Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert have announced the death of their beloved dog, Romie, after 14 years with the Dancing with the Stars judge.
Hough shared the news on Instagram on Sunday, posting a video in memory of the dog he described as his constant companion through different stages of his life.
“14 years by my side … I miss you so much already … My heart aches … Goodbye my son … My Romie boy … I will love you forever,” he wrote over the video.
In the accompanying caption, Hough said Romie had been with him while he was “trying to figure life out” and had remained by his side through his worst and best moments.
He said the dog had watched him “grow up, fall in love, become a husband” and had held on long enough to meet his “little sister”. Hough added that waking up without Romie felt “unreal”, before thanking him “for choosing us, for carrying me, for giving me so much”.
Erbert paid tribute to Romie a few hours later, describing him as her “buddy boy” and saying she had had the privilege of loving him for 11 years.
She said Romie was the first dog she had called her own after moving to Los Angeles, and remembered him as her “OG adventure buddy”, a cuddler and “the leader of our pack”. She also described him as a gentle 65lb dog who believed he was a lap dog.
Erbert thanked Hough for bringing Romie into her life, calling him “the greatest protector of our family” and “the sweetest big brother to Luna and Everley”. She said she would carry him with her and love him for the rest of her life.
Several Dancing with the Stars professionals and Hough’s sister, Julianne Hough, shared condolences in the comments on the couple’s posts.
