A “heartbroken” Reese Witherspoon is mourning the death of her beloved French bulldog Pepper, who died of cancer earlier this week.
“Our sweet Pepper passed away yesterday,” the 44-year-old actress shared Tuesday on Instagram. “My goodness, she was such a loyal and devoted family member. I am so heart broken, but I am also deeply grateful for all the love and comfort she brought our family.”
Witherspoon’s 21-year-old daughter Ava Phillippe, whom she shares with ex-husband Ryan Phillippe, also posted an emotional tribute to their late pup, noting Pepper had succumbed to her months-long battle with an “aggressive cancer.”
“Our sweet girl, Pepper, passed away last night from an aggressive cancer, which she’d been battling for months now,” Ava penned. “Just when we thought she was getting better, things took a turn for the worst, and she passed peacefully, surrounded by those who love her.”
Ava called Pepper a “special girl,” who “enjoyed playing in the yard with our Labrador, Hank, and would make everyone laugh with her surprisingly speedy ‘zoomies’ around the house.”
“Pepper was simply the best, and I repeatedly told her how perfect I thought she was,” Ava continued. “This girl got me through so many tough times, including some of my teenage years, and I am forever grateful for our bond.”
Witherspoon added Tuesday how she believes Pepper is in “dog heaven,” where she is “chasing tennis balls, running through open fields of wild flowers and being the Queen that she is.”
In response to Witherspoon’s post, Elizabeth Banks, Julianne Moore, and Laura Dern, among others, offered their condolences.
“Sweetest Pepper. Such a heartbreak,” Dern commented.
“So sorry for your loss,” Banks wrote, while Moore shared a heartbreak emoji.
Witherspoon is also a dog mom to bulldog Lou and labrador Hank.