Piff the Magic Dragon‘s longtime performing companion and beloved Chihuahua, Mr. Piffles, has died … the Las Vegas magician confirms to TMZ.

The “America’s Bought Expertise” alum tells us … his beloved canine magican handed away simply earlier than his seventeenth birthday … with Piff crediting the rescue canine for making his act sensational.

He provides … “For over 15 years I’ve had the privilege and the pleasure of being upstaged and outshone evening after evening by Mr. Piffles. He got here into my life once I had nothing, and set me on the trail to a profession I may solely dream of. To start with, I could have rescued him, however ultimately, he rescued me.”

Within the wake of the tragic replace, the Flamingo Las Vegas — the place Piff and Mr. Piffles have had a fan-favorite residency for almost a decade — introduced plans to throw a particular ceremony in honor of the late canine.

The celebration will happen Wednesday night, the place the storied resort will unveil the Mr. Piffles Magical Playground … a dog-friendly area devoted to the Chihuahua.

Mr. Piffles’ last present was speculated to be held right now, on his seventeenth birthday.

Followers first grew to become acquainted with Piff and his loyal companion when the pair appeared on season 10 of “America’s Bought Expertise” … the place Piff boasted Mr. Piffles was the world’s solely magic-performing Chihuahua.

Whereas Piff and Mr. Piffles did not win the massive prize, they did discover themselves within the high 10 … resulting in their wildly profitable Vegas residency.

Regardless of the lack of Mr. Piffles, Piff will not be hitting the stage alone … as he beforehand cloned his longtime pet, shelling out a whopping $60K for Mr. Piffles the Second.