Usher is used to melting hearts with his moves and his music, but watching him love on a soft, sweet, cuddly dog is at least that adorable – and possibly more!

PEOPLE caught up with the 40-year-old singer recently and got the lowdown on his love for the pup he calls “his role dog.” And lots of great footage of him giving her belly rubs and kisses.

He refers to Scarlett as so many of us do our own pets, as an unwavering source of love and support.

“Some of my hardest times, she is always there with me.”

And although he notes that his sons, 10-year-old Usher V and Naivyd, 9, don’t walk Scarlett (apparently celebrity parents aren’t different than regular ones in this respect!), they have learned lessons of unconditional love for having her in their lives.

More about goldendoodles.

This “designer breed” has soared in popularity in recent years, but the goldendoodle first appeared in the 1960s – a cross between the poodle and the golden retriever (it is often called a “groodle” in Australia!) and the purpose of doing so was quite noble. The hope was to create suitable guide dogs for visually impaired people with allergies. Poodles do not shed and are therefore considered hypoallergenic.

Goldendoodles, however, are not predictably shed-free, though most do exhibit a low shed rate, and one MUCH lower than a purebred golden retriever. Over the years, they have been bred to three distinct sizes (standard, medium and miniature) and three coat types (straight, wavy and curly).

Goldendoodles are not recognized by any established breed association, but that hasn’t done a thing to tamp enthusiasm for them and in fact, they have gone on to become successful as guide, agility, therapy, search and rescue ad diabetic detection dogs, as well as beloved family pets, for they tend to possess wonderful qualities from each of their breed origins — the poodle’s intelligence and the retriever’s trainability.

They tend to be friendly, patient and loving of both children and strangers — and that super-soft and cuddly coat certainly doesn’t hurt!

Singer Alanis Morissette, 44, whose Grammy-winning 1994 album, Jagged Little Pill, became a musical production this year, is closing out the happy year on a sad note to which each of us can relate.

On Saturday, she announced to followers and fans via social media that her Chihuahua mix, Leelee, had passed away.

“Goodbye angel leelee. our souls are one. inconsolable. my girl. i love you,” the performer wrote on her Instagram account, alongside a photo of her cradling and kissing the small pooch.

Morissette often posts images of her canine family on her accounts, including the below, which appeared on Twitter a couple of weeks ago.

i love you lee. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/fYpVpQy6lp

— Alanis Morissette (@Alanis) October 17, 2018

This lovely shot of Morissette and Leelee was posted just 10 hours prior to press time.

Morissette regularly posted sweet photos of Leelee with loving captions on her social media accounts.

Little Leelee is survived by her canine siblings, Boogs and Circus; all three are pictured in these sweet lockets in a tweet from May of this year.

COPING WITH THE LOSS OF A PET

Grief is a very personal journey and for those of us to whom pets are family, can be just as big a loss as when a human we love dies. This means the full acknowledgement of such a loss may take time. For some pet owners, honoring their pet may mean adopting a new dog right away, for others it could take weeks, months, or years. It is important that we respect the ways in which others go through this loss, even if it differs from our own.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, owners in mourning should be kind to themselves as they prepare for the “new normal” of a life without their beloved dog.

“Just as it took time to build the relationship with your pet, it will take time to get used to him or her not being there,” their website reads.

Seriously, look at this face.

Is it love at first sight? Do you want to take him home?

You’re in good company. Bacon’s more than 16,000 Instagram followers likely feel the same.

“Hey there young whippersnappers!” his IG reads, “I’m Old Man Bacon, but don’t you dare touch my beard! I’m a rescue Peke/Doxie/Chi, now get off my lawn!”

Bacon’s striking features — big, round green eyes, that great hipster beard and a winning smile (when he’s smiling) among them — are winning folks over. They give him an exceedingly human and wonderfully expressive face that we can’t get enough of.

Joy.

Surprise.

Irritation.

Zen.

Bacon’s many faces resonate. We feel these emotions, too. But don’t stress. Bacon’s family reports that he is a very happy guy. Per Get Leashed Magazine, Bacon was adopted more than a year ago and lives happily in Florida.

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Social media erupted with sorrow and sweetness as the public learned that Sam, one of the dogs who portrayed “Duke” in commercials for Bush’s Baked Beans had died.

Sam lived in Apopka, FL, with his owner, Susan. Neighbor David Odom’s post about Sam’s death went viral on Facebook, and Bush’s Baked Beans responded.

“We continue to be overwhelmed by fan interest and their love of Duke. The relationship between Jay and his beloved dog Duke is the embodiment of the BUSH’S brand, and has been a part of our family story for more than 20 years,” Bush’s Baked Beans wrote on Facebook on Tuesday. “During that time, we’ve worked closely with several dogs who portrayed Duke in our commercials, including Sam.”

The company says Sam hasn’t played “Duke” in recent years, yet they are “saddened by the news of his passing and are grateful to have had him depict Duke.”

“Because Duke is iconic to BUSH’S and so adored by our fans, we will continue to use him in our ads,” the company’s statement said.

David Odom shared a photo and wrote about Sam’s death on Facebook last week. He added that Sam’s owner trains animals to work in commercials.

“Sadly [Susan] had to euthanize Sam yesterday due to an aggressive cancer he was suffering from,” Odom’s post from June 28 reads. “She is as we are heartbroken…. He was a very special dog to all who ever knew or had the pleasure of meeting him. He is and will be missed,” Odom wrote.

Sam’s character “Duke” is known for making snarky comments to his “owner,” Jay, in the company’s commercials where he often attempts to leak the secret recipe.

