Ava Phillippe has an adorable new pup in her life! The happy news comes just a week after Ava and her mom, Reese Witherspoon, announced that the family’s French Bulldog, Pepper, had passed away after a long battle with cancer on Oct. 20. In a photo posted to Instagram on Oct. 25, Phillippe introduced her new pup, Benji, to her followers, calling the rescue dog “a dream.” Read on to learn more about the Witherspoon-Phillippe family's new addition, and for more celebrity pets, meet Jennifer Aniston's Adorable New Rescue Puppy.
Phillippe, who adopted Benji from Utah’s Best Friends Animal Society, revealed that she had actually taken the sweet pup home on the very same day Pepper passed. While Phillippe and Witherspoon were both open about their grief over Pepper’s death, it’s clear that the arrival of Benji has been a bright spot for the family.
“He is the happiest, smartest boy, and I’m so grateful to be his person,” said Phillippe, 21, of her furry friend, noting that the Benji loves “squeaky toys, outdoor adventures, and anything he is allowed (or not allowed) to eat.”
While Phillippe admitted that she’s unsure what breed of dog Benji is, she said she thinks he may be a Border Collie mix and invited her followers to guess his breed, as well.
Despite being a relatively new addition to the family, it seems as though Benji and Ava’s pairing was just meant to be. “Even though we just entered each other’s lives, I feel like I’ve known Benji forever,” she wrote.
This famous family is one of many who've become new pet parents since the pandemic began. Read on to discover which other stars have recently brought home new pets. And for more pawsitively enchanting pups, check out these 50 Adorable Mutt Photos That Will Warm Your Heart.
1 | Panda—Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas
Instagram/pandathepunkPriyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonasadded a new member to their family during quarantine: adorable Husky/Australian Shepherd mix Panda! “We’re already in love,” Nick captioned a photo of the couple’s other two dogs getting to know Panda.
2 | Mr. Boogie—Kelly Osbourne
Instagram/kellyosbourneKelly Osbourne is head over heels for the latest addition to her menagerie of pets. On Oct. 20, Osbourne revealed to fans that she had adopted a cat called Mr. Boogie (nee Valentino). Mr. Boogie, who was abandoned in San Bernardino prior to Osbourne’s adoption, has continued to make progress in his new home, gaining a pound since she took him in. “I love him so much!!” Osbourne captioned a sweet video of the pair nuzzling.
3 | Stella—Henry Golding
Instagram/henrygoldingCrazy Rich Asians star Henry Golding has kept plenty busy during quarantine, thanks to new pup Stella. On Mar. 31, Golding announced on Instagram that he’d taken in the adorable dog to foster, telling his followers, “We found our perfect match.” And for more great pet content delivered to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
4 | Dexter—Dua Lipa and Anwar Hadid
Instagram/dualipaDua Lipa’s got some new rules at her house—but this time, they’re mostly related to training her new dog. The singer announced on Instagram that she and boyfriend Anwar Hadid had adopted a puppy named Dexter over the summer, calling the sweet pooch the couple’s “tiny best friend.” And if you want to live a healthier life, Owning This One Pet Can Help You Live Longer, Study Says.
5 | Tequila Sunrise—Miranda Lambert
Instagram/mirandalambertMiranda Lambert’s family of furry friends just keeps on growing! The “Settling Down” singer, who already owns multiple dogs and horses, revealed on Instagram that she and husband Brendan McLoughlin had scooped up a tiny ginger kitten from a highway this summer. The sweet little fuzzball, named Tequila Sunrise, was just about a month old when the pair found him, but “rode 9 hours back to Nashville with us and 3 dogs and was such a champ,” said Lambert, who’s since called the adorable kitten a “cute” and “vicious” addition to their family. And for pet-related loss this country singer recently suffered, check out Miranda Lambert Mourns the Death of Her Dog, "A Rock in Our Family."
