Bruiser Woods, ‘Legally Blonde’ Chihuahua Star, Dies at 18

Bruiser Woods, the beloved Chihuahua star of  the “Legally Blonde” movies, has died. He was 18.

Also known as Moonie, the pint-sized pooch’s human co-star, Reese Witherspoon, confirmed his death in an emotional Instagram post on Friday.

“With a sad heart, I have to let all the #LegallyBlonde fans know that Bruiser Woods (also known as Moonie) passed away yesterday,” the actress wrote, along with a photo of them together from the film.

“He was a sweet little Chihuahua who was very loved. I will never forget all the days we spent together … I’m sure his tail is wagging in the sky. Sending love to his trainer, the wonderful @tailsticks #RIPBruiser.”

http://www.instagram.com/p/BC0o1hMihbx/?taken-by=reesewitherspoon

Bruiser’s trainer, Sue Chip, also posted to Instagram on Thursday, saying: “On this day – a day of ‘throwbacks’ I give you one of the greatest little dogs…’Moonie’ of ‘Legally Blonde’ fame. I’m sad to say that this morning in Los Angeles he left us. He was a whopping 18 years old. I remember the day I brought him home as a puppy.”

Bruiser was catapulted to fame as a mere pup in the 2001 hit comedy “Legally Blonde,” playing Elle Woods’ (Witherspoon) trusty sidekick and lap dog as she struggled to win back her ex-boyfriend by earning a law degree.

The pink designer clothes-wearing dog is featured even more prominently in the film’s 2003 sequel, “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde,” as Witherspoon’s character attempts to reunite Bruiser with his mother so that she can attend Elle’s wedding.

Much to her horror, Elle discovers that the owner of her dog’s mother is a cosmetics company that uses her for “testing” — and that her law firm represents the C’est Magnifique Corporation.

Along with starring in the two cult comedies, Bruiser also joined Witherspoon on the red carpet in 2010, when she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (pictured below).

In human years, Bruiser was 88 at the time of his death.