Tori Spelling Mourns Pet Pooch

New mother TORI SPELLING is mourning the death of her beloved pet dog MIMI LaRUE, just a week after she welcomed new baby daughter STELLA into the world.

The pooch died from natural causes on Tuesday (17Jun08), aged 11.

Spelling tells People.com, "She was a star and a true lady, and she will be missed greatly. People everywhere knew her by name. I loved when fans wanted her over me. I felt proud."

The former Beverly Hills, 90210 star reveals the pug had battled medical problems for years, and she claims the pooch waited until she had given birth to Stella on 9 June (08), before dying.

Spelling adds, "I'm devastated. I'm convinced she waited around to make sure I had the daughter I always dreamt about before she left us."