Andy Cohen’s Reunion With Beloved Rescue Dog Has Fans Weeping
Andy Cohen celebrated a sweet reunion earlier this week, though not everyone found the moment as touching as he did.
The television personality shared photos from the moment on Instagram yesterday, June 14, which showed him greeting a senior beagle. In the first, his hands rested on the pup's neck as they appeared to smile at each other, while the second found him ducking his head down to snuggle against the dog's head.
The pup's name is Wacha. According to an inactive Instagram account, Cohen rescued him from a kill shelter in West Virginia and advocates for the "Adopt Don't Shop" movement.
Unfortunately, Cohen rehomed Wacha in early 2020, after nearly seven years together. The father of two welcomed his first child, Benjamin Allen Cohen, via surrogate in February 2019, and it seems that Wacha, who had a history of random signs of aggression, couldn't adjust to the new addition.
On May 29, 2020, Cohen shared the news, after putting it off "as long as [he] could."
He explained, "After an incident a few months ago, numerous professionals led me to the conclusion that my home is simply not a good place for him. Keeping him here could be catastrophic for Ben and worse for Wacha." He went on to reveal that the people who watched the pup whenever Cohen went out of town had taken him in permanently. "We still see each other, but a piece of my heart is gone."
The newest photoset of the two was captioned, "Saw an old friend yesterday. It was heaven ??."
Fans were divided in the comments, with some praising him for putting Wacha first and others criticizing him for giving up on him.
"I love you still make it a point to see him ??," one said, while another wrote, "This breaks my heart… I could never give my pup away."
Comments like, "Why am I sobbing omg our little Wacha," and, "Actually teared up. Little Wacha Boy. It's so good to see you with him. ??," contrasted with others that read, "My heart breaks for Wacha. He deserved so much better than to be abandoned like that. Sorry not sorry," and, "I still am really disappointed in you for giving up your first child instead of getting a trainer to help with the problem. SMH ?????♀?."
"Probably one of the hardest things Andy ever had to do in his life," someone else defended. "He had everyone's (including Wacha's) best interest at heart. Until you've walked in someone else's shoes, just zip it! Andy has nothing but a good heart. So happy to see you got to spend some time with your little buddy, Andy.??."
"As a rescuer I love seeing people make sure the animals happiness is considered instead of just dumping at a shelter or worse," another pointed out. "You truly are a compassionate human being to care for him so responsibly ????."
It's not the first controversy the Bravo host has found himself wrapped up in lately, with Real Housewives of New Jersey star Jennifer Aydin recently calling him out for being rude.