Tom Hardy's love of dogs is well documented, and the world absolutely melted when the London-born actor took his canine companion, Woodstock, to the premiere of the film Legend back in 2015.
Credit: PA
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Along with fellow actor Jessica Chastain, Hardy rescued Woodstock back in 2011, then promptly took him to a pet shop to pick up some toys, food and a collar.
Speaking to Vulture in 2014, the actor said: "We were in Atlanta, Georgia, doing Lawless, and he was in the motorway. We almost ran him over with a Prius.
"He ran off into the motorway, and Jess was like, 'No, no, no! You've got to go after him!' He was only 11 weeks old, and so we got hold of him and he became the on-set dog. Jessica's mom looked after him for me for about six months while he cleared quarantine, and then we brought him back to London, so he's my dog now.
"He goes on all my film sets now. He's a great on-set dog."
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Writing on his Tumblr page yesterday, Hardy added: "Never forget that night. It was wonderful. One minute he was almost dead next terrified. Then picked up by strangers. Then after he had a power nap in the car, he's walking with his bandy leg John Wayne strut under the strip lighted aisles of this massive pet store happy and playful."
But sadly, Woodstock has passed away.
Credit: Tom Hardy/Tumbr
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In a touching tribute, Tom posts: "He was an Angel. And he was my best friend. We went through so much together.
"He has been on many sets. Met many crews. Photo shoots, premieres, made many, many friends. He was #73 most influential animal in TIME magazine. I don't normally speak out about family and friends but this is an unusual circumstance."
Credit: Tom Hardy/Tumbr
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Hardy says the six-year-old dog died after a short battle with an aggressive polymyostisis. He says: "I am ultimately grateful for his loyal companionship and love and it is of some great comfort that he is no longer suffering. Above all I am completely gutted. The world for me was a better place with him in it and by my side."
The heartbreaking news has been shared by many on social media.
Hardy adds a final message: "To the bestest [sic] friend ever. To me and to a family who loved him beyond words and whom he loved without doubt more than I have ever known. Woody was the bestest [sic] of journey companions we ever could dream of having. Our souls intertwined forever."
RIP Woodstock.
Featured Image Credit: Tom Hardy/Tumblr
