'Terrible, sad, and unfair timing': 'Modern Family' star Nolan Gould pays touching tribute after death of pet dogs Maple and Ender
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Nolan Gould is in despair following the tragic death of his two pet dogs last week. The 'Modern Family' star shared the heartwrenching news to the public via his Instagram handle by posting adorable pictures of his beloved pet dogs Maple and Ender as they rested in side-by-side dog beds. Nolan, who played the role of Luke Dunphy in the popular family sitcom, noted that his dogs' deaths were unrelated.
"It’s with a heavy heart I share the news that Maple and Ender both passed this week," he wrote in the caption. "Their respective passings were unrelated, but a case of terrible, sad, and unfair timing." He added, "I can say though that they each went peacefully, and were surrounded by so much love and care and all of the snacks." He also extended gratitude to everyone who adored his pets.
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'It was really impossible not to love them'
Nolan admitted that he was not sure about sharing his personal grief with his followers, but ultimately decided that it would be beneficial for the "many" individuals who had grown attached to Maple and Ender. "My dogs meant a lot to so many people and they meant the world to me. My pups got to meet hundreds of people throughout the years, and they made so many peoples’ days brighter. It was really impossible not to love them," he continued in the caption.
The actor extended his gratitude to all the visitors and carers that who came to Maple and Ender while he was away from them because of his hectic work schedule. "I couldn’t have done it without you, especially as they grew older and needed more help," he penned. He also shared that he is scared he will never move on from the loss of his pets. "I get scared thinking about what my life looks like without them, but I remind myself nothing in life is guaranteed and I’m grateful for what I do have and the time I’ve gotten to spend with some incredible souls, human or otherwise," he added. As a final note, he asked friends to share any photos of the dogs they might have.
More adorable videos
He also uploaded brief videos of the dogs in addition to the picture of the dogs in their bed, which showed Ender on the left and Maple on the right. One video featured Maple strutting outside and sticking her head up to his hand for some pets. It was shot using a filter to make it appear as though it was shot on 8mm film.
Another sweet video showed Ender gazing at clumps of snow that Nolan had thrown at the glass as they melted and descended to the ground. In the next picture, Maple looked like she could not have been happier in a cute photo of her lying on her side, eyes and mouth wide open and tongue hanging out. In the next video, when Nolan scratched a spot on her chest, her leg thumped rhythmically with pleasure.
The next photo showed Maple snuggled under a blanket on her sofa. Another image of her wearing a scarf showed her head jutting out into the frigid air. In addition, Ender looked adorable lying on his side on a sofa, and he seemed ready to pounce when he saw his master holding out a long bone still covered with meat. A photo of Maple licking her snout as Nolan held out a bag of dog treats completed the bittersweet post.