Fiona Apple cancels tour to nurse dying dog Fiona Apple performs at the Fillmore in Miami Beach on September 30, 2012. 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.