Actor Christopher Meloni is mourning the loss of his cherished dog, Scotty, who passed away at the age of 14. Known for his powerful roles on screen, Meloni showed a deeply personal side in a heartfelt Instagram post honoring the rescue pup that became a beloved member of his family.
“He began as a rescue pup from Kentucky,” Meloni wrote, recalling the day he, his wife Doris Sherman Williams, and their two children, Sophia and Dante, brought Scotty into their home. “The kids named him Scotty, I wanted to name him Biscotti…the kids won.”
Scotty was more than just a pet—he was family. Meloni shared that over the years, the border terrier had developed a personality all his own, earning affectionate nicknames like “Little Mister,” pronounced playfully as “Lidder Midder.” In Scotty’s final months, Meloni found himself calling him simply “Puppy,” a nostalgic term filled with love and the hope of holding onto joyful memories just a little longer.
The actor revealed that Scotty had been diagnosed with cancer and given just one month to live—but in true fighter fashion, Scotty gave them three. “He was a giver,” Meloni wrote. “Fourteen years was a good run, and in the words of Jon Stewart, ‘In a world of good boys, Scotty was the best.’”
Accompanying the tribute were touching family photos: Scotty trailing behind Sophia and Dante on a walk, sharing selfies with Meloni, and rolling happily on the floor—each frame capturing a chapter in the life of a dog who had brought immeasurable joy.
Longtime friend and Law & Order: SVU costar Mariska Hargitay shared her condolences in the comments: “Sending you love my friend. Rest in peace sweet Scotty ✨.”
In past interviews, Meloni had spoken openly about how much Scotty meant to him. In a PEOPLE interview from August, he described how adopting Scotty changed his household. “You get an interaction with another living being… and it touches this heart from a different place,” he said.
Meloni loved to joke about Scotty’s unique appearance, likening him to “a bassist from a 70s hair metal band” and teasing, “I swear he wears black eyeliner. I’ve never caught him putting on makeup, but if I sent you a picture, you’d go, oh my, he’s wearing makeup.”
Despite the laughs, it was clear how deeply bonded they were. Meloni described Scotty as independent, affectionate on his own terms, and grateful for even the simplest things like walks and mealtimes. “That’s when you’re best friends,” he said.
“It is never easy… Godspeed Lidder Midder,” Meloni concluded in his tribute. For anyone who has loved and lost a pet, the words ring true. Scotty may be gone, but he leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and the quiet comfort that only a rescue dog can give.
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