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Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes Confirm They're Back Together 3 Months After Breakup
Kelsea Ballerini will be calling Dibs for life.
The country star shared the sad news that her beloved dog Dibs has died following a battle with cancer.
"My sweet dibs went to doggy heaven yesterday," she wrote on Instagram Jan. 8. "He spent his last few days in his backyard looking at the sunshine and surrounded and visited by his forever people."
Kelsea went on to share the enormous impact the pup had on her, which includes inspiring the iconic line, "I bought the house with a fence / Enough room for some kids, a backyard for Dibs," in her 2023 song "Penthouse.”
"There are no words to articulate his role in my life, but i couldn’t have done the last ten years without him, and he will always be my soul dog," she continued. "And i pray and believe we’ll find each other in every life. his love and reach can’t be captured in an instagram photo dump, or in a caption, but here’s a look at some happy from dibs."
Alongside pics of the pair cuddling at home and playing on the beach, the 32-year-old wrote to her fans, "Thank you for loving him so loudly with me. i feel like the luckiest girl in the world that i got to be his dog mom, greatest gift of my life."
And no one else loved him as loudly as her boyfriend Chase Stokes, who commented on the post, "My sweet sweet boy."
Following Dibs’ passing, friends shared their condolences, with Lili Reinhart writing, "I’m so sorry to you and Chase."
Kelsea brought the puppy home in 2015, naming him after her then-new song "Dibs."
"I was on the bus with my band and I'm like, 'What do I name my dog?'" she recalled on 99.5 KD Country WKDP. "We're going through all the names and I'm like, 'Guys, what about Dibs?' And they're like, 'Kelsea, that's so lame. We're not calling the dog Dibs if you call him that, no.'"
So, the "Baggage" singer settled on the name Knox because she's from Knoxville, Tenn., but she changed her mind after visiting the breeder.
"She goes, 'Hey, I know it's none of my business, I know you're gonna name him Knox, but you should really name him Dibs,'" Kelsea remembered. "I was like, 'That's a sign.' But it's cool too because it was the week that 'Dibs' went to radio and the week that I got him, so it's a good little reminder."
Her dog was diagnosed with inoperable heart cancer in 2024 and lived out his last year with many adventures: seeing Kelsea as a coach on The Voice, touring the world with her new album Patterns and celebrating one last holiday season, which Kelsea captioned on Instagram, "a very merry dibsmas & christmas indeed."
Read on for a look at other celebrities' unbreakable bonds with their pets.
Sydney Sweeney
The Euphoria actress introduced her pup Sully in April 2025, writing on Instagram, "He’s become my set best friend, my bowling partner, my nap buddy, mutual water enthusiast, and travel companion."
Brie Larson/Instagram
Brie Larson
Brie, who was already a dog mom to pooch Six-Thirty, welcomed her newest addition on Instagram in October 2024, writing, "Proud to announce there’s a new *star* in my life."
Instagram/Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner
The Yellowstone star introduced his new dog to the world in February 2024, writing on Instagram, "I'm already in love with this special guy."
Sarah Jessica Parker / Instagram
Sarah Jessica Parker
The Sex and the City alum adopted the same kitten Carrie Bradshaw takes in during the second season of And Just Like That.
Jimmy Fallon
Party crasher! The late night talk show host's dog Gary joined him as he perfomed a remote opening monologue during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Taylor Swift
T.Swift is arguably our favorite cat lady, especially when she posts pics with her cat Meredith. She took her love for cats to another level by starring in the movie Cats.
Kaley Cuoco
The Big Bang Theory actress has many four-legged friends keeping her busy at home.
Ariana Grande
"Guess what everyone it's time for me to post THIS photo again. happy birthday to the light of my life. my gooooszeeessskeh. i love u i love u i love u," the "Dangerous Woman" singer wrote in honor of her dog.
Jennifer Aniston
Dogs will always be there for you! The Friends star loves cuddling up to her dog Clyde.
Jeffree Star
The makeup mogul is a proud parent to multiple Pomeranians.
Emma Chamberlain
The YouTuber's cat Frankie sure knows how to photo bomb! Frankie and sibling Declan also have their own Instagram account with nearly 200K followers.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
"Our pre-workout ritual. We throw on 'Rocky Mountain Way' from Joe Walsh and get to rough housin'. He's definitely 'on one' and feelin' himself today cause he killed a lizard," the actor wrote on Instagram. "He also knows when I lay down its a trap! Smart boy. Let's get to work."
Zendaya
The Euphoria star gushed about her four-legged friend, "Missing my son...I get to see him in like 3 days #NoonyinNY."
Liam Hemsworth
"Nothing beats riding your horse on the beach," the Hunger Games alum joked.
Ice T & Coco
This family loves their bulldogs! King Maximus and Princess Alexus have their own Instagram page, too!
Instagram/TraceMe
Russell Wilson
The Seatttle Seahawks quarterback brought this adorable pooch home to Ciara. "New Pup Alert!!! Welcome to the Wilson Family!" he captioned the precious pic.
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