Australian actor Russell Crowe has taken to social media to share a touching tribute to his beloved pet dog Louis who sadly passed away on Thursday, March 30.

Tragically, the Gladiator star revealed to his followers on Twitter that the puppy died in his arms after being hit by a truck.

“This is Louis the Papillion. 16 months old. Tiny, cheeky, brave. He won my heart,” he wrote alongside a photo of the puppy.

“Unfortunately today, on the second anniversary of my fathers passing, Louis was hit by a truck.

“We tried to get him to the vet, but he died in my arms while I was telling him how much we loved him.”

Fans and fellow celebrities were quick to offer their condolences and messages of support following the actor’s loss.

The day was likely already proving to be a difficult one for the 58-year-old as it marked the two-year anniversary of his father’s passing.

At the time, Crowe took to social media to share the heartbreaking news with fans and loved ones, revealing his “dear old man” had passed away.

“I arrived back in the bush last night,” he wrote.

“Today, although the sun is shining and the torrential rain has abated, this date will forever be tinged with sadness. My dear old man, my beautiful dad, the most gentle of men, has passed away.

“I’m posting this because I know there are people all over the world whose heart he touched and whose ribs he tickled with his sparkly eyes and his cheeky attitude to everyone and everything, and this is probably as efficient a method as any to pass on the news.”

It was later revealed that Crowe’s father passed while on a flight from Sydney to Coffs Harbour.

7News revealed that a doctor and several crew members attempted to resuscitate him, however, he couldn’t be saved.

“They basically gave him CPR for who knows how long … probably 18 to 20 minutes,” fellow passenger Andrew Fraser told 7News.

“They worked tirelessly and continued after the flight had landed.”