Kirk Herbstreit Announces Death of Beloved Dog, Ben
ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit has shared the devastating news of the passing of his beloved 10-year-old dog, Ben.
In a Thursday Instagram post, Herbstreit revealed that his family made the difficult decision to put down the Golden retriever after they learned that the cancer Ben had battled for over one year had spread throughout his organs.
“This is really hard to write but so many of you have loved and cared about Ben that I wanted to let you know,” he wrote. “We found out today the cancer had spread throughout Bens organs and there was nothing left we could do-we had to let him go.”
Expressing his profound grief and the beautiful bond he shared with the dog, Herbstreit wrote: “I’ve had dogs my whole life but Ben was 1 on 1. He was smart-loving-gentle-patient-inquisitive-and welcoming to all.”
“Always a big smile and a soft tail wag. He and I could communicate..he and I understood each other and had each others backs. He was with me more than anyone at home and traveling with me for work. Such an easy going companion.”
Despite the grieve, Herbstreit expressed his gratitude for the time he had with Ben. “Hard day-but he will live within all of us forever,” he shared. “God please bless his majestic soul and thank you for putting him in my life for the last 10 years-a true blessing. Love you Ben.”
Herbstreit’s heartfelt post about Ben’s passing has garnered an outpouring of condolences and support from fans, friends, and colleagues. Many have expressed their sympathy for Herbstreit’s loss.
“Gameday will never be the same without you Ben. You laid your mark on millions of people,” one user shared.
“Ben was a bright spot in everybody’s lives.. if you met him, you loved him. If you watched him operate, you couldn’t help but smile.. You 2 were an amazing team of positive vibes. Thank you for letting us experience the greatness that was Ben,” another shared.
“You’re a phenomenal father to all of your kids.. watching you has inspired and taught me what all is possible with my own children and the way you treat your dogs/Ben is no different. I will miss my friend but, we all know that Ben’ll be waiting in heaven for us. Godspeed Ben. You done good.”
The heartbreaking news of Ben’s passing comes 3 days after Herbstreit had requested prayers for him, noting that his health condition took a turn for the worse after undergoing a second round of chemotherapy on October 23rd.
“Ben had a 2nd chemo injection on October 23rd and from that day has been getting worse and worse,” the TV host shared. He has lost use of his back legs-almost like they’re paralyzed. He can barely walk. He hasn’t eaten in 3 days.”
Herbstreit also revealed that he had sought additional care for Ben from a holistic vet in Pennsylvania and expressed his gratitude to everyone who had loved and cared for Ben.
The Golden Retriever was clearly more than just a pet to Herbstreit. The bond between the two was deep and meaningful. He was a loyal companion, a source of comfort, and a beloved member of the family.
In 2023, Herbstreit shared that Ben has officially become his certified emotional support animal. Herbstreit and Ben had formed a unique bond, becoming a dynamic duo in the world of sports broadcasting.
As Herbstreit traveled the country for ESPN’s “College GameDay” and other high-profile events, Ben was always by his side. The adorable pup had captured the hearts of fans, who eagerly awaited his appearances.
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