Dancing With the Stars judge Derek Hough and his wife, Hayley Erbert, are grieving the death of their longtime dog, Romie, after a 14-year companionship. Hough shared the news on Sunday, October 25, via an Instagram video tribute dedicated to his beloved pet, expressing profound grief over the loss.
In his social media post, Hough reflected on the pivotal role Romie played throughout his adult life, noting that the dog entered his world during a period when he was trying to navigate his path. For an extended time, Romie served as his steadfast constant through both personal and professional milestones. Hough described how the dog witnessed him grow up, fall in love, and ultimately become a husband, offering unconditional affection and a sense of purpose during challenging moments.
The dancer also shared a poignant detail about Romie’s final months, explaining that as the dog began to decline, Hough asked him to hold on long enough to meet his future daughter. Romie fulfilled that wish, staying by their side until after Derek and Hayley welcomed their first child, a daughter named Everley Capri Hough, in December 2025.
Describing the immediate aftermath of the loss, Hough admitted that waking up without his pet felt surreal, noting that he repeatedly caught himself looking toward the bushes where Romie would typically wait. He concluded his tribute by thanking the dog for carrying him through life and acknowledging the deep ache left behind as proof of a profound bond, writing, “Goodbye for now my sweet sweet Romie Boy.”
Followers and fellow social media users responded to the post with an outpouring of sympathy and condolences, sharing their own experiences with pet loss and offering support to the couple as they navigate their grief.
