Sad news for comeback kid Mickey Rourke as he heads to the Oscars this weekend; the actor’s beloved chihuahua, Loki, passed away on Monday night at the age of 18.

The tough star, who is up for a Best Actor Academy Award for his role in The Wrestler has credited his pets with saving his life, claiming they helped him through his darkest days.

The actor spent years in the Hollywood wilderness after countless run-ins with police and hot-headed rows with movie executives, leading to the downfall of his big-screen career.
He hit rock bottom his split from ex wife Carre Otis, and even though he claims he didn’t consider suicide, Rourke admits he wished he could hide from his personal pain.

In a candid interview for Barbara Walters Oscar Special, Mickey explains:

“The dogs were there when no one else was there. I think I hadn’t left the house for four or five months, and I was sitting in the closet, sleeping in the closet for some reason, and I was in a bad place, and I just remember I was thinking, ‘Oh, man, if I do this.’ And then I looked at my dog, Lowjack, and he made a sound, like a little almost human sound. I don’t have kids, the dogs became everything to me. The dog was looking at me going, ‘Who’s going to take care of me?’”

Mickey and Loki recently appeared in a PETA ad together.