In heartbreaking news that has stunned fans around the world, legendary country singer Willie Nelson is mourning the death of his loyal canine companion, Old Pal, who passed away quietly at the age of 20 last weekend. The golden retriever, often seen beside Nelson on tour buses, farm porches, and in countless candid photos, was more than a pet — he was family.

Sources close to the Nelson family told Shock News that the aging dog had been battling arthritis and kidney issues for the past two years, but no one expected his passing to come so suddenly. “Willie is shattered,” a close friend of the singer revealed. “Old Pal was with him through everything — the deaths of friends, late-night songwriting sessions, and his ongoing activism. He was Willie’s shadow.”

Old Pal reportedly died in his sleep on Nelson’s ranch in Spicewood, Texas, nestled beneath the willow tree where the two used to sit every sunset. “He just laid down and never got up,” Nelson said through tears during a private vigil held Sunday evening. “He waited until I came back from my show in Nashville. He held on for me.”

The two met in 2005, when Nelson rescued the then-young pup from an overcrowded shelter in Austin. “He looked at me, and I swear he smiled,” Nelson once said in an interview. “From that moment, he was mine and I was his.”

Fans around the world have flooded social media with condolences, sharing photos, artwork, and memories of the iconic duo. A Change.org petition is even circulating to immortalize Old Pal with a bronze statue outside the Willie Nelson Museum.

Though the loss is immeasurable, Nelson remains grateful. “He gave me 20 years of unconditional love,” he said. “I just hope he’s chasing rabbits in a field up there somewhere.”

Willie Nelson has canceled several upcoming appearances to grieve in private. A public tribute for Old Pal is being planned for later this month.