Jenna Bush Hager is opening up about a recent loss her family is dealing with, and how the mourning process has brought her and 11-year-old daughter Mila closer together.
On the Wednesday, Oct. 2 episode of Today , Hager explained that Mila's cat, Hollywood, sadly went missing over the summer, a tragic accident that she couldn't help but feel guilty about.
"I just felt like it was kind of my fault," Hager said, adding that the family had done "everything trying to find the kitty, everything you could possibly think of."
Hollywood apparently escaped Hager's home during a birthday party for one of her daughters where there were kids entering and exiting the house "with the door wide open."
Hager told Hoda Kotb that she wondered aloud to her husband, Henry Chase Hager , if the incident happened for a reason.
"I said to Henry after it happened, I said, 'Do you think this is happening because right before Mila goes into middle school and that kind of funky pre-teenage time, she and I have just bonded in a way?'" the mom-of-three said.
"I mean, for the first three nights that the cat was gone, she slept with me," Hager continued. "And we had these conversations around, you know, all of these beautiful things about life, about love, about pain, about loss. And I could be there for her, and she could be there for me."
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Hager went on to reveal that months later, her family is adopting another kitten.
"I mean, and I know some of y'all are just gonna be like, 'It's just a cat.' But what it is, is watching a child's heart hurt," she said. "And so anyway, we went on Sunday and we met a little baby kitty, which Mila is going to be adopting, so we're gonna have a new member of our household."
"And hopefully, Holly will come smell that little kitty and be like, 'Who's getting in there with my parents,' you know? And come back," Bush Hager added.
Fans in the comments expressed their sympathy, with some offering suggestions for how to find Hollywood.
"Never 'just a cat' or 'just a pet'. they’re part of our families and I hope she finds her way back HOME to you guys. Sending love!!!" wrote one person.
"Hollywood is your beloved family member. Sometimes cats in our neighborhood wander into neighbors garages and they unknowingly shut the door.. check with your neighbors 🙏💜," suggested someone else.
Next: Jenna Bush Hager Recaps 'Beautifully Sweet' Summer With Family in 'Wonderful' Video
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