'I'm so glad we were all there...' Ruth Langsford hints that she and Eamonn Holmes were reunited for death of beloved dog
During an appearance on Loose Women on Monday (19.10.26) Ruth Langsford opened up her grief over the death of her beloved pet dog Maggie, a rescue she took home in 2011.
Ruth Langsford has hinted that she and her estranged husband Eamonn Holmes were reunited by the death of their beloved pet dog.
The 66-year-old TV star took to Instagram last week to tell her fans that border collie cross Maggie had died at the age of 16 after being taken ill with a bronchial infection.
She and Eamonn had adopted Maggie from a Dogs Trust rescue centre in 2011, and the pooch regularly joined the couple on the This Morning sofa when they presented the ITV daytime show.
Ruth opened up about her grief over losing Maggie on Loose Women and, after telling her fellow panellists that her 24-year-old son Jack had managed to make it back home in time to say goodbye to the family pet, she also said she was "so glad we were all there" for the dog's final moments.
Ruth and Eamonn, 66, announced in May 2024 that they were separating and intended to divorce after 27 years together and 14 years of marriage. Their legal split is yet to be finalised.
Appearing on Loose Women on Monday (19.10.26), she said: "It was her time. She was 16, although it doesn't make it any easier.
"When people who have had pets in the past say to you, 'You'll just know.' And I just knew. She got a bronchial infection, very quickly, we were with her at the end. It was very sad but it was very peaceful.
"Jack got home ... I believe Maggie waited for him, I really do ... She knew it was him and she licked his face.
"I'm so glad we were all there. It's heartbreaking. We're very thankful that we had her for so long. We rescued her.
"We know that we don't have them forever and it's very hard to accept. I just think we're very lucky to have them as long as we do."
Ruth realised Maggie's time on Earth was coming to an end when the dog stopped running to the door to greet her when she got home.
She said: "When she would hear my car I would just see her little face at the front door and when she was younger she would run and get a toy, but as she got older she would always be by the door but as I came in she was just lying in the hallway and she didn't get up.
"You're guided by the veterinary staff because, sadly for them, they do this all the time. I kind of knew, when I said, 'Do you think it's time?' They said, 'I think it is.' So when they're saying it you... but I kind of knew."
Ruth is still processing the death of her dog and she has made the decision not to tell her 94-year-old mother Joan who lives with dementia, because she was so fond of her visits with Maggie.
The presenter said: "She loved seeing my mum. I haven't told my mum. My mum has dementia and I'm just not going to tell her."
Announcing the death of Maggie to her 1.1 million Instagram followers, Ruth wrote: "It is with a heavy heart that I tell you our beautiful Maggie has gone to sleep forever.
"She was 16 years old and sadly this was her time. Her passing was painless and peaceful and we were with her until the very end.
"We are so thankful to have had her in our lives for 15 years... she gave us so much joy and unconditional love. We will treasure our memories forever. Rest in peace our beautiful girl."
