The country star, 42, shared heartbreaking news with fans on Sunday, revealing that her cherished rescue dog Cher died on Saturday at the age of 15. Lambert announced the loss in an emotional post on Instagram, where she paid tribute to the chihuahua who had been by her side for most of her career.
“Our sweet bear Cher crossed over the rainbow bridge yesterday,” Lambert wrote, alongside a carousel of photos showing the tiny dog with Lambert and her husband, Brendan McLoughlin, through the years. She described Cher as full of “all the chihuahua attitude and energy” and said anyone who has owned a chihuahua knows exactly what that means.
Lambert explained that she adopted Cher from a shelter in 2010, when the pup was just 10 weeks old. “I put her in my overalls pocket at the shelter and that was it,” she recalled. Not long after, Cher was already experiencing the spotlight, attending the Academy of Country Music Awards red carpet and press room that same year.
From there, Cher became a familiar presence in Lambert’s life and career. “She was on every tour I have done since,” Lambert wrote, thanking the dog for all the miles she traveled and the love she gave along the way.
A longtime advocate for rescue animals, Lambert also reflected on the many pets she has loved and lost. She shared that when she met McLoughlin seven years ago, she was caring for nine rescue dogs. Today, the couple is down to one.
“We sure are ready for a break from the heartbreak,” Lambert admitted, “but they are worth every tear we have cried.” She added that while animals bring endless joy, she wishes “dog years didn’t go by so fast.”
Lambert and McLoughlin quietly married in January 2019, later sharing the news on Valentine’s Day. Over the years, they’ve built a home filled with animals, including horses, cats, and several rescue dogs.
Before her marriage to McLoughlin, Lambert was married to fellow country star Blake Shelton. The pair divorced in 2015 after four years together.
As fans flooded her post with messages of sympathy, Lambert’s tribute served as a reminder of the deep bond between people and their pets — and how even after 15 years, saying goodbye never gets any easier.
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