As the Hollywood couple mourn the loss of their dog, who passed away this week, both stars shared emotional tributes that quickly drew love and condolences from fans and celebrities.
Julia Roberts and her husband, Daniel Moder, are grieving the loss of their beloved dog Myrtle, who recently passed away at 19. On May 16, 2025, the actress shared the heartbreaking news with her fans on Instagram, posting a photo of Myrtle sitting peacefully on a picnic blanket. “Our Myrtle. A Legend. 2006–2025 👑,” she captioned the image.
Daniel also honored Myrtle with a post of his own, featuring a close-up of the scruffy terrier’s soulful gaze. “The definition of Fierce Loyalty,” he wrote. “Even if she bit the pizza man once.”
Myrtle, also known affectionately as Myrtle Von Mertzenberger, was part of the Roberts-Moder family for nearly two decades and clearly left a lasting impression on those around her.
Friends and fans quickly flooded the comments with condolences. Jennifer Aniston wrote, “I’m so so sorry ❤️🩹 I love you all and always here 🌈🐾.” Rita Wilson added, “I’m so sorry, Julia.” “😢 so sorry…Those of us who have ‘been there’ know the pain.. 🌿🤍🌿,” one fan commented on Daniel’s post. “Aw so sweet. She looks like you! The eyes!” another netizen shared.
More heartfelt messages continued to pour in from friends and admirers. Fashion editor Edward Enninful also offered his condolences, writing that he was deeply sorry for the couple’s loss.
Another commenter shared a sentiment familiar to many pet owners, expressing that dogs never stay with us long enough and wishing Myrtle a peaceful journey — “run free with your wings,” the message read, accompanied by heart and paw print emojis.
Myrtle clearly held a special place in the family’s life, and Julia’s heart for dogs has long been evident. Years ago, her longtime friend and fellow actor Dermot Mulroney recounted a memorable story of the actress rescuing a stray while filming in Oklahoma.
“She had adopted a stray dog,” he said, recalling their trip back to Los Angeles on a private jet. “I told her it was inadvisable. But we fell in love with the mangy beast.”
What the actress didn’t know at the time was that the dog was pregnant. Soon after, she gave birth to four puppies — all of which Julia kept and named Amy, Jo, Meg, and Beth, inspired by the beloved March sisters from “Little Women.”