Former Love Island star Faye Winter shared a devastating Instagram post that all pet owners can relate to.
The reality star took to Instagram today to share the heartbreaking news that her beloved Golden Retriever has died just four months after Faye, 28, lost her near-lifelong companion, Reggie, who was also a Golden Labrador. The animal lover and welfare advocate has just one dog left in her dog clan: Bonnie.
Sharing the tear-jerking news with her 1.1 million followers, the star said saying goodbye to her pooch was something she wasn't prepared to do. "My sweet little Missy, no one could have prepared me to say goodbye to you. I think we all hope this day will never come, having three puppies the same age will forever be the most magical gift we ever had as a family and one we will cherish for the rest of our lives."
Faye continued to say Missy would "forever" be her angel after 15 "amazing" years together, and she reflected on how much of a "privilege" those times were with each other. "Every single day was a privilege and honour, but selfishly, it would never have been enough. Thank you for your unquestionable loyalty and love you have been the best. I believe everything happens for a reason and coming home for the last four months now seems like the biggest blessing to have spent every day with you until we meet again my little love," she said.
Image:
faye__winter /instagram)Signing off the post, the reality star turned influencer thanked Vets for Pets Newton Abbot for helping her through the upsetting loss and being "by our side every single time" she and her family needed them. Missy's death struck a chord with fans, who were quick to take to the comment section to share Faye's heartbreak.
One wrote: "I'm so very very sorry sweetie. She's beautiful & she's with you always through life. Sending you all massive hugs & love & have fun beautiful Missy until the day you will bounce into your lovely families arms forever." Another fan said it is the "hardest pain" losing a pet and admitted the "heartbreak is the worst" after they too lost their furry companion just weeks ago.
It's no secret that Faye is an avid animal lover and worked as a volunteer to help train guide dogs before she found fame in 2017. Since appearing on Love Island, where her fanbase grew rapidly, the star has gone on to continue her mission of supporting animals and has worked with several animal welfare charities, including PETA, for their Faux Bear Fur campaign and in 2022, she was a judge for
Discovery Dog's UK
event at The Kennel Club UK.
Speaking to Women's Health in 2023, she said: "Even through my darkest days, caring for a Guide Dog meant that I had someone. I never ever felt alone." She explained that after moving out of her family home, she struggled not having her dogs with her as that was all she had known growing up, and upon seeing a billboard looking for Guide Dog training volunteers, she knew she had to apply.
"I would drop them in to the training centre before I went to work and I would pick them up on the way home. I'd have them all weekend, and that time was really precious because I could go and do what I was so used to doing - going on walks and feeling confident and comfortable." She added: "Volunteering for Guide Dogs has never taken anything from me, it's always just given me so much."
Follow Mirror Celebs on Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .
English (US) ·