Heartbreaking Loss: DWTS Judge Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert Mourn Their Beloved Dog Romie

Fans are sending love and heartfelt condolences to Dancing With the Stars judge Derek Hough and his wife, Hayley Erbert, following the heartbreaking death of their beloved family dog, Romie. The couple is experiencing an emotional loss after saying goodbye to a four-legged companion who had been part of their lives for more than a decade.

Derek, 41, shared the devastating news on Sunday, October 25, 2026, through an emotional Instagram tribute. Alongside a touching video of Romie enjoying time outdoors, the professional dancer reflected on the extraordinary bond they shared over the years. His words quickly touched the hearts of fans, many of whom understood the pain of losing a beloved pet.

For Derek, Romie was much more than a dog. He was a loyal companion who stood beside him during important chapters of his life, from his younger years as a professional dancer to falling in love, getting married, and becoming a father.

The loss has also deeply affected Hayley, who shared her own emotional farewell to the family pet. Her tribute revealed just how important Romie had become to her, describing him as her adventure buddy, protector, and one of the sweetest members of their household.

As the couple navigates this difficult moment, their messages offer a touching reminder of the special relationship people can develop with their animals.

Derek Hough Shares an Emotional Goodbye to Romie

Derek’s announcement immediately caught the attention of fans who have followed his personal life and career for years.

In his Instagram post, he shared a video showing Romie walking through a beautiful outdoor space. The peaceful footage was accompanied by a heartbreaking message that revealed the depth of his sadness.

“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,” Derek wrote over the video.

The dancer then opened up about the important role Romie played in his life.

He explained that the dog came into his world during a period when he was still trying to figure things out. At the time, it was just Derek and his canine companion.

Romie quickly became a constant presence, offering comfort and companionship through both difficult and happy experiences.

Derek explained that his dog had seen him at his worst and at his best. Through every stage, Romie continued to love him without judgment.

The professional dancer also shared how the animal helped give his life purpose during moments when he struggled to find direction.

His words painted a picture of a relationship that went far beyond the typical connection between a pet and an owner.

For Derek, Romie was family.

A Loyal Companion Who Witnessed Every Chapter of His Life

One of the most emotional parts of Derek’s tribute was his reflection on how much his life had changed since Romie first entered it.

Over the years, the dog witnessed his transformation from a young man building his career into a successful television personality, husband, and father.

Derek wrote that Romie watched him grow up, fall in love, and become a husband.

That history made saying goodbye particularly difficult.

When someone or something has been part of nearly every important chapter of life, their absence can leave a tremendous emptiness.

Derek admitted that waking up without Romie felt unreal.

He also described finding himself looking toward a familiar spot near the bushes, expecting to see his dog appear as he had done so many times before.

The realization that Romie would never come around that corner again was especially painful.

It was a small detail, but one that captured the everyday heartbreak of losing a beloved animal.

The routines that once seemed ordinary suddenly become treasured memories.

Derek concluded his message by thanking Romie for choosing their family and for everything he had given him.

He acknowledged that the pain felt almost unbearable but also recognized that such grief was evidence of how deeply they had loved one another.

Hayley Erbert Pays Tribute to Her Beloved Buddy Boy

Derek was not alone in mourning the loss.

His wife, Hayley Erbert Hough, also shared an emotional tribute to Romie, revealing how much the dog meant to her personally.

Hayley posted a collection of videos capturing special moments from their years together.

Her message began with an affectionate description of Romie as her “buddy boy.”

She explained that she had enjoyed 11 beautiful years with him and felt privileged to have loved him so deeply.

Hayley also revealed that Romie was the first dog she called her own after moving to Los Angeles.

During that period, he became her constant companion and an important part of her everyday life.

She remembered him as her original adventure buddy, a cuddler, and the leader of their family pack.

She also described him as a gentle 65-pound dog who believed he was small enough to sit comfortably on someone’s lap.

That detail brought a smile to an otherwise heartbreaking tribute because it reflected the affectionate personality that made Romie so special.

Hayley explained that he had been there through so many experiences and had shown the family what unconditional love truly meant.

She hoped that he had felt every bit of the love they had given him until his final moments.

Her message was a beautiful acknowledgment of a companion who had become deeply woven into her life.

Romie Had a Special Bond With Baby Everley

Perhaps one of the most touching details in the couple’s tributes was Romie’s relationship with their daughter, Everley Capri.

Derek and Hayley welcomed their first child in December 2025, marking an exciting new chapter in their relationship.

Before becoming parents, the couple had spent years building their life together. Romie had been present throughout much of that journey.

Derek revealed that when his beloved dog began getting older and weaker, he asked him to hold on long enough to meet his little sister.

According to the dancer, Romie did exactly that.

He lived long enough to meet Everley, giving the family the opportunity to see him become part of their daughter’s earliest experiences.

Hayley’s tribute included a particularly sweet video showing Romie alongside the little girl as she crawled.

The image represented a special connection between an older family pet and a new generation.

Hayley described Romie as the sweetest big brother to Everley and a wonderful protector of the family.

She also thanked Derek for bringing the dog into her life, recognizing that she might never have experienced such a meaningful relationship with him otherwise.

Although Everley is still very young, the family will have photographs and videos documenting the time she shared with Romie.

For Derek and Hayley, those memories will likely become even more precious as their daughter grows older.

