If you noticed anyone at work today who was a little down, maybe even shedding a few unexplained tears, they lost a very special part of their lives.

As this obituary in the Washington Post says, Gidget, the Taco Bell dog, has died.

Even if you’re not a Taco Bell fan, there’s still a chance Gidget meant a lot to your life. Fans of the Reese Witherspoon epic “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde” will remember Gidget as Elle Woods’ diminutive partner in lawyering.

It’s not often an animal gets an obituary in a national newspaper. Even rarer may be a public comment from an international company following the death of an animal. Upon Gidget’s death, Taco Bell issued a statement saying “Our deepest sympathies go out to her owners and fans.”

My love for Taco Bell really took shape during the height of the “Yo Quiero Taco Bell” era. Coincidence? I don’t think so.

Next time I’m making a run for the border, I’ll be sure to pour out a little Wild Cherry Pepsi for my lost homey. Actually, that stuff is tasty. Maybe I’ll just eat an extra cheesy gordita crunch for Gidget.