Carrie Ann Inaba is grieving the loss of a cherished family member. The longtime “Dancing With the Stars” judge revealed that her beloved dog Peanut has died, sharing a heartfelt message that prompted an immediate wave of love and support from fans and the DWTS family.
“Goodbye my eternal love…my little queen. ❤️ It has been the honor of a lifetime to be yours.”
The tribute struck a deep chord with followers, loved ones and her DWTS family many of whom said they felt the loss alongside Inaba after closely following Peanut’s journey in recent months.
DWTS Family Floods the Comments With Support
Members of the “Dancing With the Stars” family were among the first to surround Inaba with messages of comfort and care.
Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy wrote, “Sending you love Carrie Ann ❤️🩹,” while Derek Hough added, “Im so sorry 💔.”
Mark Hoying shared, “Sending you all our love, Carrie Ann ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️,” and Sasha Farber wrote, “I’m so sorry ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️.”
Emma Slater wrote: “Sending you so much love. I’m so sorry 💔🐾”
Paula Abdul also reached out, writing, “I am so sorry for your loss! I know just how heartbreaking this must be for you😢 I’m sending so much love and healing prayers your way 🙏🏽❤️🩹.”
Other messages followed, including Amanda Kloots’ “Oh friend I’m so sorry. Sending you loads of love,” Danielle Fishel’s “This pain never gets easier. Sending you love and hugs,” and Cheryl Burke’s “I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending love 🤍.”
Witney Carson added, “I’m so so sorry 💔😭 sending you so much love.”
Elaine Hendrix shared a particularly heartfelt message, writing, “Oh Carrie Ann. I’m so sorry. This moment always comes too soon. I’m sending you warmth and grace. You were both lucky to have one another.”
A Birthday Memory Made Even More Precious
Just weeks earlier, Inaba shared a heartbreaking note. Sharing a glimpse of a quiet birthday celebration at home, marking her 58th with Peanut resting in her arms. In photos shared online, she held her aging dog close and reflected on how deeply meaningful the moment felt.
“The most precious birthday gift of all.”
“On this 58th birthday, I am filled with gratitude for this life God has given me,” Inaba wrote.
“The number seems higher than it should be lol, but it also comes with a feeling of hopeful anticipation for what’s to come. Because I do feel that this is going to be a very special year.”
She later explained that celebrating with Peanut kept her grounded in what mattered most.
“I also am feeling so much gratitude that this little Queen has chosen to celebrate my birthday with me. It’s a gift that humbles me and grounds me in the things that matter most. Little moments of peace,” she added.
“I am feeling so much love right now. I feel it from all of you. I feel it from the universe, my friends and family, and of course my fur babies. I am in awe of the peace and warmth I feel in my soul.”
Inaba Opened Up About Anticipatory Grief Before Peanut’s Death
In the weeks leading up to her birthday, Inaba had spoken candidly about Peanut’s declining health, including ongoing heart and trachea issues. She shared a raw video of herself painting, describing it as a way to work through what she called anticipatory grief.
“Peanut 🐾🤍🥺,” she wrote.
“It’s an honor of a lifetime. We are going to make it through this chapter. But I’m not going to lie, it’s devastating to know we are getting close. There are so many emotions. Sorrow taking the top level and dripping down on everything else making it all so heavy. Yet so rich with love.”
“I’m devastated. Exhausted. Broken-hearted. Raw. I needed a release or I would shatter,” she added, explaining that art has long been her way of coping with intense emotion.
In another message addressed directly to her dog, Inaba shared the quiet heartbreak of watching Peanut struggle.
“I miss your sweet kisses,” she wrote. “Your trachea and heart issues make it less comfortable for you to give me those sweet kisses that have gotten me through the most difficult moments in my life… So of course, it showed up in the art. Peanut, I love you. #grief #pets.”
Inaba is also a devoted pet parent to two other dogs, Lola and Buddy.
A Lifelong Animal Lover
Inaba has long spoken about her deep bond with animals and the way they shape her daily life. She previously shared that Peanut began as a foster but quickly became family, just like her other dogs, Lola and Buddy.
“As soon as I fostered them, I failed at the foster, and I now have three dogs!” she said in 2016, as reported by People.
She often described Peanut as the heart of her fur family, which also includes several cats.
“She always seems to be thinking and concerned about everybody’s welfare,” Inaba told People. “I related to that, and I wanted to take care of her so that she wouldn’t have to be always stressed about everybody.”
In a past interview with Guideposts, Inaba reflected on why animals hold such a healing presence in her life.
“Animals love you no matter what, and it’s the most beautiful thing in the world,” she said. “It’s the most healing thing in the world, because life is filled with ups and downs and trials and tribulations, and when you come home to an animal, they just are always the same. They love you no matter what you do.”
As messages of love continue to pour in, Inaba’s tribute to Peanut stands as a gentle reminder of the enduring, powerful bond between people and the animals who walk beside them through life.
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