Tom Hardy has cut out a niche for himself as Hollywood’s latest go-to guy for playing tough, frequently filthy men. But even dirty badasses love their dogs, as Hardy recently reminded the world, penning a long letter of tribute to his beloved pooch, Woody, who died earlier this week at the age of 6.
Hardy recounts the story of rescuing Woody (full name: Woody Woodstock Yamaduki Hardy, the ”Yamaduki” part apparently referring to the time he “yammed” one of his own “dookies”) while filming his 2012 film Lawless. The labrador mix became Hardy’s constant companion, appearing on red carpets, Time’s list of the world’s most influential animals, and even making a brief appearance in Peaky Blinders. Unfortunately, Woody developed polymytosis roughly six months ago, and died on Monday.
Hardy—who’s normally a pretty private guy—decided to honor his canine friend by sharing his reflections on his time with him with the world. “Above all I am completely gutted,” he writes, close to the letter’s conclusion. “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.”
No, shut up, you’ve got something in your eye. *sniff*