Carly Pearce Is 'Bonded Forever' With Her Two Shih Tzus, Johnny and June

Carly Pearce is a GRAMMY award-winning singer-songwriter known for her country music prowess. She just wrapped up touring with Tim McGraw this summer on his Standing Room Only Tour, released her fourth studio album hummingbird, and will soon embark on a world tour, kicking off Oct. 3 in Windsor, Ontario.

But she's also known for her two adorable four-year-old shih tzus, aptly named Johnny and June.

Pearce got June first as a gift to herself during the pandemic when she was going through a “painful” divorce, she tells The Spruce Pets. A few weeks later, she brought home June’s brother Johnny.

“It has been just chaos in the best way ever since,” she says.

The Three Musketeers

There are many ups and downs and adjustments when bringing a new dog into the family. Pearce recalls having that “Oh my god, what have I done?” feeling while driving home with June. She says she gave both herself and June grace during that time, remembering that her new puppy was in a completely different environment and adjusting just as much as she was as a new dog mom.

Since then, the two pups' personalities have blossomed, showing just how different they are. Johnny is a little cuddler who loves to ride in his stroller rather than walk on the ground. Pearce says he’s very lovable, needy, and bougie, and June is incredibly attached to him.

“I know it sounds so weird, but he seems to understand that he plays a big role in June's overall comfort and peace,” Pearce says. “You can see that in the way that he comforts her.”

June, on the other hand, is Miss Independent who loves to walk with all four paws on the ground and play with her toys.

“She would rather have a toy and play than eat!” Pearce says.

Raising June and Johnny has taught Pearce what it means to truly take care of something and have a true partner and the unconditional love a pet brings. They have been with her through so many seasons of her life and have been a constant in the highs and lows.

“I feel like they know if I'm upset," Pearce says. "They know how to comfort me now because they've been through so much with me, and I think that has bonded us forever because they went through such a traumatic time for me. They came into my life in such a pivotal moment where I felt so alone.”

Life on the Road   

Pearce’s biggest piece of advice when bringing home a new dog is to implement rules and structure early, which is especially important if you're someone who's constantly on the go. The most important things for Johnny and June to learn, other than potty training, were crate training and getting comfortable in different environments so they could ultimately be comfortable on the road in Pearce’s tour bus. When on the bus, Pearce sets up gates to keep them in a secure area with their toys so they can stay safe while still being a part of the busy life on the road.

“They're not afraid of that adjustment anymore because the environment feels like home,” Pearce says.

Even though the dogs do accompany her on tour, there are times when her schedule is too busy to take them along. Luckily, she has her parents to take over, who she jokes share custody of the pups. She says part of the responsibility of being a pet owner is knowing what that means to properly take care of them and give them what they need.

Fan Favorites

Another perk of bringing Johnny and June on the road and integrating them into her life is her fans’ attachment to them. They make and send gifts for them, draw pictures of them, and get excited to see them if they make an appearance at a meet and greet. 

“I feel like they’re not only giving me joy, but they’re spreading joy to my fans and that’s a really sweet thing to see.”

Overall, Pearce encourages people to make their pets a true part of their lives. Take them with you in your everyday life, on trips and places. 

“They just want to be a part of your life,” she says. “I’ve learned that more than anything; they just want to go.”