The Pretty Little Liars star revealed on Monday, June 8, that her beloved Shih Tzu Maltese mix, Olive, had died after spending 17 years by her side.
“My sweet baby girl. You have been by my side for 17 years. You were my best friend. My first child. My whole heart,” Benson, 36, wrote in an emotional Instagram tribute filled with photos of the pair through the years.
In one touching photo, Olive could be seen resting on Benson’s chest as the two relaxed together on a couch in the sunlight.
“Most loyal loving kind fun and gentle baby I’ve ever met,” Benson continued. “Mommy will miss you. My heart is in a million pieces. Thank you for giving me the best 17 years of my life.”
The heartbreaking post quickly drew messages of support from Benson’s Pretty Little Liars family.
Lucy Hale remembered meeting Olive when she was still tiny and sent love to Benson during the difficult time.
“I know how much you loved her & will continue to,” Hale wrote. “Love you ash. I know this is tough.”
Keegan Allen also sent love, writing, “sweet girl,” while Tyler Blackburn left a broken heart emoji.
Pretty Little Liars executive producer and showrunner I. Marlene King shared an especially emotional message, writing, “My heart is breaking for you. I know she is chasing butterflies w Romeo and Juliet but the pain is so real. Love you so much.”
Other photos in Benson’s tribute showed Olive with a chew toy, being held over the actress’ shoulder like a baby, and curled up with Benson under blankets in bed.
Benson had spoken many times over the years about her close bond with Olive, as well as her Brussels Griffon, Walter.
“I feel like they’re more human than dog-like,” Benson told PEOPLE in 2018.
She said Olive was independent but loved to cuddle when she was in the mood.
The actress also revealed that Olive was a familiar presence on the set of Pretty Little Liars during filming. Before Walter joined the family, Benson often brought Olive with her to work.
“Olive would come with me and she’d always be at the soundboard,” Benson recalled. “I’d be filming and then I’d be getting pictures sent to my phone of Olive, like, doing all the little monitor things.”
For Benson, her dogs were more than pets. They helped her through stressful days and brought comfort whenever she came home from work.
“Coming home after a long day and being able to be with my dogs is the best thing ever,” she previously said. “You can’t ever be sad when you have a dog, ever. They make you in the best mood possible.”
Now, after 17 years together, Benson is saying goodbye to the dog she called her “best friend,” her “first child” and her “whole heart.”