There's an old superstition that bad things happen in threes. And let's hope that's true for Miranda Lambert, so she doesn't have to go through any more pain this year. First, her father-in-law, Dick Shelton (dad to Blake Shelton), passed away in January after a lengthy illness. Just days later, one of her best friends from childhood, Mark Adams, was killed in a tragic accident. And now, the songbird has received word that the beloved dog she's had since she was about eight years old has died.

"My best friend, father in law and now my dog Dixie," Miranda tweeted today (Feb. 3). "My dog died thursday. My parents just told me. Headed now to bury my friend of 20 years."

Dixie was one of animal lover Miranda's first dogs, joined by several other pets on the country superstar's Oklahoma farm, including horses, pot-bellied pigs, chickens and dogs named Black Betty, Cher, Delilha, Delta, Jessi, Virginia Bluebell and Waylon. Steve, another pooch Miranda rescued with Blake, was hit and killed in an accident back in 2010. Several of Miranda's dogs served as "bridesmaids" in her wedding, walking down the aisle at the star-studded ceremony.

Not just an animal lover but also an animal advocate, Miranda hosts and organizes the annual Cause for the Paws concert event to help the Humane Society of East Texas, making it possible for the organization to be a 'no kill' shelter. She also works with the TAILS (Texoma Animal Improved Living Society) organization in Oklahoma, helping raise money to build a shelter in Tishomingo, near her farm.

While the 'Over You' singer mourns the loss of Dixie, fans are flooding Twitter with thoughts and prayers.

"I hope what they say is right," Miranda tweeted in response to her supporters. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

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