Miranda Lambert is mourning the loss of her longtime companion, Cher, a rescue chihuahua who passed away at age 15. The country singer shared the news on Instagram Sunday, along with a touching tribute and photos of Cher with Lambert and her husband, Brendan McLoughlin, over the years.
Lambert adopted Cher as a 10-week-old puppy from a shelter in 2010, carrying her home in her overalls pocket. The dog quickly became a fixture in Lambert’s life, appearing on red carpets, at awards shows like the Academy of Country Music Awards, and accompanying the singer on every tour since.
In her post, Lambert celebrated Cher’s spirited personality, writing, “Cher gave us 15 years of love and all the chihuahua attitude and energy she had to give.” She reflected on the bittersweet reality of pet ownership, noting that she once had nine rescue dogs when she met McLoughlin seven years ago but is now down to one. “We sure are ready for a break from the heartbreak y’all, but they are worth every tear we have cried,” she added.
Lambert, a vocal advocate for animal rescues, married McLoughlin secretly in January 2019, announcing their union that Valentine’s Day. The couple shares a home filled with rescued animals, including horses, cats, and dogs. Lambert was previously married to Blake Shelton; they divorced in 2015 after four years of marriage.