Grab some Kleenex now, 'cause this is gonna hit you hard. Tom Hardy is a very private guy, but his dog Woodstock, aka Woody, was famous in his own right, so the actor decided to reach out with an emotional Tumblr post in honor of "the bestest friend ever."

You may have seen photos of Woody at film premieres, or watched him blissed-out with sleep on his dad's lap as Tom read a bedtime story for the BBC's CBeebies Bedtime Story program.

As Tom wrote in his post honoring Woody:

"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. He beat JAWS. Something we all thought was brilliant. He's been in peaky blinders. Legend everyone who met him loved him. He didn't have a bad bone in his body. All he knew was love."

The entire post is beautiful, starting with the story of how Tom first saw Woody running across a turnpike late one dark night in Georgia in 2011, and continuing with how much Woody changed his family's life, including his wife, actress Charlotte Riley, and two children:

"He was an Angel. And he was my best friend. We went through so much together.
Charlotte worked tirelessly with him to get him through a rough case of separation anxiety. He loved her like his Mum. And when she was pregnant he gaurded her fiercely."

Here's the part toward the end that is really going to affect you, especially if you've ever lost a beloved pet:

"I don't normally speak out about family and friends but this is an unusual circumstance. Woody affected so many people in his own right so with great respect to his autonomy and as a familiar friendly face to many of you, it is with great great sadness a heavy heart that I inform you that after a very hard and short 6 month battle with an aggressive polymyostisis Woody passed away, two days ago. He was only Age 6. He was Far too young to leave us and We at home are devastated by his loss 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.
To the bestest 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 of journey companions we ever could dream of having. Our souls intertwined forever.

A friend told me

He was special bro, a shining example of man's best friend. He burnt very very bright and, those that burn very bright sometimes burn half as long.

Thankyou Woody for choosing to find us. We will love you and be with you and you with us forever. Never ever ever forgotten. Your Boy tom xxx I love you beyond words. To the moon and back again and again to
Infinity and beyond. Run with Max now and the Angels. I will see you when I get there.
With all of me I love you. Always Thankyou for
Your love beautiful boy."

Run with the angels, beautiful boy. And here's the memorial video posted for Woodstock Hardy, set to "Young Hearts Run Free":Rest in peace, Woody. You were so very much loved.

[via: Page Six]

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