Iconic comedian and T.V. presenter Paul O’Grady, known for his love for dogs posted about one of them just days before his passing.
Just days before he passed away on Tuesday night at the age of 67, Paul O’Grady wrote on his website about the loss of one of his cherished dogs.
The comedian passed away this week “unexpectedly but peacefully.”
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It was well known that O’Grady adored anything with fur or feathers. He and his spouse kept a variety of creatures in a farmstead in Kent, including four dogs, goats, lambs, chickens, and barn owls.
The popular comedian’s final social media message a few weeks ago was appropriate and expressed his affection for his pets in great detail. He told his 700,000 fans that one of his favorite pigs, Tom Tom, had passed away.
“Got back from a week in Newcastle playing Miss Hannigan in Annie to find that Tom Tom, one of my pigs had been put to sleep. I knew it was coming as he’d been diagnosed with a tumour but even so it’s awful when you lose a pet. He was the cheekiest of the gang and one of the other pigs who was obviously very fond of him is now depressed and gone into mourning and there’s those who say that animals don’t have feelings. On a lighter note I’m thoroughly enjoying playing Hannigan again after so long especially with a truly amazing and lovely cast. Next stop Edinburgh,” he wrote.
O’Grady was an ambassador for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and the organization has paid tribute to him as both a “devoted animal lover and a champion for the underdog.”
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His “razor-sharp humor and perpetual generosity and warmth” were lauded by the organization.
“Battersea will forever remember Paul as a devoted animal lover with the biggest heart, who fell head over heels in love with every dog he met at our centres. Paul will always be associated with Battersea and we are truly saddened to have lost such a true friend and huge part of our charity. Paul had an extremely hands-on approach as a Battersea Ambassador and has been fundamental in helping our charity to communicate important campaign messages. He was a champion for the underdog and would do anything to ensure all animals live a healthy and happy life. He will be dearly missed,” Battersea chief executive, Peter Laurie said.
“It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening,” said Andre Portasio, the animal activist’s husband.
Thousands of condolences have been sent in from both celebrities and admirers around the world, including Carol Vorderman and Lorraine Kelly. Fans have lamented and voiced their shock in the comments section of O’Grady’s farewell post.
After the first series of ITV’s multi-award-winning For The Love Of Dogs was filmed there in 2012, the beloved comic joined the organization’s board of directors as an advocate. He then revealed his “passion for all things dog” over the course of the show’s eleven subsequent seasons, according to the foundation.
At the 2018 National Television Awards, O’Grady received recognition for the contribution For The Love Of Dogs made in aiding stray animals in the UK find permanent homes.
