Country music star Kelsea Ballerini is grieving the loss of her beloved dog, Dibs, whom she lovingly referred to as her “soul dog.” The Grammy-nominated singer, 32, shared the heartbreaking news with fans on Instagram on Thursday, January 8, revealing that Dibs passed away the day before after a long health battle.

Kelsea Ballerini Announces Dibs’ Death

In an emotional tribute posted to her Instagram account, Ballerini shared a collection of photos and videos capturing Dibs throughout his life, from quiet moments at home to adventures on the road.

“My sweet Dibs went to doggy heaven yesterday,” she wrote. “He spent his last few days in his backyard looking at the sunshine and surrounded and visited by his forever people.”

Ballerini described the profound impact Dibs had on her life, crediting him as a constant companion through the past decade.

“There are no words to articulate his role in my life,” she continued. “I couldn’t have done the last 10 years without him by my side.”

Calling him her “soul dog,” the singer added,

“I pray and believe we’ll find each other in every life.”

A Bond That Spanned a Decade

Ballerini thanked fans for embracing Dibs with the same love she felt for him.

“I feel like the luckiest girl in the world that I got to be his dog mom,” she wrote. “Greatest gift of my life.”

The post included images of Dibs enjoying nature—rolling in the grass, swimming in waterfalls, and soaking up the outdoors—as well as moments that showed how closely he accompanied Ballerini throughout her career. One photo featured Dibs backstage on The Voice, while another showed him wearing a bandana that read, “My Mom Is My Entertainer of the Year,” a nod to Ballerini’s 2025 ACM Entertainer of the Year nomination.

Fans also saw clips of Dibs walking toward a private plane, wearing an “I ❤️ NY” shirt, and attentively listening as Ballerini asked him if he would join her on tour.

Dibs’ Health Journey

Ballerini first shared Dibs’ health struggles in August 2024, revealing that her dog had been diagnosed with cancer in his heart.

“He’s not in pain, and luckily it hasn’t spread further,” she wrote at the time. “We’re going to start him on the ‘big’ meds to try to make sure he can have as many comfortable and happy days left as possible.”

In September 2025, she later disclosed that Dibs had undergone an unexpected surgery, keeping fans updated on his condition.

A Final Message from Dibs’ Account

Ballerini also announced Dibs’ passing on the Instagram account dedicated to him. The post featured a tender photo of Ballerini and Dibs wrapped in blankets beneath the stars.

“I’m cancer free now, and my last days were so happy,” the caption read. “My mom and my aunts and dad and grandma are going to show you a lot of my life on this page because I have so many pictures and videos that we all wanna share.”

Ballerini reposted the message to her Instagram Stories, adding:

“Going to share every good ounce of Dibby’s existence on this account over the next bit ❤️.”

Remembering a ‘Soul Dog’

As tributes poured in from fans and fellow artists, Ballerini’s posts reflected the deep bond many pet owners recognize—a relationship built on unconditional love, loyalty, and shared life moments.

Though Dibs is gone, Ballerini’s heartfelt words made clear that his presence and impact will remain with her forever.