Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne is nursing a broken heart of a different kind these days. After having to put down her 12-year-old Dutch shepherd Tiago earlier this month, she’s missing “the best friend a girl could have.” Losing a dog always hurts.
“I had to put my dog to sleep,” says Erika. “It’s just been really sad for me. It’s been tough.”
“The house is quiet,” she adds. “My boy’s gone … I’ve been really grieving. And I didn’t do one of those Instagram announcements, but it just feels right to share it.” She talked to PEOPLE about her loss.
A girl’s best friend
Erika purchased Tiago after her other shepherd, Andy, died of cancer. He came from a former U.S. Navy Seal, Mike Ritland, who trains personal protection dogs through his company Trikos International.
“Tiago lived a really long time for a shepherd,” says Erika. “He had an amazing life.”
RHOBH viewers are familiar with Tiago, who often appeared by Erika’s side on the series. “The one really good thing about the show is that he will live on forever,” Erika says. “That brings me enormous comfort.”
Tiago was often featured on Erika’s @PrettyMess account on Instagram, using affectionate names like “my guy” and “my distinguished gentleman.” He was also by her side amid her separation from her estranged husband Tom Girardi. Tiago went with Erika to her new home, bringing her comfort and continuity amid the upheaval and legal issues.
“He always has my back,” Erika lovingly wrote of her dog on Instagram.
For the time being, Erika’s distracted by her new show Las Vegas show Bet It All on Blonde, which runs select weekends at the House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay through December 16.
“It’s been amazing,” she says. “I love it and am so grateful for the experience, I really am. It’s been a rebirth in a lot of ways and a chance to introduce a newer version of myself as I really launch into this next chapter.”
Hopefully, once the show is over, Erika will be able to fill that empty space in her heart and her home with a new four-footed friend.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on Bravo.
TELL US – WILL YOU MISS SEEING TIAGO BY ERIKA’S SIDE?
