In a heartbreaking announcement, Tom Brady and his ex-wife Gisele B??ndchen revealed the passing of their beloved family dog, Lua, on Saturday. The former couple took to Instagram separately to share their tributes and memories of their furry companion.

Brady, the 46-year-old seven-time Super Bowl champion, posted two Instagram stories to commemorate their loss. The first story featured a touching photo of their children, 14-year-old Benjamin and 11-year-old Vivian, holding Lua. The caption read, "We love you Lua RIP," accompanied by heart emojis, a prayer emoji, and a sparkle emoji. The second photo showcased Lua basking in the sun, with the caption, "Forever in our hearts," along with a red heart emoji.

Following Brady's Instagram stories, B??ndchen, the 43-year-old supermodel, shared her own tribute to their furry friend. B??ndchen's post included a 10-picture carousel, beginning with a heartfelt photo of herself holding Lua. The carousel featured many playful moments between Lua and the children, capturing the joy Lua brought to their lives. B??ndchen captioned the post, both in English and Portuguese, "Our little Lulu, our guardian angel, is gone to heaven. She will forever live in our hearts. We already miss her sooooo much! #unconditionallove RIPLua."

Lua, a Pitbull mix, had been an integral part of their family since Brady and B??ndchen adopted her. In fact, she even made an appearance in a 2014 Ugg commercial alongside Brady. The loss of Lua comes during a challenging time for the family, as Brady and B??ndchen finalized their divorce last fall. B??ndchen spoke about the difficulties of the separation earlier this year, sharing that it has been tough for her family. "It's been a lot - in every area of my life," she said. She emphasized the importance of navigating life's twists and turns while doing the best they can given their circumstances.

Since their separation, B??ndchen has resettled in Miami with their children, Vivian and Benjamin. Meanwhile, Brady has been focusing on creating memorable moments with his children to help them cope with the loss. He shared photos of the trio skiing with the caption, "I'll tell you one thing, it's always better when we're together."

Brady's passion for dogs and animals is well-known, as he has actively volunteered at animal shelters in the past. One former teammate, Logan Ryan, had the opportunity to volunteer with Brady at animal shelters during their time together with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ryan's wife took to Instagram to share a heartwarming story about Brady's dedication to making a difference for animals and bonding with his children over their shared love for animals.

It is evident that Lua held a special place in both Brady and B??ndchen's hearts. Despite their divorce, they came together to honor and remember their beloved pet. Lua's memory will forever live on in their hearts and the cherished moments they shared as a family.