Benny The Dog, the real-life dog that is the mascot to Maximillian Dood’s YouTube and Twitch channel in the fighting game heydays of 2008 onward, has passed away.

The news was relayed in a special Thank You, Benny video from the Maximillian Dood YouTube channel. Maximillian said that while the news of Benny’s illness was mentioned to him earlier, he said that he and his wife JJ had to wait until they were in a point where they would even receive sympathy.

Benny was a huge part of Maximilian Dood’s channel for many years, featured in his past YouTube shows Assist me back in the late 2000s when Street Fighter IV and Marvel vs. Capcom 3 were at their prime. Benny was a star of many skits and videos in the channel, as well as making guest appearances at game tournaments and conventions. Benny was an integral part in making Maximillian Dood the biggest fighting game content creator on both YouTube and Twitch on a worldwide scale, because he’s cute and he works well as punchlines in skits and shorts. Plus, Benny’s face was merchandising gold; who wouldn’t want to buy a t-shirt with an iconic fighting game content creator dog that looks adorable as all heck?

My apologies on waiting to announce this. We needed to be in a point where we could even receive sympathy. Benny meant the world to me & JJ, and your kind words/fanart would always brighten up our day. Plz share any Benny memories with @maximilian_ & @pbandjaejae #ThanksBenny

— Maximilian Dood (@maximilian_) December 6, 2022

Rest in peace, FGC icon, and hope you enjoy doggie heaven.