Shannen Doherty, renowned for her roles in the immensely popular series “Beverly Hills, 90210” and the witchcraft fantasy “Charmed,” passed away at 53. Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and fought bravely against the disease for many years. Her dog Bowie was the first to detect her cancer.
“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty,” her publicist Leslie Sloane stated. “On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease. The devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie. The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace.”
Shannen Doherty first captured the public’s attention in 1990 by portraying Brenda Walsh on Fox’s “Beverly Hills, 90210.” As part of the iconic Walsh family, alongside her twin brother Brandon, played by Jason Priestley, Doherty’s character was a fresh-faced brunette from Minnesota navigating the glamorous and often tumultuous world of Beverly Hills. The show’s depiction of the contrasts between the down-to-earth Walsh family and their peers’ affluent, often dramatic lives struck a chord with audiences, making it a defining series of the 1990s.
Following her success in “Beverly Hills, 90210,” Doherty continued to build her career with a prominent role in “Charmed,” where she played Prue Halliwell, the eldest of three witch sisters. Her performance in the series earned her a dedicated fan base and solidified her status as a beloved figure in television.
Jason Priestley, her on-screen brother from “Beverly Hills, 90210,” expressed his deep sorrow, recalling their years of working together and bond.
“Shannen was an incredible talent and a remarkable person,” Priestley said. “She faced her challenges with courage and grace and will be deeply missed.”
Bowie: The Dog Who Detected Shannen Doherty’s Breast Cancer:
Can dogs detect cancer? Before Shannen Doherty, the former star of “Beverly Hills, 90210,” was diagnosed with breast cancer, her loyal dog, Bowie, was the first to sense that something was amiss. Doherty shared in a preview of an upcoming episode of Entertainment Tonight (video can be viewed below) that Bowie exhibited unusual behavior by obsessively sniffing a specific spot on her right side.
“She would obsessively sniff right here on my right side for a long time before,” Doherty revealed. “So, it made sense when I got diagnosed.”
“I had breast cancer that spread to the lymph nodes, and from one of my surgeries, we discovered that some of the cancer cells might have gone out of the lymph nodes,” Doherty explained during her ET interview. “So for that reason, we are doing chemo, and then after chemo, I’ll do radiation.”
“When I got back from surgery, [Bowie] again was kind of right in this area,” she recounted, gesturing towards her right side. “Then when I had my first chemo, she would sniff my entire body up and down. And she was always protective before, but she has become this crazy, protective dog. It’s hard to get close to me when she’s around.”
Doherty shared a touching Instagram post featuring “Ms. Bowie” lying beside her in bed. She opened up to her followers about her chemotherapy struggles and how her dog’s unwavering presence has been a comfort.
“Each person’s cancer journey is different. For me, chemo has been terrible, and believe me, we have tried almost everything. So, days like this have become a bit of the norm. I’m learning that it’s ok to fall into bed and give in to exhaustion, nausea, or aches,” Doherty wrote. “I’ve learned a lot of that through all the beautiful people who have shared their personal stories with me on Instagram.”
Shannen Doherty’s story highlights the profound bond between humans and their pets and how Bowie’s intuition played a crucial role in her health journey. Bowie’s protective instincts and comforting presence was a beacon of hope and support during one of the most challenging times of Doherty’s life.
Rest In Peace, Shannen. You were an amazing actress and will be missed. We’re sending out our heartfelt condolences to your family and friends during this difficult time. May we all unite in the hope and determination to see cancer eradicated from this earth.
Click the video below to watch her interview:
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Featured image credits: Shannen Doherty screenshot via YouTube video screenshot here and her beautiful dog Bowie via YouTube video screenshot here. Rest In Peace.
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