Kelsea Ballerini’s “Soul Dog,” Dibs, Died In January After A Battle With Cancer
Kelsea Ballerini had a meaningful detail hidden on the gown she wore to the 2026 Grammys on Sunday (February 1).
On January 8, Ballerini shared the heartbreaking news that her “soul dog,” Dibs, had passed away the previous day. Dibs, who Ballerini welcomed into her life in 2015, had been diagnosed with cancer in 2024.
Ballerini named the precious pup after her 2015 single, “Dibs.” She and Dibs travelled across the country together, and she even brought him on set when she served as a coach on The Voice.
“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…and i pray and believe we’ll find each other in every life,” Ballerini shared in an emotional tribute to Dibs she posted on social media.
She ended her post by writing, “i feel like the luckiest girl in the world that i got to be his dog mom, greatest gift of my life.”
Kelsea Kept Dibs Close To Her Heart At The 2026 Grammy Awards
Less than one month after Dibs passed away, Kelsea Ballerini attended the 2026 Grammys. But she kept her beloved buddy close to her heart all night, literally and metaphorically.
Ballerini walked the red carpet in a gorgeous gold, green, and brown gown with a paisley-like pattern, fringed bottom, slight train, and an open back.
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Later, on her Instagram Story, Ballerini highlighted a hidden detail on her dress that honored Dibs. She had a small heart sewn into the top of her dress, near her own heart, with his name embroidered in green thread.
It was a sweet and subtle way for her to honor her treasured canine companion. See the tribute below.
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Ballerini was nominated in the Grammys’ Best Contemporary Country Album category for Patterns, but lost to Jelly Roll‘s Beautifully Broken. However, there seemed to be no hard feelings between the two artists, and they posed for photos together at the show.
See one of those pictures below.