Kerry Kennedys dog was brutally mauled during a walk on the beach just hours after her mother Ethel passed away, the grieving daughter revealed in a heartbreaking Instagram post Thursday.
The 65-year-old attorney and human rights activist said she was walking her dog, Bellini, on the beach at the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts on October 10 when Bellini was brutally killed.
Out of nowhere, a neighborhood dog charged, attacked and killed Bellini, wrote Kerry. It was terrifying and violent and beyond words.
The only sense I could make of it is that Mum wanted a companion for her journey, and she received the very best in Bellini.
Kerry, the daughter of Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy, went on to suggest she has forgiven her neighbor, as she continues to deal with her grief.
Kerry Kennedy, the 65-year-old daughter of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy, revealed on Thursday that her dog, Bellini, was brutally mauled to death just hours after her mother passed away
She said she and her daughter were walking Bellini at the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts when a neighborhood dog attacked
She said the unidentified dog owner was undone by the entire episode.
He emailed me every day to express his dismay and offer help, Kerry said. He called me yesterday to say he sent his beloved dog away and we both cried on the phone together, having lost our pets.
Reflecting on the episode, I am heartbroken to have lost my beautiful companion, and I also am grateful to have a neighbor who was kind to me in the aftermath, and who, instead of taking the easy stance of defensiveness, denial and blame, took the hard decision for the greater good, she continued.
I feel sad, but I also know I am blessed.
Kerrys 96-year-old mother suffered a stroke the week before and died just hours before the dog was killed
Bellinis death came at a difficult time for Kerry, after her 96-year-old mother died from a stroke earlier that day.
Ethel was the mother of eleven children with late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, who she married in 1950. He was assassinated in 1968.
At the time of his death, she was pregnant with their youngest child, Rory, who the senator never got to meet.
Following her husbands death, Ethel founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights and worked tirelessly for world peace.
In April, Kennedy celebrated her final birthday surrounded by her family including children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Kerry attended her mothers funeral service in Hyannis Port the following Monday and was accompanied by her ex-husband Andrew Cuomo along with their three daughters, Mariah, Michaela and Cara
Kerry attended her mothers funeral service in Hyannis Port the following Monday and was accompanied by her ex-husband Andrew Cuomo along with their three daughters, Mariah, Michaela and Cara.
They were joined by Max Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, Anthony Shriver, former Congressmen Joe Kennedy II and Joe Kennedy III among others.
Only close friends and family were invited to the private ceremony, with many showing up in military dress to pay their respects.
Members of the family were escorted to the compound by Barnstable Police as well as a security detail, with officers standing guard at the entrance to the church and surrounding area.
Following the service a private wake was held close to the family compound at the exclusive Hyannisport Club.