Jenna Bush Hager recently opened up about the emotional journey her family, particularly her 11-year-old daughter Mila, experienced after their beloved cat, Hollywood, went missing. During a conversation with co-host Hoda Kotb on the Today Show on October 2, Jenna shared that Hollywood, affectionately called Holly, escaped during a kids’ birthday party hosted at their home over the summer.

A Heartbreaking Loss

Jenna confessed that she felt responsible for the cat slipping out the front door, leading to weeks of heartache for Mila. “It was kind of my fault,” Jenna admitted, explaining how deeply her daughter had bonded with Holly. “(Mila) loved that cat … She walked around cradling that cat,” Jenna said, describing the close connection Mila had with her pet.

The loss took a toll on Mila, who spent three nights sleeping in her mother’s bed, seeking comfort. Jenna shared that these nights turned into “beautiful” moments where they spoke about life, love, pain, and loss. The heartbreaking experience, while challenging, strengthened the bond between mother and daughter as they processed their emotions together.

Efforts to Find Hollywood

Jenna and her husband, Harry Hager, made exhaustive efforts to search for Hollywood in the weeks following the cat’s disappearance. “We’ve done everything” to try and locate the lost pet, Jenna revealed. However, despite their best efforts, Hollywood remained missing, leaving the family to come to terms with the fact that Holly might not return. In the midst of this, Jenna found herself struggling not just with her grief but with Mila’s pain as well. Hoda recalled how Jenna often came to work in tears, still reeling from the loss. “Sometimes right before we went on (air), you were crying, not just about the loss of your cat, but about Mila,” Hoda said. Jenna explained that Mila, now using a computer at school, would send her heartfelt messages, including one that read, “Mommy, I miss her so much.”

A New Beginning

After months of mourning, the family is preparing to welcome a new furry companion. On October 2, Jenna joyfully announced that they were adopting a new kitten. “On Sunday we went and met a baby kitty, which Mila is going to be adopting,” she said, adding that the whole family is looking forward to bringing the kitten home. The anticipation has been a bright spot for Mila, who is eagerly counting down the days until the adoption is finalized.

The family hopes that their missing cat, Hollywood, will return someday and meet the newest member of their household. “Hopefully Holly will come to smell that little kitty and be like, ‘Who’s getting in there with my parents!?’” Jenna joked. Earlier this year, Mila’s younger sister, Poppy, adopted a kitten named Mango, who has already bonded with Hollywood. Jenna shared a hopeful sentiment on Instagram, writing, “Fingers crossed that Mango embraces his new furry friend!”

Moving Forward with Hope

Though the loss of Hollywood was deeply painful, the arrival of a new kitten has brought excitement and hope to the family, especially for Mila. As they continue to heal, they remain optimistic about Hollywood’s return while embracing the joy their new pet will bring.