Rhianna Benson
Jennifer Garner and her children have been left grieving the loss of a beloved family member who sadly passed away earlier this week.
The American actress took to social media on Wednesday (November 27) to break the news to fans with a stream of heartbreaking photos.
The 52-year-old previously shared her Los Angeles home with children Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12 - all of whom she welcomed during her relationship with fellow actor and ex-husband Ben Affleck - and their beloved Golden Retriever, Birdie.
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The family adopted the canine pup when eldest child Violet was just 10, with Birdie having celebrated her ninth birthday earlier this year.
Shortly beforehand, Birdie appeared on Garner's much-loved YouTube channel 'We Walk Dogs', and was recently promoted to be a therapy dog at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Sadly, however, the movie star has tragically revealed this week that, after suddenly falling ill, their family pet passed away surrounded by her loved ones.
Sharing a selection of snaps of her former furry friend, the 13 Going On 30 actress penned a gut-wrenching tribute.
"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," she penned.
"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.
"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."
Though Garner opted not to go into specifics, it is highly likely that her eldest daughter returned home from Yale - where she attends university - to celebrate Thanksgiving with her family, after which Birdie sadly let go.
Describing the uber-loving temperament of her family pet, Garner continued: "Birdie 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."
It didn't take long for the messages of condolence to start rolling in from fans.
Taking to the comments of her post, one noted: "So sorry. It’s really not fair that they don’t live longer"
"I’m so sorry for your loss - don’t apologize for your grief. Our furbabies are our family," another went on.
A third wrote: "Dogs are earthside angels. Deepest condolences"
"Losing a pet is the most broken my heart has ever been…. But also the GREATEST love my heart has known," another continued.