Jennifer Garner’s beloved 9-year-old golden retriever, Birdie, has died.
The 52-year-old actor honored Birdie, who acted as Garner’s co-star on her YouTube series “Books with Birdie,” in an emotional post Nov. 27 on Instagram.
“It is hard to know how to write this — it seems nuts, given the world, to mourn a pet, but since we have shared Birdie with all of you, it only seems fair to let you know of her passing,” Garner wrote alongside images and videos of her and Birdie by each other’s side.
“Birdie let us know on Thursday that she wasn’t feeling herself (a renowned foodie, Birdie never missed a meal). We were surprised to learn that, not only was she very ill, she was at the end of her life,” Garner continued.
“The vet told us that dogs often hang on until their person comes home from college and we believe Birdie did just that, so that we could pet her soft ears together and thank her for being the world’s best dog,” she went on, seemingly referring to oldest daughter Violet Affleck, 18, who began her first year at Yale University in August.
“Birdie,” noted Garner, “loved to be read to, always found her way into a Pretend Cooking Show, and knew just how to give people what they needed (as evidenced by her happy days as a dog therapy team with Mo).
“She lived a happy dog life and is now in the role she was born to play: angel girl. It’s a gift to love and be loved by such a creature as Birdie the Doggie,” Garner concluded, adding emoji of dog footprints and angel wings.
Garner’s famous friends commented to send their condolences.
“Oh Jen…I’m so sorry. Sending so much love,” wrote Jennifer Aniston, who added a broken-heart emoji.
“I’m so sorry, Jen, but what a beautiful note and what a beautiful, beautiful good girl. Sending all our love,” wrote Garner’s “Alias” co-star Greg Grunberg.
“these furry beings bring so much goodness,” wrote Tracee Ellis Ross, who added emoji of dog footprints and hearts.
Garner brought Birdie into the family’s home in honor of Violet Affleck’s 10th birthday.
“My eldest was 2 and decided she needed her own dog, and she talked about it all the time,” Garner revealed during a joint appearance with Birdie on the YouTubeseries “WeWalkDogs.”