Reality television personality and entrepreneur Kristin Cavallari has shared the deeply saddening news of her family's loss, announcing the death of her cherished German Shepherd, Kona. The emotional revelation came during the Tuesday episode of her podcast, Let's Be Honest.
A Loyal Companion's Final Journey
Cavallari described the decision to put Kona to sleep as profoundly difficult. The dog was 12 years old, which she noted is a 'great' lifespan for the breed, as the average age for a German Shepherd is around 10. Kona's health had remained stable until approximately the last six months, when she began to decline, eventually losing both her eyesight and hearing.
'God, it is so hard, the physical act of putting a dog down,' the 39-year-old founder of Uncommon James recalled. She urged listeners who hadn't experienced it to understand its intensity, saying, 'I was laying there with her, and I was petting her. I'm gonna try really hard not to cry.'
Kona's Role as Protector and Friend
The story of Kona's adoption dates back to 2017. Cavallari originally brought the dog into her family when her then-husband, former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler, was playing for the Miami Dolphins. Living in Tennessee, she sought a protective presence for their three young children at home.
'Kona was immediately so sweet and loving with both Jaxon and I. And I immediately was just like, "This is my dog, man,"' Cavallari remembered. She emphasised the special bond, stating, 'This is my girl. And she was. She was always, always my dog. Kona would follow me everywhere, and she always had eyes on me.'
She spent 'months of not sleeping' until Kona, her loyal 'attack dog', instinctively took a protective position at the top of the staircase. Cavallari fondly recalled this as 'the best feeling in the entire world,' summarising Kona as 'the most bada**, amazing dog on the planet.'
Family Grief and Moving Forward
The loss has hit Cavallari's children hard. Her 11-year-old son Jaxon and 10-year-old daughter Saylor were deeply affected, but her 13-year-old son Camden was particularly devastated. Cavallari described how Camden texted her from school, saying, 'I can't be here. Can you please come get me?' Upon collecting him, she found him 'bawling, crying' in the car.
'Seeing Camden so sad, oh my god, it just wrecked me. It wrecked me,' she shared. This event marks the first significant experience of death for her children.
While Cavallari currently has two other dogs, aged three and two, she has expressed her intention to eventually adopt another German Shepherd. She plans to spread Kona's ashes in their yard first.
In related family news, Cavallari's ex-husband, Jay Cutler, has custody of their children 'every other weekend' following the end of their seven-year marriage in 2020, which was finalised in 2022. The 42-year-old retired athlete, now engaged to Samantha Robertson, recently made headlines for a plea deal after a 2024 arrest for DUI and gun possession.
Separately, Cavallari confirmed that fans should not anticipate a second season of her E! Network show, Honestly Cavallari: The Headline Tour, as she has stepped away from reality television, citing the inherent stress it brings.
