Poh Ling Yeow reveals heartbreaking loss
Warning: This article contains content which some readers may find distressing.
Celebrity chef Poh Ling Yeow has shared an update that no pet owner ever wants to face: her Scottish terrier, Rhino, has passed away.
“My li’l Rhinoceros is gone,” she wrote on Instagram - where Rhino and his brother, Tim, were frequent feature stars - alongside two pictures of her beloved dog. In the first, Poh was holding her furry friend’s paw, and the second showed Rhino’s grave - complete with blanket, ribbons, and scattered flowers.
The news came just months after Rhino was diagnosed with sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS). According to Melbourne Eye Vet, SARDS is “a retinal disorder of unknown cause that results in an acute onset of permanent blindness in adult dogs. Affected dogs are typically middle aged to older, and all breeds can be affected.”
At the time, Poh had opened up about their “new normal”, explaining how Rhino had been diagnosed after “many weeks of peculiar behaviour”, and that he was “90% blind with no cure”. She spoke of the changes to their lives, before noting that “we are determined to be always moving forward and remaining grateful for the new closeness we have in the absence of sight.”
She went on to ask her followers to share their ‘silver’ lining stories, after sharing her belief that “profoundly good things” cannot happen unless following a bad one.
And it was those same supporters who raced to offer her comfort and well wishes with her heartbreaking new update, each sharing their love and sympathies in her time of loss.
“Oh Poh. I’m so incredibly sorry. But what a special life you gave him,” wrote vet and TV host Chris Brown.
“So sorry Poh,” author and baker Katherine Sabbath said. “He was larger than life itself & was blessed to have you as his life partner & friend xoxo”.
“I’m so incredibly sorry for your loss. The greatest injustice of the world is that dogs live such short lives,” one heartbroken fan shared.
“Oh Poh, I know how heartbroken you are. Sending you all my love,” fellow chef Julie Goodwin wrote.
“Sending you and Tim so much love,” comedian Cal Wilson shared, “and sending celestial pats to your dear Rhino Xxx”.
“So much love to you and the family Poh,” Masterchef contestant Tommy Phan said, before noting that “it’s a hard loss and you’ll miss him every day but you’ll also remember all the good times too”.
“Dearest Poh, I'm so, so sorry to read this. Rhino was such a dear little soul, and I know you cherished him,” another supporter wrote, going on to advise that she “go gently, lovely, it's a huge loss.”
Images: Instagram