Rising Hollywood star Lovi Poe is still mourning the demise of her pet dog Phoebe, who was put to sleep due to illness.

During a media conference in Quezon City on Feb 27, Lovi said she was in the US when she received a message that her Shitzu pet Phoebe had to be put down after a veterinarian diagnosed her with cancer. She returned to Manila to be with her dog for the last time.

"Seventeen years ko na kasama si Phoebe so parang nandoon talaga siya sa bawa't stage ng life ko. Okay na siya noong umalis ako and then pag-uwi ko nagde-deteriorate na siya. That's the reason why I came back to spend time with Phoebe, who has cancer," said Lovi, who was in tears as she recalled her pet dog.

Recently, Lovi said that Phoebe had a tumor on her face. "But before that, nagkaroon na siya ng tumor sa body niya. Then, the veterinarian told me she was given six months to live. But I was grateful she gave us two more years."

"So that was unexpected. But I was grateful na binigyan pa niya ako ng two more years. For people who have pets, they know they're not just animals," she said.

Lovi said that Phoebe was the puppy of her parents' dogs. She bought the parents' dogs from her first paycheck on GMA. 

On Instagram, Lovi recalled the final hours with her pet Phoebe.

"As I lay on the couch with Phoebe, Señorito started sniffing the balcony door as if inviting us to step outside and do what we usually do in these wee hours.

"Despite Phoebe’s frail condition, she managed to make her way to the door. I had the impulse to carry her to alleviate her efforts, yet it seemed she preferred to walk. And so I let her. 

"Our 4 am routine usually involved a cup of coffee, running shoes, and a newly curated morning playlist. However, yesterday, we sat in silence, the three of us together, awaiting the break of dawn. 

"I held Phoebe in my arms throughout the morning, and even Señor, usually prone to jealousy, remained quiet. It was a day where time seemed to stand still; I knew I was given a little bit more time. I was given the chance to be with her on her last sunrise.

"Though the moment was tinged with sorrow, she had brought us immense joy for 17 years. Originally given a mere six months to live, she surpassed all expectations and graced us with an additional two beautiful years.

"Run freely now, Phoebe, and jump around the clouds. Carry my love and kisses to my other cherished angels, Ross, Chibby, Chubby, and Seth," she wrote.

Last Thursday, Phoebe was cremated.

"I grew up with Phoebe. I grew up with my dogs. When you're younger, you don't know the value of things or life. When you're older, that's when I get closer. So now, I make time not just for your dogs but for the people you love. That's one thing I learned from this," she said.

Currently, Lovi owns only one dog, a Maltese named Senor, whom she plans to bring to the US. Lovi is scheduled to fly back to the US on Wednesday, Feb. 28, to attend to her commitments. Her husband, scientist Monty Blencowe is also based abroad.