Sarah Michelle Gellar is encouraging Shannen Doherty’s fans to “honor” the late actress after her death.
The “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star posted a touching tribute via Instagram after her longtime friend lost her battle with breast cancer Saturday.
“How do you possibly find the right words to sum up 30 years of friendship?” Gellar, 47, wrote Monday. “I keep reminding myself it only hurts this much because, there was so much love.”
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She thanked her followers for their “kind words and support” during the tragedy, adding, “I love all the messages about how @theshando was important to you.
“So let’s honor her,” the “All My Children” alum continued. “More than anything, Shan loves animals, especially dogs. In her memory let’s support our favorite animal charities.”
Gellar gushed that “donating money, stopping by [a] local shelter and just offering cuddles and walks to animals housed there or even just tagging them in the comments so other people can learn about their work” would make Doherty happy.
The “I Know What You Did Last Summer” actress concluded her post by saying the actions would also bring “that deep throaty laugh we all loved.”
Many of Doherty’s loved ones and former co-stars have been mourning her on social media, from “Charmed” star Rose McGowan writing that she “can’t stop crying” to “Beverly Hills, 90210” cast member Tori Spelling posting broken heart emojis.
Doherty was diagnosed with cancer in 2015, announcing two years later that it was in remission.
The disease, however, returned in 2019 at stage 4.
Doherty, who was 53 when she died, spoke honestly about her cancer battle until the end, sharing “hopeful” feelings about chemotherapy in her final “Let’s Be Clear” podcast episode in June.
Gellar also gave occasional updates as she stood by her pal during the difficult times.
“She’s incredible,” she told “Access Hollywood” in 2023. “When they say a warrior, she is a warrior. She lives every day and she’s fighting.
“There are ups and downs and there are days that are harder than others and there are some days that are easy, but she’s doing great.”
The friends even quarantined together during the COVID-19 pandemic along with Gellar’s husband, Freddie Prinze Jr., and their two kids, daughter Charlotte, 14, and son Rocky, 11.
