Jennifer Garner Announces the Passing of Her Beloved Golden Retriever, Birdie
In a heartfelt tribute, actress Jennifer Garner shared the news of her nine-year-old Golden Retriever, Birdie’s passing, on her Instagram account on November 27th.
A Touching Farewell
Garner, who is known for her award-winning performances, expressed her sorrow in an emotional Instagram post, stating, “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.”
Birdie’s Final Days
Birdie’s health took a turn for the worse when Garner and her family took her to the veterinarian after she exhibited signs of illness. Describing Birdie as a “renowned foodie, [who] never missed a meal,” Garner recounted their disbelief upon learning that their beloved pet was gravely ill.
Garner poignantly reflected on Birdie’s final moments, revealing that the dog “hanged on” until her daughter, Violet Affleck, returned home from college for Thanksgiving. Garner shared, “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.”
A Life Filled with Wonder
Birdie was not just a pet but a beloved member of the Garner family. The charming Golden Retriever featured prominently in Garner’s YouTube shows, including “Books with Birdie”, where she enjoyed storytime, and “Pretend Cooking Show”.
Birdie’s compassionate spirit also reached the wider community when she served as a therapy dog at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, as revealed in a guest appearance on the YouTube show WeRateDogs’ “WeWalkDogs”.
A Special Gift
Garner shared that Birdie was a special gift given to Violet for her 10th birthday, a promise made when Violet was just two years old. She reminisced, “My eldest was 2 and decided she needed her own dog… When you’re 10, that’s the age that one might get their own dog. I thought she’d forget because she was just 2. But now we have Birdie.”
A Heartfelt Tribute
In closing her tribute, Garner remarked, “She lived a happy dog life and is now in the role she was born to play: angel girl.” The actress emphasized the profound joy that Birdie brought to her life, stating, “It’s a gift to love and be loved by such a creature as Birdie the Doggie.”
The Instagram post included cherished moments of Birdie, showcasing her playful antics, moments of being read to, and her admiration for a stained-glass window in their home.
