Tom Holland Pays Tribute to Beloved Canine Companion Tessa: ‘Forever in Our Hearts’

Tom Holland Mourns Death of Family Dog Tessa

Tom Holland John Phillips/WireImage

Tom Holland is grieving the loss of his beloved dog Tessa, who had been his loyal companion for almost ten years.

On Sunday, April 21, the 27-year-old Spider-Man actor took to Instagram to express his sadness. He posted a photo of Tessa with the caption, “Missing my lady ❤️.” Additionally, in his Instagram story, he shared another picture of the blue Staffordshire Bull Terrier, referring to it as “T-Day” and including a link to his father Dom Holland’s Patreon blog.

Dom, a writer, shared that in memory of Tessa, their beloved family dog, they planted a tree in the front yard and scattered her ashes. He described it as a tribute to the life of a special dog who had a significant impact on their family. Tessa was adored by everyone in the Holland family.

Tessa was adopted by Tom when she was a small puppy, and she became a part of their family. She grew up with Tom's parents, Dom and Nikki Holland, and his three younger brothers: Harry, Sam, and Paddy.

Introducing little Tess, the newest member of our family! In July 2014, he shared a photo on Instagram of the canine resting her head on his shoulder. #staffs

Tom Holland's beloved pup has been by his side for years, even as he quickly became famous after landing the role of Peter Parker in Captain America: Civil War in 2016. Whenever he could, he brought her to set and even FaceTimed her when he had to be away on location. In June 2017, Tom even took her to a press event in London for Spider-Man: Homecoming.

The English actor expressed his love for Tessa, describing her as an angel during a June 2017 event. He debunked the misconception that Staffies are dangerous, emphasizing that Tessa is not aggressive but rather the sweetest and most angelic companion one could have. Despite initially being scared of the cameras at the event, she eventually returned and enjoyed her time.

Although Tessa was usually well-behaved, she once distracted Benedict Cumberbatch. Tom revealed on The One Show in 2022 that Tessa often accompanied him to set, including during the filming of The Current War with Benedict Cumberbatch. During a serious scene involving a speech to extras, Tessa's presence in the sound stage caused a momentary diversion.

He shared, "Tessa is such a well-behaved dog. She can be on set without causing any disruptions. I was watching Benedict giving his all in his performance, and then I noticed that my dog seemed to be allergic to hay or something. She was sneezing uncontrollably, like every fiber of her body was involved."

Benedict tried to stay focused on his character, but eventually asked, "Can someone please take that dog out?" Tom apologized to Cumberbatch, and Tessa finally stopped sneezing.

Tom was inspired by Tessa and even based one of his performances on her. When he voiced a dog in Dolittle, Tom took Tessa to a screening in January 2020. He mentioned that Tessa helped him create the animated pup by saying, “I just based this character off of Tess, really. I just brought Tess to the studio and copied [her].”

Editor's P/S:

Tom Holland's heartfelt loss over his beloved dog Tessa is a testament to the profound bond that can exist between humans and animals. Tessa was not only a loyal companion but also a source of inspiration for Tom, shaping his performances and bringing joy to his family. Her absence will undoubtedly leave a void in their lives, but the memories and impact she made will continue to be cherished.

Moreover, Tessa's story highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership. By adopting a dog and providing her with a loving home, Tom and his family gave her a chance to live a happy and fulfilling life. In turn, Tessa enriched their lives with unconditional love, laughter, and companionship. Her legacy serves as a reminder to treat all animals with respect and compassion, recognizing the invaluable contributions they make to our lives.