James Kennedy Reflects on His Emotional, "Out-of-Body Experience" Reunion with His Dog

 James Kennedy reunited with his "best friend" during Vanderpump Rules Season 11, Episode 4 on February 20. 

The friend in question? Hippie, formerly known as Graham, a.k.a. the dog James once shared with his ex-girlfriend, Rachel Leviss.

Lisa Vanderpump helped facilitate the reunion at — you guessed it — Vanderpump Dogs, and Hippie's remained with James (and Ally Lewber) ever since. 

Keep scrolling to get details on the emotional homecoming and to hear what James had to say more recently about life with his pup. 

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James Kennedy and Ally Lewber Open Up Life with Their Dog, Hippie: "He's Really My Best Friend"

How James Kennedy Reunited with His Dog

James went to Vanderpump Dogs for what he thought would be a regular catch-up, but before he knew it, Hippie was running down the stairs and into his arms. Lisa then told him, "James, he's been rescued." 

"I got a call from someone that says, 'This dog has been in a foster home for two months and has bitten a couple of times, I'm dropping him off at the shelter,'" Lisa continued. "So, somebody said to us, would we take him?"

The rest, as they say, was history. James quickly began tearing up, noting in a confessional interview, "The second I touched him, I could see it's him, you know? He's doing the same little wiggle that he did since he was a baby."

"He's my best friend and it's, like, literally a f-cking dream come true that he's back with me," James added. "And I just don't know — I still don't know how it's f-cking possible. I really don't."

James Kennedy is reunited with his dog, Hippie, formerly known as Graham, during Vanderpump Rules Season 11 Episode 4. Photo: Bravo

Lisa, for her part, insisted that Hippie "belongs" with James.

He agreed, concluding, "Of course every time I see a Goldendoodle — the most popular f-cking dog in Los Angeles — walking down the street, I think of Graham, I think of the good time we used to have, and then shake it off and get back to my day. And now, to be able to hold him and hug him again, and he's here, it shows that it was Graham's destiny to make his way back to me, to his true home."

Hippie, formerly known as Graham, during Vanderpump Rules Season 11 Episode 4. Photo: Bravo

Why James Kennedy Changed His Dog's Name From Graham to Hippie

At the time of their reunion, James was still referring to his pup as "Graham," but he's since changed his name to "Hippie." 

Reflecting on the name switch during Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on February 13, James said, "I mean, he doesn't even remember G.C. [Graham Cracker]. No, we don't even say that word out loud. We don't even say that word out loud in the household. You know, it's Hippie."

What James Kennedy Revealed About His Dog on the Vanderpump Rules After Show

In the above clip from the Vanderpump Rules After Show, James further opens up about reuniting with Hippie. "Honestly, one of the best moments of my life. I just can't believe it," he says. "It's like we were destined to be together." 

A producer then asks if he really "had no idea it was coming," to which James replied, "F-ck no, I had no idea. It was like an out-of-body experience, really." 

Get more details from James and hear his Vanderpump Rules castmates weigh in with their thoughts in the clip at the top of this post.

Lala, James, and Scheana talk during the Vanderpump Rules Season 11 After Show. Photo: Bravo

James Kennedy on Life with Hippie and Ally Lewber

Hippie, for his part, is living his best life. James shared on WWHL that he and Ally even "have songs for him." 

"We sing songs to him," James added. "Yeah, he's great."

What's more, James told BravoTV.com at the Vanderpump Rules Season 11 premiere screening and cocktail party in January that Hippie's "doing so good." 

"[He's] such a good boy, so well-behaved," he said. "He's put on a couple of pounds — healthy pounds — and he's just, like the best. He's really my best friend." 

Vanderpump Rules' James Kennedy and Ally Lewber cuddle with their dog Hippie. Photo: James Kennedy/Instagram

Ally is equally thrilled to have Hippie in her life. As James put it, "We're reminded of that every single morning when we wake up and we see him. And we're just so happy that he's back in my life and our lives." 

"We're obsessed with him," Ally herself added. "It might be unhealthy. We love him."

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