There was an outpouring of messages for the lovable and famous dog on social media.

Duke, the bush’s baked beans dog died, so July 4th is CANCELLED.

— Katelyn (@katyhowellx) July 3, 2018

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Sully is the newest member of the Bush family!

Former President George H.W. Bush welcomed the yellow Labrador retriever to his Kennebunkport, ME, compound this week. Sully will be the 94-year-old’s new service dog. Sully and President Bush, a lifelong dog lover, reportedly hit it off quite well.

Bush aide Evan Sisley told Maine Public that Sully, who was trained by America’s VetDogs, can open doors, pick up items and summon help if needed, but “more than anything else, the dog will be a wonderful companion.”

A now-viral Twitter photo showed Sully relaxing at the feet of Bush and former President Bill Clinton, who visited the Maine estate on Monday.

Sully will join the rest of the pack as two Bush children — Neil Bush and Dorothy Bush Koch — together have five dogs in Kennebunkport.

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Squish was brutally abused at four months old. His injuries were grave and he was scheduled to be euthanized, but then one of his doctors stepped in and adopted him. After several necessary surgeries, Squish is chasing balls and bubbles and having a beautiful life. He looks a little different than other dogs, but it’s just one of the things that makes him special.

Follow him on Instagram here and/or Facebook, here!

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This is the moment we met. He was trying so hard to stay seated even though he desperately wanted to get out. I knew right away that he was coming home with me, so I took this video to always remember our first hello. Rescue dogs are the best dogs!! #NationalPetDay pic.twitter.com/XjWxPWGDPu

— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) April 11, 2018

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Actor Chris Evans is well known as superhero Captain America, but he’s also a vocal champion of rescue, devoting myriad social media posts to his dog, Dodger, whom he rescued while filming on location. Awhile back he shared a sweet reunion, as well, having returned home from working abroad. And for National Pet Day, the actor tweeted a heartwarming video of the very moment he and Dodger met.

The caption read:

“This is the moment we met. He was trying so hard to stay seated even though he desperately wanted to get out. I knew right away that he was coming home with me, so I took this video to always remember our first hello. Rescue dogs are the best dogs!! #NationalPetDay ”

WARNING/DISCLAIMER: There’s a little salty language in this (near the end)! And also a promo for Steve-O’s YouTube Red show, but we love this rescue story so much, we don’t care a bit. Good going, Steve-O! We wish you and Wendy a happy life together! ?

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Steve-O already had the nation’s ample street-dog population in mind when he arrived for his stay in Peru to film “Ultimate Expedition,” but after buying two bags of dog food and trying to make friends with a bunch of the puppers, he had no takers … until he met Wendy — and made a friend for life!

What a beautiful story!

Puddy was a part of Chrissy Teigen and John Legend’s family for a decade, and, along with “wife” Pippa, was oft documented on their social media updates. Yesterday, a tearful Teigen took to Instagram to let fans and followers know that the English bulldog had crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

“Today our baby, Puddy, has gone on to the pup heavens,” she wrote. “10 years ago, on May 30th, I found the dog that would be there for us through every up, down, new house, new city, new tour, new travel. He welcomed new pups and loved on new babies and new bellies. He was there for everything.”

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Today our baby, Puddy, has gone on to the pup heavens. John and I got Puddy in our first year of dating, when I convinced him half-birthday presents were a real thing. 10 years ago, on May 30th, I found the dog that would be there for us through every up, down, new house, new city, new tour, new travel. He welcomed new pups and loved on new babies and new bellies. He was there for everything. Every time I needed a taste tester, someone to kiss or needed to sob into his stinky rolls, he was there. It’s true what they say. We are their entire lives and it is the greatest shame that they can only bless us with a short spark of time in ours. I always knew I would lose a piece of me when he left us. I feel the hole now. I will love you forever, my boy. My heart aches. Thank you so much for everything, everything.

A post shared by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) on Mar 7, 2018 at 9:50am PST

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She went on to tell a bit of Puddy’s back story: she and Legend got him during their first year dating “when I convinced [John] that half-birthday presents were a real thing.”

She shared fun “wedding” photos, as well, from the day Puddy and their other bulldog, Pippa, were “married.”

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Her thoughts echo just about every other dog lover in the moments when we are faced with losing them:

“It’s true what they say. We are their entire lives and it is the greatest shame that they can only bless us with a short spark of time in ours,” she wrote. “I always knew I would lose a piece of me when he left us. I feel the hole now.”

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Lindsey Vonn had a challenging trip this week to the Winter Olympics in South Korea.

Celebrity athletes have harrowing travel stories, too. And a 24-hour travel saga can be quite exhausting. But at least the Olympic skier found lots to laugh about after traveling to South Korea with her dog, Lucy, in tow.

Vonn’s plane had been delayed, stretching the planned 14-hour trip to a long, drawn-out 24 hours, and she kept her followers in the loop, tweeting as she went.

Lucy, of course, kept her company. And when one follow inquired about how the dog fared during air travel, the proud dog mom bragged on Lucy’s chill nature while jet-setting and globe trotting.

“Oh, she’s been asleep this whole time,” Vonn tweeted. “Never barks or whines. She’s happy when she’s traveling, it’s pretty awesome.”

The fun began to happen later, however, when a photo of Vonn and Lucy began to circulate. In it, Lucy looks anything but chill. Vonn responded in kind.

After that, however, Team USA stepped in and made Lucy even more famous than she already is, hilariously so.