Apple cancels tour to nurse dying dog

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LOS ANGELES, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- U.S. singer-songwriter Fiona Apple says she has canceled dates on her worldwide concert tour to nurse her dying 14-year-old pitbull, Janet.

Apple, 35, posted a handwritten letter on her website Tuesday, recalling how she adopted the 4-month-old pup and explaining why she plans to stay by her side until the end of her life.

"I am not the woman who puts her career ahead of love and friendship. I am the woman who stays home and bakes Tilapia for my dearest, oldest friend," wrote Apple. "I am staying home, and I am listening to her snore and wheeze, and reveling in the swampiest, most awful breath that ever emanated from an angel. And I am asking for your blessing."

It is unclear when or whether Apple plans to resume the tour.

"I'm writing to a few thousand friends I have not met yet. I am writing to ask them to change our plans and meet a little while later. Here's the thing. I have a dog Janet, and she's been ill for almost two years now, as a tumor has been idling in her chest, growing ever so slowly. She's almost 14 years old now. I got her when she was 4 months old. I was 21 then, an adult officially -- and she was my child...." her message said.