Carrie Ann Inaba is anticipating a year full of change. On Jan. 5, the veteran “Dancing with the Stars” judge shared an emotional post to Instagram as she celebrated her 58th birthday at home with her elderly dog, Peanut. Inaba captioned several photos of her holding the pup with, “The most precious birthday gift of all.”
“On this 58th birthday, I am filled with gratitude for this life God has given me,” Inaba shared. “The number seems higher than it should be lol, but it also comes with a feeling of hopeful anticipation for what’s to come. Because I do feel that this is going to be a very special year.”
The former Fly Girl dancer also shared that she felt grateful that her dog was with her for her birthday. “I also am feeling so much gratitude that this little Queen has chosen to celebrate my birthday with me. It’s a gift that humbles me and grounds me in the things that matter most. Little moments of peace,” she wrote. “I am feeling so much love right now. I feel it from all of you. I feel it from the universe, my friends and family, and of course my fur babies. I am in awe of the peace and warmth I feel in my soul.”
Carrie Ann Inaba Shared a Raw Post About Her Dog Just Before Her Birthday
In the past, Inaba has spoken about her aging dog’s health problems, which include heart and trachea issues. She posted a video as she poured some of her “anticipatory grief” into a painting.
“Peanut 🐾🤍🥺,” she wrote of her chihuahua pug. “It’s an honor of a lifetime. We are going to make it through this chapter. But I’m not going to lie, it’s devastating to know we are getting close. There are so many emotions. Sorrow taking the top level and dripping down on everything else making it all so heavy. Yet so rich with love.”
“I’m devastated. Exhausted. Broken-hearted. Raw. I needed a release or I would shatter,” she wrote, before explaining that art has always been her way to cope with intense emotions.
“I miss your sweet kisses,” Inaba wrote to her pup. “Your trachea and heart issues make it less comfortable for you to give me those sweet kisses that have gotten me through the most difficult moments in my life… So of course, it showed up in the art. Peanut, I love you. #grief #pets.”
Carrie Ann Inaba Rescued Peanut & Several Other Dogs and Cats
Inaba is a lifelong animal lover. She previously told People magazine that she rescued Peanut after fostering her. The same happened with Lola, a Chihuahua mix, and Buddy, a terrier. “As soon as I fostered them, I failed at the foster, and I now have three dogs!” she said in 2016.
Inaba noted that Peanut was “the ringleader” of her fur babies, which also includes several cats.
“She always seems to be thinking and concerned about everybody’s welfare,” the DWTS judge explained. “I related to that, and I wanted to take care of her so that she wouldn’t have to be always stressed about everybody.”
In an interview with Guideposts, Inaba said her pets were all wonderful. “Animals love you no matter what, and it’s the most beautiful thing in the world,” she shared. “It’s the most healing thing in the world, because life is filled with ups and downs and trials and tribulations, and when you come home to an animal, they just are always the same. They love you no matter what you do.”
