Roma Downey says her Irish wolfhound Ruby brings her “so much joy and comfort.”

Downey, an actress and a native of Co Derry, frequently shares pictures and videos of her Irish wolfhounds on her social media accounts.

“When I first met her, I knew that she had been through a lot and that she needed extra love,” Downey says of Ruby, who was in two foster homes before finding her way to Downey.

“I wanted to give her the home that she needed so she could feel safe.”

Indeed, Downey has gone on to give Ruby a loving home, as evidenced in her many social media posts about her beloved pet:

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A post shared by Roma Downey? (@romadowney)

It's a dogs life at the beach ! My three irish wolfhounds Archie , Ruby and Maggie ! Check out these gentle giants  pic.twitter.com/hOUnxTrOHb

— Roma Downey (@RealRomaDowney) June 20, 2015

A wee woman and a big dog on Malibu beach ☘️#irishwolfhound #ilovemydog pic.twitter.com/KzT1SNUo6O

— Roma Downey (@RealRomaDowney) August 24, 2019

My dog Ruby does a great pigeon impersonation !! Have a listen  #irishwolfhound #dog pic.twitter.com/vwzTvdzhHe

— Roma Downey (@RealRomaDowney) April 9, 2019

Ruby ☘️ #irishwolfhound pic.twitter.com/wzVkVvrfog

— Roma Downey (@RealRomaDowney) March 26, 2019

Puppy love ...Simply irresistible!藍 Nothing like Irish wolfhound kisses ! Me and Miss Ruby sharing some love   #irishwolfhound #dog #puppylove #ilovemydog #irishwolfhounds #bigdog #furbaby #gentlegiant #dogkisses #dogsoftwitter pic.twitter.com/FXXvocCSNz

— Roma Downey (@RealRomaDowney) March 5, 2019

*Originally published September 2019. Updated in 2021.