Miley Cyrus Tugs Heartstrings As She Welcomes New Family Member

Miley Cyrus has introduced the world to her newest family member. The star took to Instagram in February 2021 to reveal her happy tears as she showed off Angel — the newest addition to her brood of beloved dogs — for the very first time with a series of adorable photos that will melt your heart.

Cyrus adopted her new addition after her pit bull mix Mary Jane died in January 2021. In the caption of her new post, the actor and singer described Mary Jane as her "best friend" and shared how she knows her spirit lives on through Angel. "I knew she wasn't gone for good. She had out lived the body she was in but she never said goodbye ..... with her eyes she whispered 'See you soon Bestie,'" Cyrus wrote.

She added that "Mary Jane defined loyalty and would never break a promise" and wrote she believes the late canine "delivered" Angel to her, which is how she decided on her name. Keep reading after the jump to find out why Cyrus is already "head over heels" for Angel.

Miley Cyrus has been a very vocal animal lover for years. The pop star revealed on Instagram that she adopted Angel from a shelter after the adorable pit bull was there for three months. She shared lyrics from "I Thought I Lost You," her duet with John Travolta which was featured in the 2008 animated movie Bolt, about a famous dog who heads out on an important mission. Cyrus wrote that she wanted to change the "stigma" that surrounds the pit bull breed and shared a special shout-out for Lisa Chiarelli of Frankie, Lola, and Friends Dog Rescue.

"This breed is incomparably loving. Just like humans nurture often overrides nature. I want to thank @lisachiarelli for her dedication in fighting for the lives of pit bulls & finding me my perfect fit," Cyrus wrote. The Last Song actor added that she's "head over heels in love" with Angel and joked that she wouldn't "sleep again" because she can't stop looking at her.

"Her halo shines for all to see and I can't wait to show her off! It's pretty cool having an Angel on a leash!" Cyrus continued, adding that she is "illuminated by the aura of the late and great Mary Jane." The star also tagged Shelter Dogs 4 Life, which shares photos of dogs looking for new homes, and Desi Lara of Downey Animal Shelter Dogs to raise awareness of pooches who need adopting in the Downey area of California.

Miley Cyrus included a series of photos in her Instagram post that showed how well her newest four-legged friend Angel has adapted to life in the Cyrus household. The first two images showed the 28-year-old with her arms around Angel as she lay on her back while the pooch relaxed on a zebra-print pillow alongside her new siblings, a sheepdog named Emu and Bean, a Chihuahua mix. Cyrus also included a cute black-and-white selfie of herself and the pit bull as Angel's tongue hung out.

Other photos showed Angel in a dog bed with Bean while Emu lay beside them on the floor, and another showed them napping together. Cyrus' parents got in on the action, too. The star shared a short clip from a video call with her father, country music star Billy Ray Cyrus, as he sang to them and played guitar. In another shot, the "Wrecking Ball" singer's mom Tish Cyrus sat in a chair with Angel beside her as she held another adorable dog under her arm.

Angel joins the Cyrus family almost two months after Miley Cyrus' beloved dog Mary Jane died following a battle with cancer. The star shared a heart-wrenching tribute to the late Mary Jane on Instagram in January 2021 with a slideshow of photos set to a song she wrote for her prior to her death.

"Anyone who knows me & it doesn't have to be well is aware that my best friend in the whole world is a rescued pit bill mix named Mary Jane," Cyrus wrote in a since-changed caption (per Today). "MJ was diagnosed with cancer over a year ago... & since then multiple types and tumors. I was told it'd be an uncertain amount of time until she's gone." 

In the updated caption, Cyrus described Mary Jane as "a true queen" and wrote that "she wore her grace, dignity & kindness like a crown." The star vowed to never forget her and added that she would "forever" be missed. She included a song about her beloved pet titled "Mary Jane," explaining, "Music is my medicine. This song revolves around loss & heartache. Which I am currently experiencing after Mary Jane's passing." Given that Cyrus has released not one but two songs about angels since 2019, it's fair to say her new pet will be a source of musical inspiration as well.