Jennifer Garner's Golden Retriever Birdie Dies After Vet Visit Revealed the Dog Was at the 'End of Her Life'

Mar. 15, 2025

Jennifer Garner.Photo:Jennifer Garner/instagram

Jennifer Garner/instagram

On Wednesday, Nov. 27, theDeadpool & Wolverineactress, 52, announced the death of her beloved golden retriever, Birdie, 9.

“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,” she began as the caption to anInstagram tributein Birdie’s honor.

According to Garner, the family began to notice signs last week when Birdie, “a renowned foodie” who “never missed a meal” stopped eating, so they took her to the doctor.

“We were surprised to learn that, not only was she very ill, she was at the end of her life,” the actress wrote.

Jennifer Garner and Dog Birdie.Jennifer Garner/ Instagram

Jennifer Garner/ Instagram

“The vet told us that dogs often hang on until their person comes home from college,” Garner said, referring to her oldest daughter,Violet Anne Affleck, 18. “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.”

One of Birdie’s favorite things to do was read, Garner said.

Her Instagram carousel showed a video of them lounging on the sofa as Garner read William Steig’sPete’s a Pizza. Both Birdie and Garner wore reading glasses in the cute clip.

Jennifer Garner and Dog Birdie.We Rate Dogs/ Youtube

We Rate Dogs/ Youtube

Garner often shared content of Birdie on social media, pointing out in Wednesday’s post that the family dog would be sure to make her way into episodes of herPretend Cooking Show.

Earlier this year, the movie star and Birdie appeared as guests onWe Rate Dogs' YouTube channelto discuss Birdie’s nine goals to achieve before she turned nine in May.

One of her goals was spending time at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles asa therapy dog.

“She wants to read some new books for kids. And speaking of kids, Birdie is a therapy dog,” theAliasalum said. “And she just got a promotion to work at Children’s Hospital L.A.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Jennifer Garner is spotted on a dog walk.TheImageDirect.com

TheImageDirect.com

“So she’s excited. She wants to have her first time at Children’s Hospital L.A. before she turns nine,” Garner continued. “She’s a very good dog, a very good girl.”

TheDaredevilstar also said, “Birdie wants to skydive. Everybody should once and she thought before she turns nine is a good time.”

source: people.com