On Thursday, the proud dog dad took to Instagram to share an adorable snapshot featuring one of his cherished pups.
While he didn’t specify which of his raven-haired spaniels was in the image, the dog bore a striking resemblance to his beloved rescue companion, Ella, who sadly passed away in 2023.
Captioning the sweet moment, James wrote: “Is today Love Your Pet Day? EVERY day is Love Your Pet Day! Drop a [paw emoji] in the comments if you agree [blue heart emoji] #LoveYourPetDay #DogsDeserveLove #dogsofinstagram #spanielsofinstagram.”
The touching photo captured James gazing fondly at the pup, who looked up at him with equal adoration.
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While Ella remains a deeply missed presence in his life, James is also the proud owner of several other spaniels, including Zulu, Luna, and Inka—who all share a similar raven-hued coat. His chocolate-colored pup, Nala (Ella’s granddaughter), and his other dogs, Mabel and Isla, complete his beloved pack.
Ella held a particularly special place in James’ heart, as he previously shared how she helped him through his struggles with depression.
The heartwarming post was met with an outpouring of love from fans, many of whom flooded the comments with affectionate messages and emojis. One follower playfully wrote: “@ella.co Who came up with this holiday?! [laughing emoji] Absolutely—if you love your pet, you do so every second of every day!”
To which James humorously responded: “I can just imagine a dog somewhere feeling left out on Valentine’s Day and deciding to create its own special holiday a week later! [laughing emoji].”
A Special Bond Between His Son and Dogs
The post comes just days after James shared another series of touching images featuring his one-year-old son, Inigo, alongside their family dogs.
One particularly precious photo showed a newborn Inigo clutching the paw of either Mabel or Isla, while another captured him lovingly wrapping his arms around one of the pups, his back turned to the camera, revealing his soft, ice-blonde locks. In the background, a cozy fireplace added to the warm, homely scene.
Alongside the images, James wrote: “How it started… Valentine’s 2024. How it’s going… Valentine’s 2025. Pure Love. [red heart emoji].”
James and his wife, Alizée, welcomed baby Inigo in October 2023. James reflected on fatherhood, saying: “No matter how much people tell you how wonderful it is or how much it will change your life, nothing can prepare you for the moment you see your own child arrive. It unlocks something in your heart that you never knew was there.”
With his deep love for both his son and his dogs, it’s clear that James’ life is filled with warmth, family, and plenty of wagging tails.
