“Wheel of Fortune” supporters showed their support for sponsor Pat Sajak after he disclosed that his longtime family , Stella, died recently.
The host, who’s seldom shy about sharing personal news with fans of the cherished and long-running match series, concluded Monday’s broadcast by showing his family had to say”goodbye” to their pet after 12 decades together.
As the credits rolled, Sajak, as he always does, engaged in some banter with co-host Vanna White, showing that they decided to name their respective pets Stella.
“You and I’ve got a lot of items in common,” Sajak started. “We have two children, we have the identical unusual blood type, but the strangest of all, we individually, without anyone knowing it, we both named our pets the same name”
Sajak then noted that White has a cat named Stella, while he”had” a dog named that way.
“It was a very sad time for the Sajak loved ones,” he added. “But we desired to Stella by showing you happier days.”
With that, the host shared with a set of photos of the dog. One portrayed her playing with him in the snow beside a ceramic dalmatian and the other was a portrait of Sajak sitting in a seat with Stella by his side.
“We’re going to miss her, she was a fantastic buddy,” the bunch concluded.
It didn’t take long for fans to notice the heartbreaking on-air moment and take to Twitter to share their thoughts and condolences.
“So sad to hear about the departure of Pat’s dog Stella. My condolences are with you, Pat!
“Um woah my dog just passed away Friday & tonight Pat’s talking about his recently deceased puppy also? (Lately as of whatever this episode was recorded.) Freaky! #WheelOfFortune,” just another composed .
“Pat Sajak paying tribute to his deceased dog in the end of Wheel of Fortune before The Bachelorette begins off to a rough start #BachelorNation,” a person who caught the end of the series wrote.
This is the 2nd personal message that the 74-year-old TV host has shared on the show in the last week. Days ago, Sajak took some time from the series to congratulate his son, Patrick, on graduating from medical school.
“Well he has made it through medical school, and he is now formally Dr. Sajak, and we’re all delighted,” the sponsor declared at the moment. “The only troubling part is that he insists that I call him’Dr. Sajak.'”