Just days after celebrating Mother’s Day with her family, Julia Roberts is now grieving a heartbreaking loss.
The Hollywood icon took to Instagram on Friday to share the sad news that her beloved rescue dog, Myrtle, has passed away — and fans everywhere are feeling the weight of her grief.
Remembering a Loyal Companion
Julia, now 57, has always been vocal about her love for animals, and Myrtle has been by her side since 2006.
On Instagram, she posted a touching tribute along with a photo of Myrtle taken outdoors, writing to her 12.8 million followers:
“Our Myrtle. A Legend. 2006–2025” — a simple, emotional message topped with a crown emoji, honoring Myrtle as the queen she clearly was in the Roberts household.
Daniel Moder Shares His Own Tribute
Julia’s husband, Daniel Moder, also posted a sweet farewell.
He shared his own photo of Myrtle and described her as “the definition of fierce loyalty,” adding a humorous memory: “even if she bit the pizza man once.”
He affectionately called her Myrtle Von Mertzenberger, a nickname that clearly carried love and personality.
Myrtle Was More Than Just a Family Pet
Myrtle wasn’t just a family dog — she was a bit of a celebrity in her own right.
In 2023, she made an adorable appearance in Julia’s Chopard Loves Cinema campaign, which featured a 12-episode digital series offering a peek into the actress’s glamorous and playful life in Hollywood.
Directed by James Gray, one scene captured Myrtle jumping up next to Julia while on set, adding a sweet, spontaneous moment to the production.
A behind-the-scenes release from the campaign even described how Julia paused script rehearsals just to cuddle Myrtle — a testament to their deep bond.
Fans Flood Social Media with Condolences
As soon as the news hit Instagram, fans began expressing their support.
Comments poured in beneath Julia and Daniel’s posts, with messages like:
“So sorry for your loss! She was a star in Chopard Loves Cinema!”
And another read: “Rest easy Myrtle — you’re etched in our hearts forever.”
British editor Edward Enninful also chimed in with heartfelt words, writing: “So so sorry for your loss!!!”
Julia’s Ongoing Support for Rescue Dogs
Julia has long been a passionate advocate for animal welfare.
Just this past December, she teamed up with Be Love Apparel for a charitable cause, supporting the dog rescue group Frankie Lola and Friends.
On Instagram, she shared a cheerful selfie with one of her other dogs and promoted the fundraiser on “Give Back Tuesday.”
She wrote enthusiastically:
“Lisa and her team work like crazy to find loving homes for pups in desperate need! What could be better than that!”
A Family Moment Before the Heartbreak
Earlier in the week, before sharing the news about Myrtle, Julia had been seen celebrating Mother’s Day with her family.
Daniel posted a rare and sunny photo of Julia posing with their three children — 20-year-old twins Hazel and Phinnaeus, and 17-year-old son Henry.
He captioned it lovingly: “Mothers make the coolest stuff. Love these guys.”
It was a happy glimpse into their family life before tragedy struck.
Julia on Parenting Her Grown-Up Kids
In a 2023 interview on Today, Julia opened up about how she continues to parent her kids even as they grow older.
Her approach is simple and caring — texting them reminders to drink tea, sleep well, and message when they get home.
She shared:
“I parent them the same way out of the house that I parented them in the house.”
And added how grateful she is that her older kids still allow her to be that kind of mom without eye-rolls or pushback.
A Peek Into Julia’s Relationship with Hazel
In another interview with Extra, Julia revealed that daughter Hazel occasionally borrows clothes from her closet — a classic mother-daughter move.
Though they share a love for fashion, their jewelry tastes differ. Julia said Hazel leans more toward a bohemian vibe, while Julia’s is a bit more classic.
Daniel’s Love Keeps Her Grounded
Julia has also spoken candidly about the deep love and support she receives from her husband.
In an interview with British Vogue, she jokingly (but sincerely) credited “the love of a good man” as one of the secrets to her happiness and youthful glow.
“I believe that my husband loves me and cares for me in a way that makes me feel deeply, deeply happy,” she shared — a beautiful reminder of their long-standing bond since tying the knot in 2002.