Al Roker Reflects on Celebrating Father’s Day After the Loss of Dog Pepper
TODAY’s Al Roker has been feeling a deep sense of loss following the passing of his cherished pet dog, Pepper, who passed away on June 10.
On the 3rd hour of TODAY on June 12, Al shared his emotions, stating, “She brought so much to our lives.” He explained that although Pepper hadn’t been feeling well for some time, the family was granted a brief period of joy. “A couple of weeks ago, she had had surgery and they said this is about as good as it’s going to be,” Al remarked, while viewers saw a heartfelt montage of Pepper.
The weekend following her passing, Al paused to reflect. Strolling through the neighborhood on Father’s Day, Al expressed in an Instagram video from June 16, “I gotta tell you, it’s been a rough week,” demonstrating his gratitude for the outpouring of support. He confessed that Pepper’s death impacted him profoundly, affecting his eating and exercise routines. “But it’s not what she would have wanted. She was a good girl, a good girl,” he added with a smile, reflecting fondly on their times together.
Al reminisced about a joyful time shortly before Pepper’s death. “I started flinging the Frisbee to her and it was like she was back to being a puppy,” he said, describing her energy and happiness, forever preserved in a playful video of Pepper dashing around with her Frisbee.
Finally, after 12 wonderful years filled with love and companionship, Al announced through Instagram on June 11 about Pepper’s passing. “12 years ago, this sweet little girl named Pepper changed our lives. Yesterday, we had to say goodbye,” he expressed with emotion, accompanied by cherished memories in photos and videos. The void left by Pepper is great, yet Al’s heart swells with gratitude for all the love Pepper brought into their lives.
The details of Pepper’s passing remain private. Al’s wife, Deborah Roberts, echoed her husband’s sentiments with an emotional Instagram post. She recalled Pepper arriving unexpectedly as a birthday gift, never meant to be theirs but, due to a twist of fate, became their perfect pup.
