Fiona Apple postpones tour to be with dying dog

Fiona Apple is postponing the South American leg of her worldwide tour to care for her dog, whom she says is dying.

The singer made the announcement in a handwritten letter posted on her website. In the note, she reflects on when she first adopted her pit bull Janet, who now at 14 suffers from Addison's Disease and a tumor in her chest.

"I just can't leave her now, please understand," Apple wrote. "If I go away again, I'm afraid she'll die and I won't have the honor of singing her to sleep, of escorting her out."

She added, "I'm 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."

The 35-year-old Apple asked fans to "meet a little while later" and plans to reschedule her South American appearances.