Jesse Tyler Ferguson Reveals He Had to Put Down His Dog Leaf Just Before Recording His Latest Podcast Episode
Jesse Tyler Ferguson Reveals He Had to Put Down His Dog Leaf Just Before Recording His Latest Podcast Episode
Gina KalsiWed, April 1, 2026 at 10:38 AM UTC
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Jesse Tyler Ferguson with LeafCredit: Jesse Tyler Ferguson/Facebook -
Jesse Tyler Ferguson bonded with Jenna Dewan over losing their beloved furry pets on the latest episode of his podcast, Dinner's On Me
The actor reflected on being grateful for the chance to say goodbye to his dog Leaf and revealed that he had to put him down shortly before recording the episode
Ferguson also opened up about making the decision to tell his oldest son about Leaf dying
Jesse Tyler Ferguson has opened up about losing his 15-year-old dog, Leaf.
The actor, 50, spoke about the death of his beloved Yorkie on the latest episode of his podcast, Dinner's On Me, with guest Jenna Dewan, which was released on Tuesday, March 31.
He revealed that right before sitting down to film the podcast, he had to put Leaf down earlier in the day.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson cuddling LeafCredit: Jesse Tyler Ferguson/Facebook
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The Modern Family star said the news "wasn't a surprise," adding, “We have thought this might be the case for a while. I'm leaving town [at] the end of the week to do a play in New York, and I was having such anxiety about being away when it might have to happen."
“And, in the last few days, he took a turn, and I was like, well, the one bright lining is that I get to be here to say goodbye. And I was really happy I could."
On Feb. 10, Ferguson wrote an emotional post on Facebook, which said, “We had to say goodbye to our sweet little prince Leaf today."
“He was the best little pup & has been with us since the very beginning — 15 incredible years together. Our first. 💔 🐶 🌈 We love you and will miss your licks, snuggles & barks, sweet guy.”
He then shared many adorable pictures of Leaf over the years, including snaps of him as a puppy, snuggling up with his husband Justin Mikita under a duvet.
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Leaf pictured on a walkCredit: Jesse Tyler Ferguson/Facebook
Ferguson and Mikita, 40, married in 2013 and have two children together, Beckett Mercer, 5 ½, and Sullivan "Sully" Louis, 3.
He said to Dewan, 45, on the podcast that he had been struggling with how to tell his two children about Leaf’s death, adding that he had even read books in preparation for the sad event.
Ferguson said, “This morning, knowing that this afternoon we were going to put Leaf down, we told Beckett, our 5 and a half year old, because [...] he lost my mom when we lost my mom a little over a year ago, so he was able to process what it means when someone is no longer here.”
Justin Mikita with LeafCredit: Facebook/Jesse Tyler Ferguson
He added: “My younger one, who’s 3, doesn’t really understand yet. But you know, we told Beckett and he was able to say goodbye and he got very emotional.”
Dewan said she understood how Ferguson felt, adding, “I have dealt with multiple versions of having to put my dog down. There’s no good way it happens.”
The Rookie star said her dog Mika died aged 18 right before the birth of her baby. She said, “I was like, oh my gosh, how am I going to do this and birth?”
Ferguson said he wasn’t sure whether to tell his oldest son about Leaf, but felt that when it comes down to dealing with death, “being truthful is the only way to go.”
Dewan said: “The hardest part is that we’re saying goodbye to someone we love.”
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
