Kelsea Ballerini revealed heartbreaking news about her dog Dibs’ health on Wednesday.
The country singer, 30, shared in an Instagram post that her beloved nine-year-old pet has been diagnosed with cancer.
Days prior, Ballerini sparked concern after asking fans to ‘pray’ for her ailing pet without revealing his condition.
But in her latest update, she confirmed that Dibs has ‘inoperable cancer in his heart’ and is on medication to keep him ‘comfortable.’
It’s been a ‘complex and emotional time’ for Ballerini, who is currently in the midst of promoting her forthcoming album Patterns.
Kelsea Ballerini revealed heartbreaking news about her dog Dibs’ health on Wednesday. The country singer, 30, shared in an Instagram post that her beloved nine-year-old pet has been diagnosed with cancer
She confirmed via Instagram that Dibs has ‘inoperable cancer in his heart’ and is on medication to keep him ‘comfortable’
She began Wednesday’s post by stating that she ‘felt pretty disingenuous’ continuing to promote the album without updating fans on Dibs’ health.
‘The last few days we have discovered that [Dibby] has inoperable cancer in his heart. He’s not in pain, and luckily it hasn’t spread further,’ the star revealed.
‘We’re going to start him on the ‘big’ meds to try to make sure he can as many comfortable and happy days (weeks, months) left as possible.’
‘My mom is here (he stans grandma), and chase is the greatest dog dad in the world. He is getting extra cuddles and kibbles from his little family,’ the four-time Grammy nominee continued, while referencing her boyfriend, Chase Stokes, 31.
Dealing with Dibs’ health has been a ‘complex and emotional time’ as he’s been by her side since the start of her music career.
‘he’s been ‘my baby and my steady for the last 9 years and very much alongside this whole journey with us all,’ she wrote.
Ballerini concluded the emotional post by thanking her fans for their support during this difficult time.
‘I know so many of you care about [Dibs] and are sending him prayers and love, and from my whole heart… thank you. He’s wagging his tail right now no doubt saying thank you too.’
Just days ago Dibs was well enough to go for a walk with his mom
Ballerini says she now has Dibs on ‘big meds’ to help keep him ‘comfortable’
Included with Ballerini’s post was a photo of the adorable white-haired pooch.
Just days earlier, Ballerini asked fans on social media to send healing energy her dog’s way.
‘My sweet Dibs needs big prayers and healing energy sent his way,’ the Tennessee native wrote in an Instagram Story post on August 25. ‘Send our boy some love.’
Dibs is not only one of her cherished four-legged family members, it’s also the name of a hit song that first appeared on Ballerini’s 2014 self-titled EP.
After receiving positive reviews from the critics, for the most part, praising her youthful enthusiasm throughout the production, Dibs, the song, peaked at number one on the Billboard Country Airplay, marking her second number one country music hit of her career to date at that time.
It also charted at numbers seven and 58 on both the Hot Country Songs and the Hot 100 charts, respectively.
The song, which was co-written by Josh Kerr, Ryan Griffin, and Jason Duke, would go on to be released as the second single for her debut studio album The First Time (2015) the following year, shooting all the way to number one.
Just days earlier, Ballerini asked fans on social media to send healing energy her dog’s way
Just this past July 4th, the singer-songwriter shared a holiday photo of herself poolside in a red bikini while playing in the water with Dibs and Milo, who’s her boyfriend Chase Stokes’ dog
By reaching the top of the charts it earned Ballerini the distinction of being the first solo female country music artist to start her career with back-to-back number one hits since Jamile O’Neil in 2001.
Ballerini has had Dibs by her side since she adopted him nine years ago, in 2015, and has since gone on to give updates on him via social media photos and/or videos.
In fact, just this past July 4th she shared a holiday photo of herself poolside in a red bikini while playing in the water with Dibs and her boyfriend Chase’s dog Milo.
She and the Outer Banks hunk, 31, have been romantically linked since January 2023 following her divorce from Morgan Evans, 39. They both share a mutual love for her animals.
Back in 2020, Kelsea gushed over Dibs in a commercial for the dog food brand Pedigree.
‘I’ve grown up with dogs my whole life. When I started touring, it was my first time really being on my own. I was homesick sometimes, and I was like, “I really want a dog,”‘ she explained.
As she cares for her ailing pup, Ballerini is also busy promoting Patterns, her highly-anticipated fifth studio album
She premiered the lead single Sorry Mom on August 9 and the album is slated for an October 25 release date
‘Dibs came into my life when I got my first tour bus. I think dogs kind of make home wherever you are, and so, for me, he’s always made it feel like home,’ she shared.
‘The magic of a dog is just the fact that they’re by your side no matter what.’
As she cares for her ailing pup, Ballerini is also busy promoting Patterns, her highly-anticipated fifth studio album.
She premiered the lead single Sorry Mom on August 9 and the album is slated for an October 25 release date.
Patterns marks her first new batch of songs since Subject To Change (2022), and its two singles Heartfirst and If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too).
Just this past June, it was announced that the singer-songwriter will be featured as one of the coaches on season 27 of The Voice that’s set to air in spring 2025.