Jennifer Aniston has welcomed a new member into her family — and he’s already stealing hearts. The beloved Friends actress announced over the weekend that she’s adopted a rescue puppy from a Los Angeles animal shelter. But what’s capturing the world’s attention isn’t just the pup’s adorable face — it’s his name: Mat, a simple, three-letter tribute to Aniston’s late friend and co-star, Matthew Perry.

“I’d like everyone to meet Mat,” Aniston wrote in a touching Instagram post that quickly went viral. “He’s a little bundle of love, mischief, and joy — and yes, his name is Mat. For someone very special.”

The post included several heartwarming photos: Mat curled up on a soft gray couch, happily chewing on a toy shaped like a coffee cup — a subtle and emotional nod to Central Perk, the fictional café where Aniston and Perry, as Rachel and Chandler, shared countless iconic Friends moments.

A Tribute That Feels Right

Matthew Perry, who tragically passed away in 2023, was not only a co-star but one of Aniston’s closest confidants. Their decades-long friendship survived fame, personal struggles, and the pressures of being part of one of the most-watched sitcoms in television history. For Aniston, naming her new puppy after him was more than symbolic — it was a way to keep his memory alive.

In an exclusive phone interview with Entertainment Today, Aniston said, “From the moment I saw him, something just clicked. There was this little look in his eyes — playful but kind of cheeky. It reminded me of Matty. The mischief, the charm, that twinkle.”

She added, “Calling him Mat just felt natural. It’s my little way of keeping Matthew’s memory close — but also celebrating the love and laughter he brought to all of us.”

A Rescue With a Mission

Mat was adopted from Paws and Hearts Rescue, a Los Angeles–based nonprofit dedicated to finding homes for abandoned and special-needs animals. The scruffy terrier mix is described by the shelter as “a spark plug in a tiny body” — full of curiosity, energy, and endless affection.

According to Aniston, Mat has already made himself at home. He enjoys sunbathing by the windows, playing fetch with her other dogs, and, in true Friends fashion, sneakily swiping bites from her sandwiches.

“He’s got sass, that’s for sure,” Aniston said with a laugh. “He already knows how to steal the spotlight.”

Grief, Healing, and Laughter

Since Perry’s untimely death, Aniston has spoken candidly about the grief and emotional toll it has taken. In previous interviews, she’s expressed how deeply she was affected, and how the Friends cast has stayed close in the aftermath, supporting each other through what she called “a grief you don’t really know how to prepare for.”

“Grief is strange,” she said in her recent interview. “It comes in waves. But then something like this happens — this little life walks into yours, and you realize there’s still so much love to give.”

Mat, it seems, is part therapy, part tribute — a living reminder of joy, resilience, and friendship.

Fans React

Social media quickly lit up with love and admiration for Aniston’s gesture. Thousands of fans left heartfelt comments on her post, many noting how perfectly the tribute fits.

“This is the sweetest tribute ever,” one user commented. “Mat would be proud.”

Another added, “I’m crying at how perfect this is. Chandler Bing would absolutely approve.”

Even animal advocacy groups applauded the move, noting that Aniston has long been a voice for rescue adoption. Her household already includes dogs Clyde, a Schnauzer mix, and Lord Chesterfield, a white shepherd she adopted during the pandemic.

“I always say my house has more fur than furniture,” Aniston joked. “And that’s how I like it.”

Using Her Platform for Good

Beyond the tribute, Aniston also used the moment to advocate for rescue pets.

“There are so many little souls waiting for homes,” she wrote. “If you’re thinking about it, visit your local shelter. You never know — you might just meet your Mat.”

Her message struck a chord with fans, animal lovers, and advocates alike. The Los Angeles shelter where she adopted Mat saw a surge in inquiries and online traffic within hours of her announcement.

A Lasting Legacy

Jennifer Aniston’s tribute isn’t just about honoring a lost friend — it’s about carrying on the spirit of someone who brought laughter, love, and vulnerability to millions. Through Mat, she has turned grief into action, memory into life.

As she put it, “Matthew had a huge heart. He struggled, yes, but he loved deeply. He made us laugh like no one else. This little guy — this silly, happy dog — somehow reminds me that joy is still here.”

It’s a reminder, in the soft thump of paws on hardwood floors and the wag of a tail, that love — like laughter — never really leaves.