When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were first married in 2011, it was said that they knew they wanted to wait a few years before starting a family. So one of the first things they did was get a dog, a cocker spaniel puppy from a Middleton family connection (James Middleton has several cocker spaniels). The puppy was all-black and they named him Lupo. Lupo was a good companion for Will and Kate, and once Prince George came, it seemed like George looked at Lupo as his best friend. Lupo went from “prominently featured in family photos” to “largely forgotten amid three young children.” But he was a good dog and lived a good life. And now he has passed away.
I feel like nine years old is pretty young for a dog to pass away. No one is saying much about the circumstances, so I guess it was a natural death. I’m also assuming that Lupo spent most of his time at Anmer Hall, out in the country, where he could run and play with his kids. I’m super-sad about this! I always wondered why the Cambridges didn’t get additional animals too. Now I wonder if they have the heart to start over with a new puppy at some point (not right now, but maybe next spring).
Photos courtesy of social media, Kensington Palace.
I hope the family’s doing okay. I haven’t had a pet but I know the death of one can be devastating, especially to young kids. And the fact that he died young and hadn’t been seen in a few years makes me wonder if it was cancer or a heart attack or something like that.
Pure breed Cockers can have a multitude of health issues. I’m guessing cancer.
I looked up Cocker Spaniel lifespans and he did die young. Poor pup. It happens.
It does sadly. From James’s posting Lupo’s mother Ella still lives.
I thought the same, that was young for the dog to pass way. It must be very hard on the kiddos. Loss of a pet is never easy.
RIP Lupo. I loved those family pictures with Lupo. Must be v sad for them all and the kids especially. Losing your first pet is heartbreaking. If they get another dog I’m betting on a rescue from Battersea cats and dogs home which I think Camilla is patron of
Crazy that a poster was joking about Lupo making a cameo in one of the Cambridges videos like the Sussexes’ dog I think last week and then this news comes out
I always tear up whenever I read someone’s observance about the death of their pet.
Same betsyh.
9 does sound a little on the younger side for a spaniel. How sad for the family though. We put our golden retriever to sleep over the summer and it was one of the hardest things I’ve done, even knowing it was the right choice.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I live in dread of that day coming for us. My 12 year old Lab has nutritional DCM (a massively swollen heart) because I fed her grain free food and I’m counting each day I still have with her as a blessing. We are fortunate that the disease only became symptomatic when she was already 11 and that she is able to hold her own with meds (her heart might even be starting to remodel!). It hits dogs as young as three with devastating consequences.
MY PSA for the day: Don’t feed your dogs any of the boutique grain free brands. And if you do, insist your vet does an xray to check for heart complications even if your fur baby is not showing symptoms. If nutritional DCM is caught early, evidence shows that there is a chance it can be reversed.
I’m so sorry, please don’t blame yourself. We do the best we can as owners with the information we have.
Furthering the PSA, I was also caught by surprise by this! I had been feeding my dog and cats (expensive) boutique pet food for years, thinking I was doing the best for them. I switched vets to one associated with our local university and they instead recommended the big brands like Nestle Purina, Hill’s, Royal Canin or Fancy Feast canned food. They explained to me that these major brands all have expert animal nutritionists on staff, and are constantly performing quality control checks.
They provided the following links with additional information on DCM:
http://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2018/11/dcm-update/
https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/news-events/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and- canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy
Mich – hoping the best for you and your beloved dog.
Thanks @Northstar
The diagnosis was absolutely devastating. For those hit with the same, there is a fantastic Facebook support group run by the vet scientists at the forefront of studying the issue. You have to submit your pet’s echocardiogram to join. Fair warning, even in the open forum (i.e. not the support group) there are a slew of heartbreaking stories – often with pets just two or three years old.
I’ve learned so much in the last six months. I had no idea, for example, that the boutique brands do not have board certified veterinary nutritionists on staff and they don’t do feeding trials. Our pets are their guinea pigs.
We have a lot to thank the Golden Retriever community for when it comes to knowing about the damage this food is doing. Some breeds are predisposed to DCM but Retrievers are not and when the cases started mounting, online forums noticed and sounded the alarm.
