“A sad day”: After the tragic loss of a family member to sepsis, an emotional Padraig Harrington mourns with a heartfelt message

Losing a pet is a heartbreaking experience that can leave a never-ending void in our lives. And when it's the first pet you've lost, the pain is truly unimaginable. Sadly, Padraig Harrington is suffering the pain of having to say goodbye to his faithful companion Wilson. He got Wilson in 2019 and the four-legged furry baby became Harrington's family member, a loyal friend and a constant source of comfort and joy. So one can imagine the unbearable pain Harrington is going through.

The golfer made his X to let fans know that his furry friend was no longer there. “Today is a sad day for my family and me as we lost Wilson after battling sepsis for a week,” wrote the golfer. Although it's almost impossible to put into words the love we feel for our pets, Harrington tried. “We had five great years together and will always remember the wonderful times he gave us,” Harrington wrote as a loving tribute to Wilson.

Wilson suffered from sepsis for a full week before he died. Sepsis is a condition in dogs that can occur when bacteria circulate in the body and become lodged in tissues, eventually leading to fatal infections.

Over the years, Wilson, a Bernese Mountain Dog, has built up quite a following thanks to the adorable snaps the golfer has posted on his social media. Harrington has another Bernese Mountain Dog named Setanta, who will be his god in 2023. Setanta quickly became Wilson's “new best friend.” The father-son duo loved walks, or rather: Wilson loved taking nice walks with his father.

In a video that the 2023 PGA Tour posted on Facebook, the hilarious caption read: “Nice of Wilson to walk his dad. 😉 Padraig Harrington's three major titles are nothing compared to the fame of his dog Wilson.” Wilson was truly an adorable and beautiful dog. In the video, we can see Wilson playfully trying to pull on the leash while the golfer holds it in his hands. The Irish golfer revealed that Wilson has quite a large following on X and Instagram and likes to take the lead. As Parrington put it: “He is the star of the show.”

The golfer revealed that he didn't know how much he and his family would love the dog, but once they had him, they realized that their world would soon revolve around him as they constantly wondered where he was. And that's exactly what happened with him. The story of Wilson's name is as special as he is.

Why did Padraig Harrington name his deceased dog Wilson?

Well, Harrington's love for his equipment sponsor eventually led to him naming his dog Wilson. Wilson Staff and Harrington have worked together for years, and the golf superstar liked the company so much that he named his first puppy after them. Wilson has stuck with the golfer through thick and thin ever since. He was spotted with Harrington's other dog, Setanta, at the 2023 Pro-Am at the Horizon Irish Open.

This was the first time Wilson had accompanied the golfer onto the green. Harrington was worried that his pet might not like the attention, but to his surprise, they behaved very well, enjoying all the attention and staying cool in the shade. With Wilson's arrival, Padraig's golf game got a new furry lucky charm. Wilson cheered him on from the sidelines. And even though Padraig didn't do very well, finishing in 79th place, he knew he had a loyal friend waiting for him, but that won't happen again.

As well as going out on the green with Harrington, Wilson loved going to a particular cafe in Rathfarnham and enjoying time with his owner. Wilson may no longer be with us, but those who love him will always feel his absence. Fly high over the rainbow bridge, Wilson! We hope you get lots of treats in heaven.