Kelsea Ballerini's Dog Dibs Dies After Cancer Battle

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.

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, 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."

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."

The Sex and the City alum adopted the same kitten Carrie Bradshaw takes in during the second season of And Just Like That.

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.

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.

The Big Bang Theory actress has many four-legged friends keeping her busy at home.

"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.

Dogs will always be there for you! The Friends star loves cuddling up to her dog Clyde.

The makeup mogul is a proud parent to multiple Pomeranians.

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.

"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."

The Euphoria star gushed about her four-legged friend, "Missing my son...I get to see him in like 3 days #NoonyinNY."

"Nothing beats riding your horse on the beach," the Hunger Games alum joked.

This family loves their bulldogs! King Maximus and Princess Alexus have their own Instagram page, too!

The Seatttle Seahawks quarterback brought this adorable pooch home to Ciara. "New Pup Alert!!! Welcome to the Wilson Family!" he captioned the precious pic.