Fan-recorded videos shared on TikTok and Instagram showed the heartbreaking moment Kelsea Ballerini paused her performance after singing a lyric about her dog. It happened during Ballerini’s sold out Patterns album release show at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The concert took place on Tuesday evening (October 29), about two months after the award-winning artist shared that her dog, Dibs, is battling an inoperable cancer in his heart.
Ballerini released “Penthouse” on her deeply personal EP, Rolling Up The Welcome Mat, in February 2023. Ballerini released it as a surprise EP and accompanying short film to share her story of heartache and healing after divorce. She wrote a line in “Penthouse”: “I bought the house with a fence/ Enough room for some kids, a backyard for Dibs.” The lyric has become a fan-favorite, particularly during Ballerini’s live shows, where audiences scream-sing “backyard for Dibs” in unison.
This time, Ballerini got emotional during that moment. She prompted the cheering crowd to continue while she stepped back from the microphone and began to cry. The Madison Square garden crowd sang the next chorus for Ballerini while she took a moment to cry and collect herself before finishing the song.
The Patterns artist shared in late August that Dibs “has inoperable cancer in his heart. He’s not in pain, and luckily it hasn’t spread further. We’re going to start him on the ‘big’ meds to try to make sure he can have as many comfortable and happy days (weeks, months 🙏) left as possible.” She assured that Dibs has “amazing” doctors, and was also receiving care from her mother and from her boyfriend, Outer Banks actor Chase Stokes. “It’s a complex and emotional time. He’s been my baby and my steady for the last 9 years and very much alongside this whole journey with us all. I know so many of you care about him and are sending him prayers and love, and from my whole heart… thank you. He’s wagging his tail right now no doubt saying thank you, too.”