Liver Metastases Imaging: Practice Essentials, Radiography, Computed Tomography
All About Shannen Doherty's Dog Bowie, Who She Said Sensed Her Cancer Before She Was Diagnosed
Shannen Doherty had a unique bond with her dog Bowie.
The late star even credited her canine sidekick with detecting her cancer before her diagnosis.
The Beverly Hills, 90210 star died on Saturday, July 13, at age 53 after first being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. She said she was in remission in 2017, but the cancer returned in 2019. In November 2023, Doherty shared with PEOPLE that the cancer had returned and spread to her bones.
When she began speaking publicly about her cancer journey, Doherty told Entertainment Tonight in 2016 that she thought her dog sensed something was wrong with her before her 2015 diagnosis.
"She would obsessively sniff right here on my right side for a long time before," the Charmed star said at the time. "So, it made sense when I got diagnosed."
Shannen Doherty with her dog Bowie.Shannen Doherty/Instagram
Doherty most recently wished Bowie — who has her own Instagram account, missbowiedoherty — a happy birthday in a social media tribute post back in March. "Happy birthday to the best dog in the world. I love you to an obsessive point," her caption read.
Bowie posed outdoors and wearing a pink sweater that said "Security" on it in the set of photos.
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The earliest post on Bowie's personal Instagram account dates back to October 2016 and is packed with plenty of cute dog content.
The most recent post on the German Shepherd's Instagram account featured the dog FaceTiming with a fellow canine friend in December 2020.
Shannen Doherty's dog Bowie.Shannen Doherty/Instagram
Doherty, who was hosting her podcast Let's Be Clear up until days before her death, spoke often about Bowie, including during the final interview she did for the show, which was released on June 28.
Bowie was a pure breed given to the Little House on the Prairie alum by her ex Kurt Iswarienko, Doherty told the episode's guest, Katherine Heigl. Though she owned a pure breed, the late star was an advocate for rescuing animals.
Shannen Doherty.Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty
"I love my dog more than anything else in the world, I just wish she was not so high-strung, which is what you get from a lot of these breeders," Doherty told the Grey's Anatomy alum.
"You get the dog that's like a little off mentally, a little too aggressive. I would have 20 dogs running around my property [if they were rescues] versus...One who if she sees another dog she's gonna lunge and...Try to kill it."
She spoke out against kill shelters and encouraged people to rescue dogs, saying that by buying from a breeder, "we're taking away the lives of...Probably 10 dogs."
In a separate episode of her podcast in January 2024, Doherty shared that her final wishes for her remains involved Bowie.
"I want [my remains] to be mixed with my dog, and I want it to be mixed with my dad. I do not want to be buried and not cremated," she said at the time, adding that she was also interested in the idea of her ashes being used to "grow them into a tree."
The actress also had a love for horses, and once spoke about starting a foundation for them on her podcast with her friend and Charmed costar Holly Marie Combs.
Shannen Doherty in 2019.LISA O'CONNOR/AFP via Getty
Doherty's longtime publicist, Leslie Sloane, confirmed the actress' death to PEOPLE in an exclusive statement on Sunday, July 14.
"It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease," the statement said. "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."
DiagnosisRhabdomyosarcoma
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7 Cancer-Fighting Foods For Dogs, According To Vets
Broccoli is a yummy vegetable that's known for being a healthy, cancer-fighting food for dogs. This cruciferous vegetable is rich in glucosinolates, which break down into anti-cancer compounds, says Dr. Zacharias. "These compounds are involved in apoptosis (cell death) of harmful cells and help prevent angiogenesis (blood vessel formation)," she says. "This is important because we want to prevent blood vessels from growing in tumors, which then 'feeds' tumor growth."
To make it easy for your pup to consume, either cut raw broccoli into small pieces or steam it before serving. As with other ingredients we've listed here, careful moderation is important. Though it's a tasty snack in small quantities, too much of this cancer-fighting food for dogs can cause some gastro upset in pups, according to the AKC. Sprinkle it on top of your pet's meal as a yummy topper or offer small pieces as a treat. Or look for a dog food, like The Honest Kitchen Tender Turkey Stew, which includes broccoli in the recipe.
Supplementing a dog's diet with an antioxidant combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, taurine, lutein, lycopene and beta-carotene may result in decreased DNA damage and improved immune response, according to one study by Waltham Petcare Science Institute, a nutrition-focused organization funded by Mars Petcare. "In other words, the levels of antioxidants produced by the ingredients had a protective effect against DNA damage," says Dr. Sung. "It is not clear if supplementation with only one of these ingredients would have similar effects on the dogs' health. However, use of these ingredients together may provide a preventative measure against the development of cancer."
The best way to incorporate these ingredients is via fortified food, such as Victor Hi-Pro Plus Formula Dry Dog Food, or by adding a supplement, like VetriScience Immune Plus. That said, the same holds true about checking with your vet and reading labels carefully before supplementing your dog's diet.
Understanding cancer in dogsWhile some cancers are genetic, certain lifestyle circumstances can increase dogs' risks. But as our pups don't make (most) of their own calls, it's up to us to be responsible owners to keep pets as healthy as possible.
"For instance, secondhand smoke, sun exposure and hormone production are respectively associated with lymphoma, skin cancer and breast (mammary) cancer in dogs," says Sue Downing, DVM, a veterinarian and oncologist for the VCA Animal Specialty and Emergency Center in Los Angeles. "Therefore, cancer risk can be lowered by avoiding secondhand smoke, limiting midday sun exposure, and spaying female dogs at an early age."
Additionally, maintaining an ideal body weight reduces a dog's risk of developing cancer, according to Dr. Downing. That means it's incredibly important to feed your pup high-quality dog food and sparingly offer healthy dog treats.
That said, while no specific dog food will outright prevent cancer from developing, making some smarter choices can help your dog have a happy, healthy life and even lower your dog's chances of developing this disease.
Dog nutrition basicsLike humans, dogs are omnivores and require a similar balance of protein, carbohydrates and fats in their diets. A good rule of thumb when feeding your pet: Stick with high-quality foods that list whole foods in their ingredient panels. "The ideal canine diet should be made by a well-established manufacturer using common protein sources such as chicken or beef and containing grains including wheat, corn, and rice," says Dr. Downing.
This can generally be achieved with any commercially available dog food that meets AAFCO standards for your dog's life stage and breed size. However, you may choose to supplement their diet with whole foods from your own kitchen.
"If you feed kibble, you can improve the diet by adding a little lean [unseasoned] meat to it," says veterinarian Evelyn Kass, DVM, who specializes in pet nutrition. Just be cautious about chicken, she warns, since it is one of the top allergenic foods for dogs and can make dogs feel ill. If your dog has allergies or a sensitive stomach, stick to beef instead, and make sure to remove any bones with either.
Feeding your dog a whole, rounded diet complete with cancer-fighting dog foods is one way you can ensure that they live a long and healthy life. Make sure to also spoil them with lots of affection, plenty of play time and words of praise.
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