Kelsea Ballerini‘s beloved dog, Dibs — named after her hit song — has cancer.

“The last few days we have discovered that Dibby has inoperable cancer in his heart,” the singer tells fans via Instagram Stories. “He’s not in pain, and luckily it hasn’t spread further.”

A few days ago, Ballerini gave fans a heads up that she was dealing with something hard related to Dibs, writing that he’d “made it through the night” and that she was navigating what to do next, though it wasn’t clear what ailed him.

In the same message, she expressed her gratitude for all of the love and prayers that have been sent her way.

A new update on Wednesday (Aug. 28) confirms that her dog, a doodle, has “inoperable cancer.”

“It’s a complex and emotional time,” Ballerini says, explaining that she feels “disingenuous” to be promoting her next album, Patterns, while she’s helping Dibs through this.

“He’s been my baby and my steady for the last 9 years and very much alongside this whole journey with us all,” she says. Her hit single “Dibs” hit No. 1 on country radio in early 2016.

“I know so many of you care about him and are sending him prayers and love, and from my whole heart … thank you.”

Ballerini’s boyfriend, Chase Stokes, has been by her side through this grief, and she says he’s been a great “dog dad” through the entire journey.

Stokes also took to Instagram to express his hurt over the news of Dibs’ cancer.

“It’s been a rough few days here,” he writes. “But our man is in good spirits and eating all his favorite foods. For those who have embraced him here online or friends who call him family — thank you. Thank you for your love, thank you for your positive words.”

Ballerini’s Patterns album arrives Oct. 25.

Adison Haager is the host for Taste of Country’s popular social media platforms. She brings the latest interviews with artists such as Jelly Roll, Ashley McBryde, Lainey Wilson and more, producing them to Taste of Country’s YouTube, TikTok, podcasts and website.