Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage

Robert Irwin Announces Heartbreaking News That Has Fans Sending Their Prayers

Robert Irwin may be having a cultural moment with his work on Dancing with the Stars. But with sunshine comes the rain. The conservationalist announced heartbreaking personal news.

Taking to Instagram on October 12, Irwin announced that his pug Stella has cancer. The celebrity shared that doctors discovered a mass on the animal.

"This is a tough one," he wrote. "I wanted to give an unfortunate update on my sweet little pup, Stella. A mass was discovered that ended up being cancerous."

Robert Irwin Shares News

Despite the heartbreaking discovery, Irwin said that he is hopeful that the dog will make a recovery. It's especially difficult for him because Stella is at home in Australia while he is in California competing.

"We still don't know the full extent of the cancer," he shared. "I have faith she'll be in the clear. She is such an important part of our little fam, so it's been stressful to say the least being away from home and away from her while she goes through this.  know you guys love seeing her and I love sharing her with you so wanted to give an update... she is doing ok post-surgery so far, she's my little bestie & one tough cookie."

His story drew plenty of responses from his fans as well as his family. His mom and sister publicly comforted him over the news.

"She's such a strong and beautiful little soul. ??" wrote Bindi.

Meanwhile, mom Teri wrote, "Every day is another day of healing. She is a determined little soul!?"

Irwin is currently competing on the popular dancing show. His mom Teri is coming out this week for the show.

"It has been an emotional week in rehearsals," he shared previously. "I've been thinking a lot about my mum and her strength, I've been reminiscing on the times we've spent as a family and how she has kept my dad part of my life. This dance is for my mum, it's for anyone who's lost someone... and it's for all the strong mothers of the world who deserve our recognition and appreciation ??"