Dancing With the Stars judge Derek Hough is mourning the loss of a beloved family member who stood by his side for 14 years, sharing an emotional goodbye that has left fans heartbroken.
The 41-year-old dancer revealed Sunday, October 25, that his longtime dog, Romie, had died. In a deeply personal Instagram tribute, Hough reflected on the special bond they shared and how his faithful companion had been there for nearly every major milestone in his adult life.
Alongside a touching video of Romie walking through the grass on a sunny day, Hough explained that the dog entered his life long before he became a husband and father.
“Romie came into my life when I was just trying to figure life out, it was just me and him,” Hough wrote.
For years, Romie was his constant companion, providing comfort during difficult moments and celebrating life’s happiest occasions.
“He saw me at my worst and at my best,” Hough continued, explaining that the dog gave him a sense of purpose when he needed it most.
But perhaps the most heartbreaking part of the tribute involved Hough’s newborn daughter, Everley Capri, whom he welcomed with his wife, Hayley Erbert, in December 2025.
As Romie grew older and began slowing down, Hough said he made one special request of his longtime friend: to stay with the family long enough to meet their baby girl.
“He held on,” Hough wrote, revealing that Romie had fulfilled that wish before his death.
The moment carried particular significance because Romie had been with Hough since 2012, when the professional dancer first met him while volunteering at a Los Angeles animal rescue.
What was supposed to be a temporary arrangement quickly turned into a lifelong friendship.
During a 2023 interview with The Spruce Pets, Hough recalled bringing Romie home for an overnight stay. The dog promptly climbed onto the couch and settled into his lap.
That was all it took. Hough knew he had found his dog.
Over the next 14 years, Romie became a cherished member of the household, accompanying Hough through his rise as one of the most recognizable personalities on Dancing With the Stars.
He was also there when Hough fell in love with fellow dancer Hayley Erbert, whom he married in August 2023.
Erbert shared her own emotional farewell, describing Romie as a gentle 65-pound dog who loved cuddling and seemed to believe he was small enough to be a lap dog.
She remembered him as the family’s protector, an adventurous companion and a loving big brother to their daughter and their other dog, Luna.
The loss has been especially painful for Hough, who admitted he still catches himself looking for Romie in familiar places around their home.
“Waking up without him feels unreal,” he wrote.
He described instinctively watching the spot where Romie would normally appear from behind the bushes, only to remember that his beloved dog would never come around that corner again.
The touching post quickly drew condolences from friends, fans and fellow entertainers.
Hough’s sister, Julianne Hough, offered her love and support, while actress Jenna Dewan and Boy Meets World star Danielle Fishel shared messages acknowledging the heartbreak of losing a cherished pet.
Hough has not publicly disclosed a specific cause of death, although his tribute indicated that Romie had been slowing down as he aged.
For the six-time Dancing With the Stars champion, saying goodbye means losing much more than a pet. Romie was a companion who helped shape his life, from his younger years navigating fame to becoming a husband and welcoming his first child.
Despite the grief, Hough ended his message with gratitude for the extraordinary bond they shared.
“There’s an ache that feels unbearable. But it’s also proof that love lived here fully,” he wrote.
After 14 years of unconditional love, Romie leaves behind a family that will never forget him, and a little girl who got the chance to meet the loyal dog who had been part of her father’s life long before she was born.