My Daisy is now part of the FDA study into the issue.
We had the vet come and put our old boy lab to sleep a couple of years ago. His last walk was in the snow and he went snuggled between my husband and me, in front of an open fire. We gave him a lovely last day and did what we had to do. Our little girl lab is now 14. She is doing fine, but every day is precious. My husband will be in pieces when she goes.
James’ post was lovely. Just lovely. I have my fair share of issues with W and K, but the loss of a pet is heartbreaking. I hope the poor kids are doing okay, and I hope they opt to get another dog at some point. I know that pets aren’t for everyone, but as a dog-lover, I can’t imagine my family without one!
Agree Kay. I am saddened for the family and Lupo’s caregivers (when they were away from him). The loss of a pet is devastating. I may not care for Wm and Kate but I am totally empathetic to their family’s grief over the death of a beloved pet.
We’ve had many cats over the years, most of them living into their teens. Just buried a beloved nearly 20-year-old. Our dogs, though….one lived till age 8, one until age 7. Our current doggo is 3, I want to do everything possible so he lives longer. It’s so devastating when they pass on.
Agreed. He really seems like a real animal lover. That should be his calling, not Nazi marshmallows.
Poor pup died so young. We have a worker cocker spaniel and they are gorgeous albeit nutty. They want to be under your skin and even then they’re not close enough.
It’s really sad, but, my god, it’s so cringy that keenbridges posted that. Who on earth cares about Lupo? When was the last time we heard anything about this dog? Nine years is not that much for a dog, especially for ROYAL dog.
They cared. And the passing of a dog or any family pet is sad. If they wanted to post about it, it was well within their rights.
you sound fun
Right ? that was sooo unroyal & unprofessional 😏
even Royal dogs get sick, have accidents, get tumors etc… heartbreak doesn’t measure your bank account before visiting.
How is it cringey? It’s humanizing. They loved their dog.
You aren’t very nice or maybe just very immature. This is a devastating loss for a family and sharing the pain with people that get it why it’s so sad is comforting. Please don’t ever get an animal. Obviously, it won’t be loved.
Obviously people care since they are commenting on it. And even last week some of us were wondering about where Lupo was because we hadn’t seen a picture in a long time of him. I think this is a normal thing for the royals to share – its not uncommon for members of the family to release information about pets when they pass.
This person has been banned. There are too many replies to delete it now. Don’t feed trolls just comment “troll”
Thanks Celebitchy.
Who cares? People who have a heart and are not devoid of emotion, that’s who . People who aren’t sociopaths. People who care about animals. People who appreciate that while *they* may not be experiencing loss, they still empathise with others who are. Honestly, what a truly sad and pathetic way to think.
And FYI, Spaniels can be prone to many issues that can shorten their life significantly. My business partner lost his 9 year old Spaniel to a short but devastating illness. it happens. Not that you care of course!
This is such a silly, mean, pointless thing to post. You need to log off.
You sound like maybe you’ve never had a family pet before? To be fair, I never realized how much a pet is a member of the family until I got my cat in my late 20s. He is very much part of our family and we love him. I remember back in college, one of my friends was distraught because her family cat died and she couldn’t be home for it. I truly thought she was being a drama queen and my other friends with pets had to explain to me that yes, it is that hard to lose that member of the family.
9 isn’t old, but we don’t know the circumstances. My sister lost her pug at 2 years old – it turns out she was born with a birth defect and they didn’t know until it was too late. It was awful. I still get incredibly sad when I think about it.
We haven’t heard anything about Lupo in a very long time but that’s no indication that “no one cares about” this do. And I’m sure the Camridges and most probably the kids, loved their pet dearly and are surely devastated over this loss. m so sad for the kids who had developed so much attachment to Lupo and of course loved him dearly.
These news though reminded me of how Meg was dragged over her leaving Bogart with a friend and also fo not telling everyone everything about Guy and Pula. The dragging was only reserved for Meghan as always, different strokes for different folks i guess. Anyhow RIP Lupo.
Wowgust, who on earth cares about YOU?
Can you imagine the media reports if the Sussexes announced that their dog had died.
