On Saturday, September 5, Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton revealed that their dog of 18 years had sadly passed away.
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"It's with the heaviest hearts that we share our sweet Betty has gone to heaven," Stefani wrote on Instagram. "She made us all smile for 18 years ... we're going to miss her forever. Thank you, Betty, for all the love and joy you brought into our lives."
As part of the post, Stefani and Shelton shared a video of themselves and their children, Apollo and Kingston, playing with the family dog. The clip also showcased some of Betty's appearances on television and her cameo in the "Nobody But You" music video.
Any pet owner knows that losing them is like losing a family member. We spend years, often more than a decade, caring for and making memories with our pets. The pain Stefani and Shelton are going through is both real and relatable.
The announcement comes just weeks after Betty made a rare appearance on Stefani's social media page. The dog was with the singer when they attended a recent concert by Shelton.
"Betty could be seen hanging with Stefani in her trailer before the show, donning a handkerchief around her neck and a dog bed ready for her to nap on," PEOPLE reported.
Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton Will Miss Betty
Betty's absence will undoubtedly be felt around the Shelton/Stefani house in the weeks, months, and even years to come. A pet's presence is one that can help make a house feel like a home, even when there are already children living in it.
In 2020, Shelton discussed Betty's jealous side, which is something the couple will likely begin to look back on fondly.
"She gets jealous," Shelton admitted. "She's Gwen's dog now, and so that's where the jealousy comes in."
Stefani then noted that Betty "loves both of her parents very much."
Unfortunately for Shelton and Stefani, they won't have much time to grieve. On top of being parents, they also have another dog called Ginger. The couple also owns a cat named Corn Shelton, whom they previously adopted.
So, while Betty's absence will undoubtedly be felt, having time to grieve isn't a luxury Shelton or Stefani can look forward to.
