Denise Richards Mourns Loss Of Dog Of 13 Years

Denise Richards isn’t just a sometimes caregiver to the kids Charlie Sheen had with subsequent wife Brooke Mueller — the Wild Things actress is also a major friend to animals as well as rescuer, and when her 13-year-old dog Hank passed on yesterday, the star was heartbroken.

Denise Richards has been vocally involved with the welfare of animals especially in the recent past, and it seems clear she truly cares for her charges and especially adored Hank.

When Hurricane Sandy hit, Richards and her daughters Sam, Lola and Eloise headed out to storm-ravaged Long Island to help with the glut of pets forced, like their humans, into shelters in the event’s devastating wake.

At the time, the star tweeted about the fate of many animals after Sandy, and Richards said:

“‘Day off tomorrow. Heading to an animal shelter, to help out. Over 600 rescued from the hurricane. My girls are coming to help too[.]”

Denise and daughters indeed volunteered at North Shore Animal League on Long Island, one of the areas hardest hit by the storm back in October.

After Instagramming a pic of Hank, the bulldog Richards owned until his death yesterday, the star lamented his loss and said she cherished her time with Hank while he lived, tweeting:

last night we lost our beloved Hank..I will miss him dearly,13 yrs old ..been there for me thru it all Best instagr.am/p/UxmpExSnIY/

— Denise Richards (@DENISE_RICHARDS) January 22, 2013

And it seems fans comforted Denise, as she followed up tonight by saying:

Thank you so much for your kind messages about Hank…it means alot to me. You guys are the best..so thoughtful kind…xo

— Denise Richards (@DENISE_RICHARDS) January 23, 2013

Can you relate to Denise Richards’ tweet to honor her beloved pet?