Wowgust You sound nasty and clueless.
Oh James Middleton’s post actually breaks my heart. When my childhood beagle passed away a few years ago at age 14, my parents were heartbroken. They called me and my sisters one by one to tell us he was dying and we all cried. They lasted 3 months before getting a new puppy because they have both always lived with and loved dogs.
No
Matter how long you have a dog, it’s never long enough. And they take a piece of your heart with them when they leave. I know only too well—-I’ve lost three dogs in the last year. I’m very sad for them.
A wonderful comment Bethany. Also, please accept my sympathy for the deaths of your dogs. Must be heartbreaking, especially when the deaths are so close together. We always have 2 pets of the same age and have had the pain of loosing both close together. It is devastating. Absolutely lovely comment about the loss of a beloved dog and my sentiments exactly. I always take comfort in Byron’s sentiments over the loss of his dog:
EPITAPTH TO A DOG, by Lord Byron
Near this Spot
are deposited the Remains of one
who possessed Beauty without Vanity,
Strength without Insolence,
Courage without Ferosity,
and all the virtues of Man without his Vices.
*****This praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery if inscribed over human Ashes, is but a just tribute to the Memory of Boatswain, a Dog who was born in Newfoundland May 1803 and died at Newstead November 18th 1808.
That was a lovely poem Lady. It brought back memories of my beloved Newfies (2 of them) who passed at almost 14. Such magnificent, gentle giants. I feel badly for the Cambridge family on the loss of their sweet dog. I hope they get another dog. The children would probably love having another dog to grow up with.
This was written for Lord Bryon’s newf. One of my losses was a newf just 2 years old with a very bad heart murmur that he was born with. We left the house for 2 hours and when we returned, he was dead. The other was a 5 year old newf who died from a blood clot after a C-section. She left behind a 5 hour old puppy who had no siblings. We limped along with bottle feedings every three hours around the clock but he made it. Now his best friend, another newf who’s 8, has bone cancer and we don’t know how long he has. So Solo is going to suffer another loss.
I don’t know how the above poster can say these don’t mean anything and who cares.
Its definitely on the young side for an English Cocker Spaniel. We horribly lost ours around the same age to a vehicle. He was just starting to slow down a little. Likely accident or disease condition, and it sucks. They are such bright energy dogs with the biggest personalities. The hole left is heart shattering
I had a cocker spaniel growing up who died at 8 years old from cancer, so yeah, it happens. While I am no fan of W&K, losing a pet can feel devastating. My husband and I lost our chocolate lab unexpectedly 5 years ago and we still mourn for her like you wouldn’t believe.
My 9-year-old Boston Terrier has terminal cancer so I’m enjoying every second with her…I thought she’d live to be 13-15. I have NOT had enough time with her. 🙁 🙁
😢 I’m so sorry.
I’m so so sorry. I lost my boy cat to cancer a few years ago and my 15 year old cat in Feb. I miss them so much. We have two funny kitties that we adopted in June, but I miss them even so. They are family
I had a cocker spaniel growing up and he lived to be 11. He had frequent seizures the last year or so which we were told was common in cockers. 🙁
I sometimes hope there is a place where we go after death and are reunited with our fur babies. I miss them all and at 66 years of age I’ve had quite a few.
I hope so too….I love my dogs!
Two lovely, comforting thoughts come to mind;
“If there are no dogs on Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went.” Will Rogers
“Heaven is a place when you die all the dogs you have ever loved come to greet you.” Oliver Gaspirtz
I have loved many dogs, cats. They were good friends. I am blessed by their companionship and love.
That’s beautiful Sami.
RIP Lupo. Poor kids.
Just wanted to say to all the other commentators who have had a pet cross the rainbow, for whatever reason, I’m holding a space in my heart for you. Our pets do become members of our families. I lost a 5 year old Tabby to chronic renal failure in 3 days a year ago and I still have a little cry every day. My thoughts are with all of my fellow animal lovers on here. R.I.P. Lupo
“Holding a space in my heart for you”
What a really lovely thing to say. Very, very sweet.
