Jennifer Garner’s Dog Died - But Didn’t Let Go Until Daughter Violet Came ‘Home From College'

Jennifer Garner and her family are mourning the loss of their beloved furry friend.

The 52-year-old actress took to Instagram on Wednesday to reveal to her followers that her beloved golden retriever Birdie has sadly passed away.

According to Jennifer, she suddenly found out the pup was “very ill” and “at the end of her life” when she took Birdie to the vet after she skipped a meal on Thursday — something that was out of the norm:

“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 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.”

So sad. Thankfully, all of Jennifer and Ben Affleck‘s kids got to say goodbye — even Violet. The 18-year-old college freshman attends Yale University but got home for the Thanksgiving holiday before Birdie died. Jennifer believes their dog wanted to wait for her “person,” Violet, to return before letting go:

“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.”

The 13 Going On 30 star went on to say Birdie “lived a happy dog life”:

“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’s clear Birdie was so loved and will be missed so much. We are sending love and light to Jennifer and her children after this devastating loss. Check out the tribute (below), which features pictures and videos of Birdie lounging on the couch with Jennifer and wearing glasses: