Miranda Hart taking ‘time away from work’ after death of her beloved dog, Peggy

‘Peggy was my absolute rock and source of all those things,’ says actor and writer

(Rex Features)

Miranda Hart has said that she will be taking time off work in the wake of the death of her dog, Peggy.

On Monday, the actor and writer shared a moving post about the late Shih-Tzu Bichon Frise cross, who was the subject of her 2016 book Peggy And Me.

In the first of several photographs, Hart and Peggy, who passed away last week, are pictured snuggled on the sofa.

"Last week I said goodbye to my beautiful, darling dog Peggy," the 48-year-old wrote in the caption below.

"I share because I shared her with you when I wrote Peggy And Me and many of you took her to your hearts. 

"I have always been amused by and grateful for the pictures and gifts she was showered with. She used a blanket a fan gave her in Australia until the end."

Hart went on to reveal how Peggy was often recognised in the street, even when she was being walked by friends.

On one occasion, the actor revealed that Peggy was recognised when she wasn’t.

“Once, when I was walking her, and the woman looked at me said ‘oh my goodness... is that Peggy, I can’t believe it’," Hart recalled. 

"And then [she] looked at me again, when I thought I might be showered in a compliment, and she just said suspiciously ‘how come you get to walk her?’ I proudly and with a lot of internal giggles said “I am Peggy’s owner”.

Hart went on to praise the value of owning and caring for a dog. 

“Fellow dog owners will know the excruciating sadness of losing your loyal, loving best friend,” she said. 

"The pain mirrors the unique joy, connection, comfort and love they bring. And Peggy was my absolute rock and source of all those things. 

“Their uncompromising, unconditional loving presence is such an incredible gift. Enjoy your dogs as much as you can. They are great teachers.”

Hart concluded her post by revealing that she will be taking some time off work.

“I’m using this time to take some time away from work/posting to write and rest and see what the new chapter will be,” she said.

“Peggy - you were always by my side and always on my side. I will miss you every day.”

Hart’s post has been liked more than 135,000 times and received hundreds of supportive comments.

“So sorry for your loss Miranda,” one person wrote. “Our dogs are our absolute world. Sending you the biggest hug at this heartbreaking time.”