Robert Irwin says Stella has cancer after surgery during DWTS

Robert Irwin announced Saturday that his family’s pug, Stella, has been diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery, news he shared while competing on Dancing with the Stars. Irwin posted the update on Instagram from the show’s rehearsals, saying a mass "ended up being cancerous" and that he does not yet know the full extent of the disease. He added, "I have faith she’ll be in the clear," and described Stella as "my little bestie, one tough cookie." Irwin said the situation has been "stressful to say the least" but that Stella was doing okay after surgery. Family, friends and fans offered support in comments, including his sister Bindi Irwin and fellow contestant Danielle Fishel.

The announcement came amid a highly emotional Dedication Night episode of Dancing with the Stars that aired Tuesday, in which the remaining couples dedicated their routines to influential people in their lives. For the first time in the show’s history, the loved ones being honored joined contestants on the ballroom floor. Producers also enlisted a former professional dancer as a guest judge for the episode. The program carried no elimination at the end of the night, allowing all ten remaining couples...