In November 2020, Prince William and Kate Middleton shared a rare bit of personal news. The couple announced the death of their beloved family dog, Lupo.
The 9-year-old cocker spaniel was a gift from Kate's brother, James Middleton. William talked to his brother-in-law about getting the dog when he was facing deployment and worried that Kate would be lonely. Three human kids and many trips around the world later, Lupo was in many ways the first Cambridge child. A lot of people felt deeply for the family as they dealt with the loss.
The Daily Mail reports that in the months before Lupo's death, the couple had welcomed a new puppy into their home. The family got another black cocker spaniel from a litter bred by James the previous spring.
Prince William and Kate Middleton's home is full of love. The family of five recently welcomed a new pet into their midst. The family has been enjoying getting to know their new 8-month-old black cocker spaniel, whose name has yet to be revealed.
The Cambridges welcomed the new puppy before the death of their 9-year-old cocker spaniel, Lupo, in November. Like Lupo, the puppy came as a gift from a litter bred by James Middleton.
"The new puppy is adorable and the whole family are besotted," a source told the Daily Mail.
"They were devastated when Lupo passed away, as any dog owner will understand, but got the new puppy before he died," the source shared.
"It was hoped that a younger dog would give Lupo some company and give him a little more life and energy."
Genetically, the new puppy is Lupo's nephew.
The source also shared that Prince George and Princess Charlotte were able to help choose the puppy. Their Uncle James gave the young royals pick of the litter. The remainder of the litter was sold, with James donating the proceeds to Pets As Therapy, a charity that provides therapeutic visits to care homes, hospitals, and schools.
James has spoken out about how much dogs have helped him in his battle with depression. He appeared on BBC's Sunday Morning Live in August to discuss his journey with his black cocker spaniel, Ella.
"I got this diagnosis and Ella came to all of my therapy sessions, which I was reluctant to go from the start," he shared.
"But with her by my side, I really became confident in understanding that I had a mental illness."
James explained that when it was impossible to talk to anyone else, he took refuge in his pets. It made all the difference.
"I would go so far as to say that I owe Ella my life, and she doesn't know that," he leveled.
He also shared how important his dogs are in his ongoing battle with depression in an op-ed for the Daily Mail.
"I recognise, too, the role my dogs — Ella, Inca, Luna, Zulu and Mabel — have played in my recovery," he wrote.
"Ella, particularly, has been my constant companion for ten years and she’s been with me to all my therapy sessions. In her own particular way, she has kept me going. As a result, Ella and I now volunteer with the Pets As Therapy charity and Ella is a fully-fledged therapy dog for PAT."
