Derek Hough is mourning the death of his beloved dog, Romie, after 14 years together. The Dancing with the Stars judge shared the sad news on Sunday, October 25, in an emotional Instagram post that quickly drew messages of support from fans and fellow dancers.
Hough, 41, posted a video of Romie walking on green grass on a sunny day, along with photos on his Instagram Stories, as he reflected on more than a decade with the dog he described as a constant companion through the biggest chapters of his adult life.
An emotional farewell on Instagram
In his tribute, Hough wrote that Romie came into his life when he was still figuring things out, and that the two of them faced those early years together. He said Romie watched him grow up, fall in love and become a husband, and he thanked his dog for choosing their family.
Describing the heartbreak of the loss, Hough said there is an ache that feels unbearable, and that waking up without Romie feels unreal. He wrote that he keeps looking for the spot where Romie would usually come around the corner, a small detail that captured how deeply the dog was woven into his daily routine.
He closed the tribute with a goodbye to his “sweet sweet Romie Boy,” saying he will love him forever.
Romie held on to meet his daughter
One of the most moving parts of Hough’s message was that Romie held on long enough to meet his baby daughter. Hough and his wife, Hayley Erbert Hough, 32, welcomed their first child, Everley Capri, in December 2025, and Romie got to be part of that new chapter.
Photos shared by Hough showed Romie alongside the baby, a moment he clearly treasured as the family grew. For fans who have followed Hough’s journey from dancer to husband to father, the detail made the loss feel especially poignant.
A bond that began at a Los Angeles rescue
Hough adopted Romie from a Los Angeles rescue in 2012 after volunteering to walk dogs at the shelter. He has previously recalled that Romie jumped on the couch and onto his lap during that first meeting, and that he knew in that moment the dog was his.
Over the years, Hough has spoken openly about how hard it is to lose a pet, including while supporting his sister, Dancing with the Stars co-host Julianne Hough, after her two dogs died unexpectedly in 2019. In a 2024 interview, he said anyone who has fully loved a pet understands that bond, and that you always want the best for them.
Now, as Hough and his family adjust to life without Romie, the tributes pouring in are a reminder of how much the dog meant not only to them, but to the fans who watched him grow up alongside his owner.
Source: People