Tom Hardy loves dogs. He has owned them, co-starred with them, posed shirtless with them, cried with them, hugged them, and kissed them. He has also spoken about them—at length!—in many interviews with press over the years. So in celebration of the actor’s new PETA adoption campaign—(he is doing public service with them, too)—which shows him in loving embrace with his rescue dog, Woodstock, we take a look back at Hardy’s many entertaining and endearing remarks about his beloved species.

2007: In an interview with Dogs Today (!), Hardy discusses how he used to take his late Staffie-Labrador, Mad Max—fatefully named for the character he plays in next month’s reboot—to drama school with him.

“I wouldn’t go to class unless Max was allowed in,” recalls Tom. “My old drama teacher said, ‘I remember when you used to walk into class with your dog in one hand and a can of Coke in the other.’ Max was my support unit, it’s like I had a focus; I had an identity and higher self-esteem because something relied on me and loved me constantly. Then I felt important. I can’t stand those kind that fight their dogs, but I wonder how many sleep with their dogs under the covers at night? I’m very, very lucky that people—from 17 to now—have always allowed me to have my dog around.”

July 2010: Hardy discusses his dog’s ailing health with The Guardian: