Dancing with the Stars judge Derek Hough is dealing with heavy sorrow following the death of his beloved dog named Romie. On Sunday, October 25, the popular dancer went to social media to share the sad news about his long-time pet. Romie was fifteen years old and had been by Derek’s side through many major life changes over the years. Fans and close friends were deeply touched by the emotional tribute Derek posted to honor his furry friend. Losing a pet is never easy, especially when that pet has been a constant companion through every major turning point in life.
Key Takeaways
- Dancing with the Stars judge Derek Hough announced the death of his 15-year-old dog, Romie.
- Romie stayed strong long enough to meet Derek’s baby daughter, Everley, before passing away.
- Fellow DWTS cast members and thousands of fans sent supportive messages on social media.
Derek posted a sweet video showing Romie walking near the bushes outside his family home. He lives there with his wife, former DWTS dancer Hayley Erbert Hough, and their baby daughter Everley. In the video text, Derek wrote a simple message expressing his everlasting love for the dog. He explained that Romie first came into his life when he was single and trying to find his direction. Over the years, the dog provided constant support during both happy and challenging times.
In his emotional social media caption, Derek opened up about how much Romie meant to him every single day. He noted that the dog watched him grow up, fall in love, and become a married man. Derek also asked Romie to stay strong so he could meet baby Everley before passing away.
“And when he started to get tired, I asked him to hold on so he could meet his little sister, and he kept his promise. He held on.”
This touching detail touched many hearts online, much like when readers enjoy warm celebrity family stories, such as Catherine, Princess of Wales sharing family updates with the public.
Derek also admitted that waking up without his dog in the house feels completely strange and sad. He often catches himself looking at the spot by the bushes where Romie used to walk around.
“Waking up without him feels unreal. I keep looking at that spot where he’d usually come around the bushes, waiting, hoping. It’s strange to know he won’t come around that bend again.”
Even though the pain is hard to carry, Derek shared that the deep ache is proof of how much true love existed between them.
Before making the final post, Derek gave his followers a small update about Romie’s failing health. He posted a photo showing them resting together face to face. He mentioned that he was sleeping on the floor right next to Romie for several days. Spending those final moments together allowed Derek to think back on all the different moments they shared over fifteen full years. Watching a pet grow old is tough, but Derek made sure Romie never felt alone during his final days.
As soon as the sad news was shared online, thousands of supportive comments began filling the post. Dancing with the Stars cast members like Sasha Farber and Lindsay Arnold sent quick messages offering their love. Other famous friends and devoted fans also expressed how sorry they were to hear about the loss. In Hollywood, big news travels fast, similar to how fans react when Lucy Hale and Ian Harding’s surprise reunion makes headlines across social networks.
Despite his personal grief, Derek is expected to return to his job on television very soon. He is scheduled to take his seat at the judges’ table for Horror Movie Night on Dancing with the Stars. The live show will air on ABC and Disney+, where fans will cheer him on. Everyone hopes that returning to work and receiving support from his TV family will help comfort him during this quiet time of healing.
