Sherri Shepherd chokes up while saying goodbye to dog Lexi: 'We're going to miss you a lot'

"Dogs love you the same way God loves you: unconditionally."

Sherri Shepherd is opening up about her heartbreaking experience having to say goodbye to her sweet pup, Lexi. 

The television personality found herself getting choked up during Thursday’s episode of her talk show as she revealed that her family will have to put their Italian mastiff to sleep this week due to illness.  

"If you know me or you have followed me, you’ve all heard me talk about my beloved Cane Corso, she’s an Italian Mastiff, Lexi," Shepherd began. "And I just found out that she’s very, very sick. And the vet told us that it’s time for Lexi to go to heaven this week."

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

Related: Watch Sherri Shepherd totally lose it interviewing her crush Lenny Kravitz for the first time: ‘Oh my God!’

The actress explained that she and her son Jeffrey Charles Tarpley Jr. are still trying to process the news. "He doesn’t show his emotion," she said of her son, who is on the autism spectrum. "And I told him about Lexi and he said, 'Mom, I’m crying on the inside.'"

After all, Lexi has been a member of their family since Jeffrey was five years old. "I’ve had her for 12 years," Shepherd said as her eyes filled with tears. Her voice wobbled as she continued, "So I know that I gave Lexi a good life, but I’m so thankful for the 12 years of [her] being protective that she’s been in my life."

She noted that Lexi "truly exemplified the fact that 'dog' spelled backward is 'God,'" adding, "Dogs love you the same way God loves you: unconditionally."

And, despite Lexi’s "ferocious" exterior, Shepherd noted that she has always been a total softie at heart. "I would look at her and I’d go, 'She could take my face off in 20 seconds.' And that is when she would lick me," she said. "And every time I would pray she’d lay across my calves."

She concluded, "Lexi, you’ve been amazing and we’re going to miss you a lot, so thank you."

Related: Sherri Shepherd calls out Sunny Hostin over reaction to thirsting over 'hot' son: 'Don't get brand new on me'

Shepherd’s announcement comes three months after she revealed on Instagram that Lexi, who suffers from severe arthritis, had fallen down a flight of stairs and injured her hips and back legs. A follow-up post shared later that month confirmed that the pooch was on the mend, but that she would require monthly shots to manage her arthritis symptoms moving forward.

In addition to sharing the news on her show, Shepherd also paid tribute to Lexi on her Instagram account by posting a slideshow featuring images of Lexi throughout her life. "My monster babyy, my protector & my love," she wrote. "I am devastated to say goodbye."

Shepherd explained that while her heart was broken, she was "so thankful for 12 beautiful years" that she got to spend with her canine companion.

"When you get to Heaven, give your sister Ashley a big kiss," she added, referring to her late Labrador Retriever who died in 2021. "I love you so much Lexi. Thank you to everyone for all of your prayers and well wishes for Lexi."

Watch Shepherd pay tribute to Lexi in the clip above.