It's a sad day for "America's Got Talent" judge Howard Stern and his wife Beth Ostrosky Stern, who are mourning the loss of Bianca, their much-loved English bulldog.
Ostrosky Stern broke the news on Twitter Tuesday, exclaiming, "we lost our precious bianca today. my sweet little girl, may you rest in peace. i love you forever."
Husband Howard Stern also tweeted in Bianca’s memory, saying, "Tough day today my friends. Thanks for all the kind messages. Give your dog a hug for me tonight."
Bianca had been part of the Stern family since 2002, purchased from a rescue breeder. The dog's full name was quite a mouthful: Bianca Romijn-Stamos-O'Connell-Ostrosky-Stern. Romijn-Stamos was added to Bianca's moniker when the Stern family became close with John Stamos and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, who were married at the time. When Rebecca married Jerry O'Connell in 2007, Bianca took on the addition of that actor's as well.
There were an outpouring of tweets offering condolences to the celebrity couple including Stern’s fellow "America's Got Talent" judge Sharon Osbourne who tweeted, "So sorry to hear about Bianca. My heart is breaking for you. Love, your friend Sharon."
In 2010, Ostrosky Stern published "Oh my Dog: How to Choose, Train, Groom, Nurture, Feed and Care for Your New Best Friend," saying that it was "the guide I wish I'd had when we brought our baby girl home." In the book, she wrote that Bianca "has been very needy from the start. She follows me to the bathroom, watches me put on makeup, and when I make dinner, there's always a fifty-four-pound lump at my feet."
By all accounts, Bianca was a cherished member of the family. She would often accompany Ostrosky Stern on appearances. The dog was on "The Tyra Banks Show" before the Stern wedding and dressed up for the occasion, showing off her stuff in a bridesmaid outfit Ostrosky Stern designed for her.
But Bianca's lasting legacy may be the inspiration she gave the wife of the "King of All Media" to reach out to animals in need. Since adopting Bianca 10 years ago, Ostrosky Stern has become an official spokesperson of the North Shore Animal League America (NSALA), an organization devoted to the rescue, rehabilitation and adoption of animals in need and the promotion of awareness and reduction of animal cruelty.
Bianca is survived by her pet siblings Apple, Walter and Leon Bear, all cats who have been adopted through the NSALA's rescue program. The cause of Bianca's death was not revealed by the couple.
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