In an emotional social media post, Gashumba said Michelle, who had been part of his family since 2012, was fatally hit at about 6:15am by his driver.
"If you've lived with dogs, you know the pain that I'm going through," Gashumba wrote. "Around 6:15 this morning, my reckless driver knocked my loyal, trusted friend called Michelle in our compound."
He said Michelle came into his life after he and daughter Sheila bought her from a dog show in Lugogo in 2012, adding that although she was initially Sheila's dog, she became one of his closest companions.
Gashumba recalled periods when the dog remained by his side during difficult times, including a four-month stretch when the two lived alone in his house.
"There were times when everybody abandoned me, and Michelle was there for me," he wrote.
He described Michelle as exceptionally intelligent, saying she had developed the unusual habit of knocking on doors whenever she wanted to enter his bedroom upstairs or join the family in the dining room.
"I even told people on my radio show that I have a dog that knocks, and they thought I was lying. That was Michelle," he said.
One of his most treasured memories came after the death of his father on September 1, 2019.
According to Gashumba, Michelle sensed his grief and refused to leave his side.
"The day I lost my father... Michelle came and sat near me in the living room. Because I could not stand the pain of losing my father, I went to my bedroom. Michelle followed me to my bedroom and deliberately refused to leave my side. That's the kind of friend I have lost," he wrote.
He also recounted Michelle's battle with uterine cancer during the COVID-19 period in 2021. The dog underwent surgery at Mutungo Veterinary Clinic, where veterinarians removed her uterus after diagnosing the disease.
Gashumba said he visited Michelle every day during her six-day stay at the clinic until she recovered.
"Ever since, we lived a good life together. That's how strong Michelle was."
He said Michelle had since been laid to rest.
"Today, we have put Michelle to rest. I have lost a loyal and trusted friend."
Reflecting on the bond between humans and dogs, Gashumba said genuine loyalty has become increasingly rare.
"Those of you who have dogs know the pain I'm going through. In the world we live in today, you can hardly have a loyal friend. A dog will never betray its master."
For many dog owners, Gashumba's tribute captures a grief that is often underestimated. Animal behaviour experts say dogs form deep emotional bonds with their owners through years of companionship, routine and affection, making their loss comparable to losing a close family member.
The pain can be even more profound when a pet dies suddenly or in circumstances that could have been prevented, leaving owners grappling not only with grief but also with feelings of shock, guilt or anger.
For those who have shared their lives with a faithful dog, the loss of a lifelong companion is more than the death of a pet—it is the loss of a family member, a confidant and a source of unconditional love.
Michelle's story has resonated with many pet lovers who understand that the bond between a person and "man's best friend" often lasts a lifetime, and the heartbreak of saying goodbye can be just as enduring.