Al Roker and Deborah Roberts Reflect on a Year of Heartbreak After Losing Beloved Dog Pepper

For many families, pets are not just animals—they are cherished members of the household, companions who offer unconditional love and comfort. For Al Roker and his wife, Deborah Roberts, the loss of their beloved dog, Pepper, a year ago proved to be a deeply emotional and transformative moment.

On June 10, 2025, Deborah took to social media to honor the first anniversary of Pepper’s passing, sharing a poignant tribute and several heartfelt photos of the dog that had brought so much joy into their lives. It marked a full year since their world, as she described, “shifted heartbreakingly” with the loss of a creature whose presence had become an essential part of their daily rhythm.

Deborah, co-anchor of ABC’s 20/20, reflected on how deeply the absence of Pepper has continued to affect her. “Hard to believe that it’s been a year since our world shifted so heartbreakingly. We said goodbye to our sweet Pepper,” she wrote. Her message was both tender and vulnerable as she acknowledged just how hard the grieving process has been.

“I’m shocked by how profound and hard this loss has been,” she admitted. “Only now can I see her pictures or dogs who resemble her and smile, wistfully. Warmed by the memory of her absolute devotion.”

Pepper, a mixed-breed rescue dog adopted from a shelter in Pennsylvania back in 2012, had spent 12 loving years with the Roker-Roberts family. She wasn’t just a pet; she was a constant companion and a symbol of unconditional love—qualities that made her passing even more painful.

Deborah went on to share a touching insight into why losing Pepper hurt so much. “Experts explain it this way: Unlike humans, a dog’s love is generally free of complexity. It’s simply pure and unconditional. So the loss can hit deep.” That simplicity, she explained, makes the absence even more jarring. The loss isn’t tangled in unresolved emotions or complicated relationships—it’s just pure heartbreak.

She also addressed the well-meaning but difficult questions she’s faced over the past year. “Often, when I would choke up talking about Pepper, many would ask, ‘Are you getting a new dog soon?’ never meaning to be insensitive,” she wrote. “But I could no easier answer that question than I could about finding a new family member after losing one.”

The post concluded with a quiet message of love and remembrance: “Only your heart can know when and if it’s time to move forward. We miss you dear Pepper.”

Deborah’s tribute resonated with many of her followers, who flooded the comments section with messages of support and shared stories of their own grief over lost pets. The outpouring of compassion was a testament to how many people understand the profound impact a beloved dog can have.

Al Roker, the longtime Today show weather anchor, also mourned Pepper’s loss publicly. When Pepper passed away on June 10, 2024, he posted a video montage filled with joyful memories of the little dog who had become so much a part of their family. “12 years ago, this sweet little girl named Pepper changed our lives,” he wrote. “Yesterday, we had to say goodbye. While our hearts are heavy, they are also fuller because of all the love she bestowed on everyone who got to meet her.”

Throughout the years, Pepper made several appearances on television, especially during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when Al delivered the weather from home. Viewers often caught glimpses of Pepper curled up on his lap, providing a sense of warmth and normalcy during uncertain times.

A month before Pepper’s passing, the family went through another emotional ordeal. Deborah had posted about Pepper needing emergency surgery, a health scare that had left them shaken. “Gratitude,” she wrote at the time. “My heart is bursting with it today. Our littlest girl, Pepper, gave us quite a scare. She has survived an emergency surgery.”

Al echoed her sentiments on Instagram, updating fans with hopeful news: “Our little girl, Pepper had emergency surgery but is on the mend. She’s getting great care and is coming home tomorrow. Woof. You can sleep on our bed as much as you want.”

Unfortunately, Pepper’s recovery was short-lived. Just a few weeks after the surgery, she passed away—leaving behind a void that has taken the family a full year to begin to navigate.

For Al and Deborah, the pain of Pepper’s absence lingers, but so does the love she gave. Through tributes, memories, and quiet moments of reflection, they continue to celebrate the life of the dog who was more than a pet—she was family. And even in her absence, Pepper’s memory continues to bring warmth, gratitude, and the bittersweet comfort of a love that never truly fades.