How Derek Hough First Met Romie

Romie’s story with Derek began long before the couple became parents.

According to previous interviews, Derek first met the dog in 2012 while volunteering to walk animals at a Los Angeles rescue organization.

What began as a simple act of helping dogs quickly turned into something much more meaningful.

Derek was introduced to Romie and was given the opportunity to take him home for an overnight stay.

However, the arrangement did not remain temporary for long.

Romie reportedly jumped onto the couch and settled comfortably on Derek’s lap.

The connection was immediate.

Derek recalled that moment as the point when he knew the dog belonged with him.

The overnight visit became a permanent adoption, and the two began a journey that would last approximately 14 years.

Over that time, Romie became a familiar presence in Derek’s home and accompanied him through significant personal and professional changes.

He was there during the demanding years of dance rehearsals, television appearances, relationships, and eventually marriage.

For a performer whose career frequently requires traveling and spending long hours away from home, having a dependable companion can make an enormous difference.

Romie provided that companionship.

A Family That Grew Around Their Beloved Dog

As Derek’s relationship with Hayley developed, Romie also became an important member of their shared household.

Derek and Hayley met through the world of professional dance and eventually became one of the most recognizable couples associated with Dancing With the Stars.

Their relationship progressed over several years, and they married in August 2023.

Throughout those changes, Romie remained part of their family.

Hayley’s tribute revealed that she considered him one of the household’s greatest protectors.

She also mentioned Luna, another beloved member of their animal family, and described Romie as the sweetest big brother to both Luna and Everley.

Their home had become a place filled with different personalities, relationships, and the everyday experiences that make family life special.

Romie had his own place within that environment.

His loss therefore represents more than the passing of an individual pet. It means losing a familiar presence that helped make their house feel like home.

For the couple, the silence left behind by his absence will undoubtedly take time to adjust to.

Fans and Dancing With the Stars Stars Send Their Condolences

Following the announcement, fans and fellow entertainers shared messages of sympathy and support.

Several people recognized how difficult it can be to lose an animal that has been part of a family for so many years.

Derek’s emotional words also resonated with people who have experienced similar losses.

Many followers expressed that pets often become companions through life’s most challenging moments. They offer affection without expecting anything in return and provide comfort through simple everyday routines.

Members of the Dancing With the Stars community also showed support.

Derek’s sister, Julianne Hough, and fellow professional dancers, including Sasha Farber and Lindsay Arnold, were among those expressing sympathy.

Their messages reflected the close connections Derek has built with people throughout his years in the entertainment and dance industries.

For a public figure who regularly entertains millions of viewers, receiving support during a private family tragedy can be especially meaningful.

The response also demonstrated how many people had become emotionally invested in Derek and Hayley’s family life.

Derek Hough’s Life Beyond the Ballroom

Derek has spent much of his career entertaining audiences through dance.

He became widely recognized through Dancing With the Stars, where his impressive performances and multiple championship victories established him as one of the show’s most successful professional dancers.

He later joined the program as a judge, bringing his experience and technical knowledge to the competition.

However, his personal life has also included significant challenges and milestones.

His marriage to Hayley was an important moment, while their daughter’s arrival marked a new beginning for the couple.

Hayley also experienced a serious medical emergency in December 2023 after suffering a cranial hematoma that required emergency surgery.

Derek remained by her side throughout her recovery, and the experience brought attention to the strength of their relationship.

Romie was part of the household during these major experiences.

That history helps explain why Derek described the dog as someone who had been there through both his best and worst moments.

The loss comes during a period when the couple is enjoying the new experience of raising their daughter.

Although the family has many happy memories ahead, they must now adjust to life without an animal who had been with them for so long.

The Pain of Losing a Pet Who Feels Like Family

Derek and Hayley’s tributes have also highlighted something that many pet owners understand: losing an animal can be an extraordinarily emotional experience.

Dogs become part of daily life in ways that are sometimes difficult to appreciate until they are gone.

They greet their owners when they return home, follow them from room to room, and settle into familiar places around the house.

They become part of morning routines, family photographs, holidays, and countless ordinary moments.

Eventually, those ordinary experiences become some of the most treasured memories.

For Derek, the familiar sight of Romie appearing around the bushes is one of the things he already misses most.

For Hayley, it is remembering the gentle dog who loved cuddling and accompanying her on adventures.

Neither tribute focused on material things or public achievements. Instead, they celebrated the simple joy of having Romie in their lives.

That is what makes their farewell so touching.

A Love That Will Never Be Forgotten

As Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert move through this difficult period, their heartfelt messages have offered a beautiful portrait of a dog who was deeply loved.

Romie spent approximately 14 years beside Derek and 11 years as part of Hayley’s life.

He witnessed their relationship develop, became part of their growing family, and lived long enough to meet their daughter.

Although saying goodbye has left a painful emptiness, the memories remain.

Derek’s final message acknowledged that the ache of losing Romie was almost unbearable, but he also understood what that pain represented.

It was proof that love had been present in their home and had been shared fully.

Hayley expressed a similar feeling, promising to carry Romie in her heart and love him for the rest of her life.

Their story is a reminder that the animals who share our homes often become some of the most important members of our families.

For Derek and Hayley, Romie will always be remembered as their loyal companion, gentle protector, and beloved boy.

His time with them may have come to an end, but the love he gave them will remain part of their family story forever.