Christina Aguilera's tribute to her 17-year-old dog who died will make you weep

If you're a pet owner, you'll be well aware how important a role that an animal can have in your life - often being with you through major life changes, births, deaths and break-ups in a way that no other friend can be.

That was the case with Christina Aguilera's Papillon dog Stinky, who she unfortunately had to say goodbye to last week.

The 'Dirrrty' singer posted an emotional tribute to her 17-year-old pet on Instagram, calling the dog her "roadie through the tours...breakups...life’s many ups and downs...my 1st baby before I had any babies" and revealing that she had to make the 'hard decision' to put him down.

Watch it below:

I had to finally make the hard decision to put my beloved Stinky ðŸ¦ŠðŸ¾ðŸ–¤ðŸ'” down last night after an amazing 17 years together! You were my roadie through the tours...breakups...life’s many ups and downs...my 1st baby before I had any babies...The one and only forever ðŸ''â˜ðŸ¼ðŸ™ŒðŸ¼ RIP, Stinky... Run free and with no more misery ðŸ'«ðŸ™ðŸ¼ðŸ™ðŸ¼

A post shared by Christina Aguilera (@xtina) on Jan 5, 2018 at 10:06pm PST