Alain Delon’s Last Wish to Die with Dog Foiled by Family

French cinema icon Alain Delon died last week at 88, and he almost brought his beloved dog, Loubo, with him. Delon had wanted the 10-year-old Belgian malinois to be euthanized and buried with him, but fortunately Delon’s surviving family kiboshed the idea.

In 2018, the French film legend told Paris Match magazine that he wanted to be buried with Loubo. “I’ve had 50 dogs in my life, but I have a special relationship with this one. He misses me when I’m not there,” he said. “If I die before him I will ask the vet to let us go together. He will inject him so that he dies in my arms.”

Animal rights activists objected and so Delon’s family – namely his daughter, actress Anouchka Delon – declared that Loubo would be spared and live out his remaining days with the family. “Loubo will of course not be euthanized!” French animal charity Fondation Brigitte Bardot declared on X. “He has his home and his family.”

Good to hear. A malinois can easily live to 15 years or more, so Loubo could have another five years or so before he’ll be joining the star of Le Samouraï and Purple Noon.

When Loubo’s time comes – naturally, we hope – he’ll likely join at least 35 other dogs in the pet cemetery Delon had created on the wooded grounds of his home, La Brûlerie, about 85 miles southeast of Paris.

Photo credit: Anouchka Delon via Instagram