Vanderpump Rules star James Kennedy pined for his “best friend” following his split from ex-girlfriend Rachel Leviss. But it wasn’t Rachel he was missing. It was her Goldendoodle, a dog now known as “Hippie,” formerly known as Graham.
The dog was a gift from her parents, so Rachel took him with her when she and James split in December 2021. But he and James were happily reunited in July 2023.
“There is no word to really explain how much I missed him and love him,” James said at the Pump Rules Season 11 premiere event January 17. “Like he really is just, like, my best friend, and he was the missing puzzle piece.”
Back where he belongs
“Graham Cracker” was originally a college graduation present from Rachel’s parents in 2018. Though technically his girlfriend’s pet, James bonded and loved the dog. He was brokenhearted when Rachel took him with her after their engagement was called off.
When Rachel checked herself into a mental health facility following Scandoval, her parents took over Graham’s care. However, they claimed the dog had behavioral problems and eventually surrendered him to the California Doodle Rescue in April 2023.
The See You Next Tuesday DJ spoke to Andy Cohen about the dog during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live in April. At the time, he was trying to let go of his little buddy and move on without him. “I’ve left Graham in the past now,” he said sadly. “Beautiful times, but he’s gone, and that’s just what it is.”
Reunited and it feels so good
Somehow, Lisa Vanderpump discovered Graham’s whereabouts and reunited James with the dog, according to ET. Because of his “behavioral issues,” the dog was allegedly facing euthanasia when she rescued him and returned him to his dad. The full story will be shown on the upcoming Season 11 of VPR. Rachel’s story differs, and she claims James would antagonize the pooch.
Due to the complicated nature of his relationship with the dog, the British native told People that a name change was needed to help move on from the past.
“When I say ‘Graham Cracker,’ it just … feels like a thing of the past already” he explained. “It doesn’t feel right, and it brings back [all the] old memories that [I] don’t really need to be reminded of every single day.”
The dog responds to his new moniker “very well” and changing his name was “pretty easy,” according to James. He chose the name “Hippie” in honor of his late godfather, singer George Michael’s dog, who had the same name.
“The new house, the new garden, the new rules,” he elaborated, ” the new … environment with the name change right off the bat was actually an easier change than one would think.”
TELL US – DOES IT MAKE YOUR HEART HAPPY TO SEE JAMES WITH HIS DOG? DO YOU BELIEVE JAMES IS A GOOD DOG DAD?
