“Forever the Prince of Peace,” the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback said of the canine

Russell Wilson with his dog Prince.

Russell Wilson is saying goodbye to one of his beloved pets.

In a social media post shared Thursday, Jan. 16, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, 36, announced the death of his dog Prince.

“‘Prince’ 12 years ago you came into my life. I got you my rookie year & you have been a blessing to our family with so many memories, hugs and kisses from our 4 kids and us,” the caption to his Instagram carousel began.

His cover photo was a picture of him and his wife Ciara, 39, both snuggled up on the floor with the canine.

Wilson previously told PEOPLE their family included three Great Danes and one “fierce” senior Malti-poo. In May 2022, they added a new puppy named Bronco as a Mother’s Day gift to the “Body Party” singer.

In addition to the couple’s fur babies, the NFL star and the “Goodies” singer are parents to Sienna Princess Wilson, 7, Win Harrison Wilson, 4, and Amora Princess Wilson, whom the couple welcomed on Dec. 11, 2023.

Ciara also has son Future Zahir Wilburn, 10, from a previous relationship.

“You will forever be a part of us,” Wilson continued of Prince, adding that Thursday “was a hard day” for their family.

The pro athlete also shared that Prince overcame a lot in his 12 years — including surviving cancer twice.

Russell Wilson and his dog Prince.

“Heaven got a good one! Forever the Prince of Peace. Love you,” he concluded.

Speaking to PEOPLE in May 2019 for the Banfield Foundation’s Safer Together initiative in an effort to provide more resources to pet owners in abusive situations, Wilson fondly discussed how his dogs always included themselves in family activities — even when he and his wife tried having alone time.

“The great Danes just want to lay on your lap all the time,” the football star told PEOPLE. “Ciara and I will be trying to have a date night, watching a movie, and all of the sudden there’s three great Danes laying across our laps.”

After noting that his pets never missed an opportunity to cuddle, he said when it came to the Banfield Foundation, his goal was “to help people through tough situations, [and] to make sure they feel safe and can keep their family together.”

Losing Prince wasn’t the first time the Wilsons have said “goodbye” to one of their fur babies.

Around the time the family got Bronco, who her kids nicknamed “Bronco Love Brownie,” the “Ride” singer reflected on her late dog Tyson, by posting throwback pictures and talking about how bittersweet it was to have a new dog in the house.

“Losing Tyson was hard. I had him for almost 17 years. He will always be in our hearts,” she wrote while posting an old picture of her dog relaxing on her baby bump.