Mickey Rourke is in puppy love as he kisses his beloved pooch during lunch date in Beverly Hills

Mickey Rourke is in puppy love as he kisses his beloved pooch during a lunch date with a friend in Beverly Hills

Mickey Rourke knows firsthand the therapeutic value of dogs.

But it takes just moments to realize the Oscar-nominated actor cherishes the unconditional love and friendship they bring to his life the most. 

And over the weekend the Upstate New York native put his bond with one of his four-legged family members on display during a lunch date with a friend and his beloved pooch, King Carlos, in Beverly Hills.

Lunch date: Mickey Rourke, 68, appeared to be on the lookout for a friend before sitting down for lunch in Beverly Hills over the weekend

The Wrestler star went with his casual-cool look dressed in fitted blue jeans and a charcoal black hoodie without a shirt.

He stepped out in brown cowboys boots that were adorned with metal tips and a yellow design along the sides and heels.    

The acclaimed actor ended up sitting in the outside patio of Mulberry Street Pizzeria with his beloved small white dog that’s among his pack of pooches at home. 

At one point, he was spotted giving Carlos a hug and a kiss. 

Unconditional love: The acclaimed actor gave his beloved dog King Carlos a kiss during lunch

Unconditional love: The acclaimed actor gave his beloved dog King Carlos a kiss during lunch

Unique: The Wrestler star opted for his casual-cool look dressed in fitted blue jeans with a charcoal black hoodie, without a shirt, and cowboy boots

Unique: The Wrestler star opted for his casual-cool look dressed in fitted blue jeans with a charcoal black hoodie, without a shirt, and cowboy boots

During the afternoon outing, Rourke had his pal snap a photo of himself feeding King Carlos.

‘King “”lCARLOS HAVING CHICKEN MEAT BALLS,’ the Barfly leading man wrote in the caption, along with a series of heart emojis and a couple of hand emojis signifying his love for his beloved pooch.      

Rourke has devoted much of his Instagram page to his endless devotion and welfare of dogs, which includes helping find forever homes for animals in need.  

Snack time: The Oscar-nominated actor fed King Carlos chicken meatballs during his lunch date at Mulberry Street Pizzeria

Snack time: The Oscar-nominated actor fed King Carlos chicken meatballs during his lunch date at Mulberry Street Pizzeria

Adorable: King Carlos snuggled up with a new friend in a post last week

Adorable: King Carlos snuggled up with a new friend in a post last week

Rourke famously thanked his dogs when he accepted the Golden Globe for Best Actor for The Wrestler back in 2009.

‘I’d like to thank all my dogs, the ones who are here and the ones who aren’t here any more, because sometimes when a man’s alone, all you got is your dog,’ he said before adding, ‘And they’ve meant the world to me.’ 

Earlier that year, during an interview, he credited his dogs for helping save his life when he contemplated suicide during one of the lowest points of life. 

Along with his Oscar-nominated performance in The Wrestler (2008), Rourke’s acting resume includes such acclaimed films as Diner (1982), Rumble Fish (1983), The Pope Of Greenwich Village (1984), 9 1/2 Weeks (1986), Angel Heart (1987), Barfly (1987), A Prayer For The Dying (1987), Sin City (2005), Domino (2005) and Sin City: A Dame To Kill For (2014).        

His pack: Rourke snuggled up next to his dog Ivan aka (Baby Gorilla) two weeks ago

His pack: Rourke snuggled up next to his dog Ivan aka (Baby Gorilla) two weeks ago

The OGs: The lifelong dog lover gave his 206,000 Instagram fans and followers a look at his 'original crew' of dogs in early July

The OGs: The lifelong dog lover gave his 206,000 Instagram fans and followers a look at his ‘original crew’ of dogs in early July

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk