared their own stories of losing a pet. They also complimented Pooka for his cuteness, charm, and charisma, and said that he was lucky to have Lizzo as his mom.
Lizzo thanked everyone for their kind words and messages and said that she felt the love and compassion from her fans. She said that she was overwhelmed by the response and that it helped her cope with her grief. She said that she was taking some time off to heal and reflect and that she hoped to return to the music scene soon. She said that she dedicated her next album to Pooka, and that she hoped to honor his memory and legacy.
A Message to Pet Owners
Lizzo also used her platform to raise awareness and educate her followers about pet cancer, which is the leading cause of death for dogs and cats. She said that she was shocked and saddened by how common and deadly it was and that she wished she had known more about it sooner. She said that she wanted to share her experience and knowledge with other pet owners and encourage them to take preventive measures and seek early diagnosis and treatment.
Lizzo urged her fans to check their pets regularly for any signs or symptoms of cancer, such as lumps, bumps, sores, weight loss, appetite loss, lethargy, difficulty breathing, or abnormal behavior. She also advised them to consult their veterinarians and get their pets screened and tested for any potential cancers. She said that early detection and intervention could make a huge difference in the outcome and survival of their pets.
She also recommended her fans support and donate to various organizations and foundations that are dedicated to fighting pet cancer, such as the Animal Cancer Foundation, the National Canine Cancer Foundation, and the Morris Animal Foundation. She said that these groups are doing amazing work in researching, developing, and providing new and better treatments and cures for pet cancer. She said that she hoped that one day, pet cancer would be eradicated and that no pet or pet owner would have to go through what she and Pooka did.
A Final Farewell
Lizzo ended her post with a final farewell to Pooka, saying:
“Goodbye, my Pooka. You were my sunshine, my moonlight, my starlight. You were my everything, and I will never forget you. You will always be with me, in my mind, in my heart, in my soul. You will always be my Pooka, and I will always be your Lizzo. I love you, Pooka. Forever and always, Pooka.”
She also shared a video montage of some of her favorite moments with Pooka, set to her song “Cuz I Love You”. The video showed Pooka’s journey from a puppy to a full-grown dog and captured his fun-loving, adventurous, and affectionate spirit. The video ended with a picture of Pooka’s paw print, along with the words “In Loving Memory of Pooka”.
Lizzo’s fans were moved by her post and her video and said that they were in tears watching it. They said that they felt her pain and her love, and that they admired her for being so brave and honest. They said that they hoped that she would find peace and happiness and that they looked forward to hearing her new music. They said that they loved her and Pooka and that they would always support them. They said that Pooka was a special dog and that he would always be remembered.