Hannah – I hope you are doing ok and have lots of support. I lost my beloved 8 year old boy to cancer suddenly on July 29 and I cry every day. I read that tears of grief are love that has no where to go anymore and that feels very true to me. Thanks for holding space.
Oh this is so sad. Our dog is 9 as well and I can’t imagine life without her. The kids must be heartbroken.
Aw Lupo!! RIP, you good boy.
I was blessed enough to see my Cocker live up to a grand age of 13 before she passed. It’s devastating for anybody to lose their pet. My thoughts go out to them. RIP Lupo <3
Losing your companion animal can be truly devastating. Not all people have the same emotional attachment to animals, which is fine, but for some people their pet is the unconditional love that gets them through the day. If you’re struggling with this issue, or even facing it in the near future, look for Pet Loss Support groups in your area/state. I’m facilitating mine on Zoom right now, so there are options and support even during pandemic. aplb.org is a terrific resource for information, advice and chat support. You aren’t alone, and don’t have to be alone, in your grief and loss.
R.I.P., Lupo. He seemed like a sweet, good dog. I hope his trip over the rainbow bridge was not too difficult and that the Cambridge kids in particular are doing ok.
So tough to lose a dog, they’re members of the family for sure. That picture of him with the muddy nose is glorious.
This hits hard. My utmost sympathy to the family.
My 17 year old diabetic cat had a catastrophic event yesterday and I’m waiting for my vet to open to take him in so he can cross the rainbow bridge today. My heart is breaking. Losing a companion animal is just the worst.
I am so sorry. Giving you virtual hugs during this difficult time. 🙁
Awww, I’m so sorry for your little fur baby. *hugs*
I’m so sorry. It’s an awful thing to say goodbye, but at least your poor kitty will find relief and you’ll be there with it
I had to euthanize my 19-year-old cat in April, right during lockdown and it sucked horribly. The vet at least let me come in so I could be with her – they were doing regular appointments and such, but only letting clients come in for euthanizations. I was very grateful for that. The worst part was beforehand, just wondering if I could grit my teeth and get through it. Once it was done, it wasn’t as bad. My sister who is an oncologist said the best thing I could do is give her a good death, and that’s what you’re doing too.
Thank you everyone who replied. I sincerely appreciate it.
Our vet did a beautiful, kind, compassionate and empathetic job today. They’ve known him his whole life. They let me be there ❤
I’m sorry to everyone posting who has experienced this type of loss. Our fur babies steal our hearts via unconditional love. That’s why it hurts so much when they’ve got to go.
A reader So terribly sorry.
Sweet doggo, Rest In Peace. Losing a pet is terrible and my heart goes out to the family. I still ache when I think of my sassy pomchi who passed away almost 3 years ago. She my avi here.
Oh, how upsetting! I am so ambivalent towards William and Kate but the loss of a pet is something most of us can empathize with. Lupo predated all the kids and was there in the early years of their marriage. He also kept Kate company when William went to the Falklands for several weeks (remember that??). I wished they had shared about him more frequently, he seemed to disappear after Charlotte came around and I forgot he even existed until this announcement. I’m sure the kids will especially miss him.
I remember the loss of my dog in 2014. He lived to be 15 and we were so surprised he managed to make it that long. I was only 11 when when we got him and I was in my 20s when he died. I like to think he lived for so long because he was so happy with us. 🙂
I love how he ended it ‘Good Boy’. rest in peace lupo and my sympathy to the family.
I have a cocker spaniel poodle mix and we would be devastated should anything happen to him as he is a beloved family member. I still remember when I was 6 and our first dog died, I cried all day in school.
James’s words about Lupo were so genuine and moving. His heart is so soft toward animals; he seems misplaced among the cutthroat Middletons (maybe Mike is more like him).
Isnt he the one with the Nazi scandal/was friendly to Dan Wooten? Or was it another guy connected to the Mids?
Ugh, I didn’t know that so I googled it and you’re right (about the Nazi scandal; didn’t look up Dan Wooten). WTF is wrong with these people?? And on the DM article I found about it, there were only 3 comments! How is that possible when there are thousands of negative comments about Meghan reading a children’s book for charity?? If that doesn’t show the DM’s agenda/who pulls their purse strings, I don’t know what does.
