Shannen Doherty, known for her roles in Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed, passed away at 53 on Saturday, July 13, following a prolonged battle with breast cancer.
Doherty had first been diagnosed in 2015, achieving remission in 2017 before the cancer returned in 2019 and spread to her bones by November 2023, as reported by PEOPLE.
In interviews, Doherty credited her German Shepherd, Bowie, with sensing her illness even before her initial diagnosis. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight in 2016, she shared how Bowie would obsessively sniff her right side, prompting her to seek medical attention, stating, “It made sense when I got diagnosed.”
Bowie, who boasts her own Instagram account under missbowiedoherty, was frequently featured in Doherty's social media posts, including a recent birthday tribute in March. The account, active since October 2016, showcases Bowie's adventures and even a FaceTime session with another dog in December 2020.
Despite Bowie being a purebred gift from Doherty's ex, Kurt Iswarienko, she advocated strongly for rescuing animals. On her podcast, Let's Be Clear, she expressed her passion for dogs and criticized the practices of breeders, advocating instead for animal rescue initiatives.
Shannen Doherty's final wishes, shared on her podcast earlier this year, involved her beloved dog Bowie, emphasizing their deep connection even beyond her lifetime.
Leslie Sloane, Doherty's longtime publicist, confirmed her passing in a statement to PEOPLE on Sunday, July 14, highlighting her devotion to family and pets, including Bowie, during her final moments.
