RUTH LANGSFORD DESCRIBES DOG MAGGIE'S DEATH

Ruth Langsford became tearful on ITV’s Loose Women on Monday, 19 October, while speaking about the death of Maggie, the dog she shared with former husband Eamonn Holmes. Langsford said Maggie developed a bronchial infection quickly and that the family stayed with her until she died. “We were with her to the end,” she told the panel. Langsford had announced Maggie’s death to her Instagram followers the previous week, saying the dog was 16. In that message, she described Maggie’s death as “painless and peaceful”.

Langsford said her son Jack, whom she shares with Holmes, came home to be with Maggie. She recalled that Maggie recognised Jack and licked his face when he arrived. “Jack got home… I believe Maggie waited for him, I really do,” she said. Langsford told the panel that she had once doubted people who said pets waited for loved ones before dying. She said she was glad the family had been together with Maggie at the end.

In her Instagram announcement, Langsford wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that I tell you our beautiful Maggie has gone to sleep forever.” She posted a photograph of Maggie cuddling a toy Champagne bottle with the message. Langsford said other pet owners had told her she would recognise when Maggie’s time had come. She told the panel that she felt she knew when she got home. Describing the loss as “heartbreaking”, she added: “We’re very thankful, we’ve had her for so long.”