Losing a pet is always hard. Rest in peace Lupo.
RIP Lupo. It’s so sad when a pet passes away.
It hard to lose a beloved pet, best wishes to the family, especially the children.
RIP Lupo. My first dog was a cocker spaniel (a blonde one), and he passed away just shy of 12. He had lots of issues (diabetes, Parvo when he was a puppy, Lyme disease, blindness) so it wasn’t unexpected but dang did it destroy me. It’s been almost 4 years now and I still tear up when I think of him. I have a 5.5 year old golden retriever and I absolutely dread the day that I have to let her go.
It is so sad to lose a pet. I have an ancient beloved dog that is on her last legs right now. It’s hard.
I guess one doesn’t realise how much a personality pets have until you get one. It’s not just about the times we share with them, it’s about them being individuals with their own traits. You can get another one but it will never be the same.
That Picture of Lupo and George staring at each other in the window is lovely! Hopefully he didnt suffer.
Oh no, so young! 🙁
These old pictures of PWT and Keenie made me realize how they have no chemistry anymore. I can’t imagine him holding her hip like that today in any photo shoot.
Her brother wrote a moving obit for Lupo. That was genuine and sweet. The “Good boy” at the end got me.
I thought James post was sweet and heartfelt and heartbreaking all at once. I have had dogs and cats and losing them is wrenching. After my doxie Doggy died I didn’t think I would ever want another pet but to me my house was empty. We are now owned by a Snowshoe Siamese and my heart is full. He’s laying beside me right now purring away.
R.I.P. Lupo and run free over that rainbow bridge
I’m so sorry for them and for those of you posting about lost pets in these comments. It is so hard to lose our fur babies. I have two kitties (just turned 2!) and they are my world, as I’m single and live alone. Pets take up such a special place in our hearts. James captured it so well.
Lupo was a beautiful boy and I’m so sorry he passed so young. What a sweetie. I hope when they’re emotionally ready they adopt another pet for the kids. It’s really hard to come home to an empty house.
How sad. 9 seems kind of young to me. I have a 9 year old English Springer Spaniel + Pug mix. I’m going to give him extra cuddles today
I shouldn’t have read all the comments. Now I’m crying and missing my fur babies. Dammit.
So sad to read about Lupo and everyone else’s losses. I lost one of my furry babies a few years ago and it took me weeks before I could talk to anyone about it without having an ugly cry. Even now there are things about her last days that I can’t talk about without crying. But even though she’s gone we still laugh about how crazy she was, how beautiful she was, how special she was and I still tell her how much I love her.
Poor Lupo, we hadn’t seen or heard about him for a few years, so this was a shock (especially given his fairly young age). Lupo was a wedding present from James, so he must have been very important to Kate.
James said Lupo’s mother and siblings are still around (they are his).
Saw this on twitter last night. Sad for the family, especially the kids.
My parent’s dog died at 8 years old. But she also had some medical issues right at the end.
Oh, no! He’s been with the Cambridge children their entire lives. So sad. Rest in Peace, Pull.
I had a cocker spaniel when I was a kid, my family got him when we were both 3 and he passed when I was 14. He did have one litter of purebred puppies and he outlived them all, they’re a great breed but they definitely have genetic disadvantages. I’m 40 now and I could still cry thinking about our dear Ben. He’d been terribly abused, I hope he had the life he deserved with us.
Is that a second dog in the picture with baby George? Maybe they had two dogs?
I confess, compounding my sadness at Lupo’s passing is seeing those old pictures and remembering when I thought they were nice people.
I had two cocker spaniels and they each lived to 14 but my neighbour’s cocker died aged not quite 8 with kidney trouble.
Just because Lupo was kept behind the scenes, I would say a pretty nasty comment implying he had been forgotten. The Middletons are all great lovers of cocker spaniels and I am sure Lupo was still much loved and stayed in whatever home they were occupying.
When Kate was at the beginning of her pregnancy with Charlotte she and William were at the Norfolk house for a few days overlooking renovations. George was not with them but Lupo was. Just leave out the mean comments on this one.