Kelsea Ballerini shares ‘emotional’ video after her dog’s cancer diagnosis

Kelsea Ballerini made a particularly “emotional and sentimental” announcement on Monday morning (September 9).

Ballerini announced a “one-off” performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City to celebrate the release of her highly anticipated album next month. The video she released to announce the show features her beloved dog. Dibsand was filmed just weeks before Ballerini learned he was suffering from inoperable heart cancer. Ballerini recently spoke about Dibs' diagnosis in a note on her Instagram story, writing that Dibs was not in pain, the cancer had not spread, and he would begin taking medication “to ensure he has as many pleasant and happy days (weeks, months 🙏) left as possible. …It's a complex and emotional time.”

The CMA Award nominees' announcement video on Monday morning features aerial shots of New York City. Dibs is in the helicopter and jumps into a taxi after a safe landing with the skyline behind him. He joins Ballerini at Madison Square Garden as she announces that she will take the stage on Tuesday, October 29, just days after the release of her new album. PatternThe show will also feature two sister duos: Aly and AJ — a “pinch me” moment for Ballerini — and ACM New Duo of the Year 2024 Tigirlily Gold.

Ballerini said in her caption on Instagram, “The whole time I was making this album I was imagining possibilities and dreaming up dreams of how I could bring it to life for our live show. In one of my favorite cities that plays a major role in PATTERNS music and visuals, I'm so excited to celebrate the release of this album for one night only at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN with Aly and AJ (pinch me) and my girls Tigirlily Gold on October 29th!!!!” She added, “We filmed this a few weeks before we found out about Dibby's diagnosis which makes this announcement even more emotional and sentimental. He really loved frolicking around NYC and pouring his good spirits into MSG getting it ready for all of us. 🤍”

Ballerini announced Pattern last month. The 15-track album is Ballerini’s highly anticipated follow-up to Subject to changewhich was published in September 2022, and Roll out the welcome mata deeply vulnerable surprise EP and accompanying short film followed in February 2023. The EP told Ballerini's story of heartbreak and healing after divorce, and she eventually expanded the collection with an expanded edition in August 2023.

Now, however, Ballerini has said that this is “a chapter of my life that is far behind me.” Her fifth full-length studio album offers a fresher perspective and “I have never treated anything with so much care in my life.” Pattern is due on October 25th.

Tickets for Ballerini's album release show at Madison Square Garden go on sale to the general public on Thursday (September 12) at 10 a.m. ET.