Saying goodbye to a pet is one of the hardest things in the world, but it’s even worse to lose two pets in a short amount of time.
Recently, country star Miranda Lambert announced the heartbreaking deaths of two of her rescue dogs, who died within 6 weeks of each other.
But in her grief, she used the opportunity to advocate for rescuing dogs — read on to see her heartfelt tribute:
The “House that Built Me” singer, 40, announced in a two-part social media post that she recently said goodbye to two of her rescue pets: her Chihuahua-pug mix Delta Dawn and her Great Pyrenees Louise.
Rest in peace, Delta Dawn and Louise
“In the last 6 weeks, two of the best and most loyal friends I have ever had have left this earth,” Lambert wrote in an Instagram post.
Describing Delta Dawn as “one of those dogs that you only get once in a lifetime,” she recalled finding her at a Sonic in Oklahoma in 2009. “She was homeless and hungry but still full of personality,” Lambert recalled.
“I opened my car door and she jumped in. Little did I know when I was trying to just get a cherry limeade, I would meet one of the most amazing dogs I would ever know. I had about 16 years with her and she was on almost every tour I’ve ever been on. I’m honored to have met her and learned so much from her.”
She wrote that Delta Dawn passed away on April 22. Just weeks after that loss, Lambert said goodbye to another one of her rescue dogs, Louise.
Lambert adopted Louise and her sister Thelma from a shelter in 2016, and took them to live on her farm in Nashville, where they quickly made themselves at home and became the farm’s protector dogs.
“The first day I ever brought them to the farm … they were right at home,” Lambert wrote. “I have mini horses, chickens and goats and I needed them for protection for the critters. And boy did they do the job.”
Thelma died last July the country singer announced the news at the time writing that it “hurts so bad to say goodbye.” Louise has joined her doggy sister over the rainbow bridge nearly a year later, and Lambert will always remember the pair of dogs who stole her heart.
“The Pyrenees have stolen my heart all the way. Loving, kind, patient, aware, protective and fighters till the end. I hope to be more like them everyday. There are rescues of every kind y’all. you just have to open your heart and be ready for the love they have to give.”
“The power of a rescue”
While Lambert is mourning these two recent passings, she also used it as an opportunity to highlight what a life-changing thing it can be to rescue dogs, the “power of a rescue and what they can do to a heart.”
“I want yall to know that I’m an advocate for rescue because I live it out and everyday I am blessed with the joy of having these animals in my life. And then some days, like today, I’m so heartbroken to have lost them. To love this big you have to hurt just as big. They are worth it.”
“Shelters all over the country are suffering from overcrowdedness so this is my heart song to you. Consider a rescue or fostering or volunteering. You never know what blessing is waiting there for you.”
“Please remember this summer while you are home in your back yards with your families to consider bringing home a shelter pet to be part of those memories. They will change your life for the better.”
Miranda Lambert, animal advocate
Over her career, Miranda Lambert has used her fame to help and advocate for animals. She founded the MuttNation Foundation in 2009, an organization focused on rescue animals and shelters.
MuttNation has held adoption drives at country concerts, provided emergency disaster relief and has raised funds for shelters across the US. In 2022, they partnered with Greater Good Charities to provide 2 million pet meals for families going through economic challenges.
Lambert also opened the Redemption Ranch shelter in Tishomingo, Oklahoma in 2014.
