Amid her fast-rising career, Ella Langley recently sat down with Country Now for a special “Pupdate” chat, where she opened up about her journey in music, life with her two beloved pups, and her passion for helping animals.
It’s a chilly morning in Nashville, and Ella is cozied up in a brown winter coat inside a suite at the JW Marriott. As soon as she settles onto the couch, her dogs Crue and Bee jump right up beside her, eager for attention. With a smile and a few treats in hand, Ella introduces her furry companions.
Meet Crue and Bee
Crue, her six-year-old Spaniel, is her “ride or die.” She adopted him while in college at Auburn, and he’s been her constant companion ever since. “He’s literally toured everywhere I’ve played. He’s my road dog,” Ella laughs, calling him “too smart for his own good.”
Then there’s Bee, her one-and-a-half-year-old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, who Ella lovingly describes as her “silly girl.” Still adjusting to life on the road, Bee is playful, quirky, and, as Ella notes, “kind of slinky — she’s got a little fox in her.”
Growing up on a farm with cows, horses, and chickens, Ella says her love for animals started early and has only deepened as her career has grown.
Giving Back Through Rescue
That love has also inspired Ella to take action. She’s now a founding board member of The Pawsitive Rescue Division, a nonprofit dedicated to finding forever homes for dogs in need. What started with Ella making simple adoption videos has already led to multiple rescues finding families. Since then, she’s helped with adoption events, fundraising efforts, and hopes to do even more.
“I didn’t really plan on starting a nonprofit in the middle of the busiest time of my career,” she admits with a grin, “but it just happened — and I’m so glad it did.”
Looking ahead, Ella dreams of opening an animal sanctuary in Alabama where she can combine two causes close to her heart: animal care and mental health support. “I’d love to create a place where people can heal while caring for animals. When you hug a horse or play with a dog that hasn’t always been loved, it changes how you see life.”
Balancing Music and Purpose
For Ella, giving back helps balance the often self-focused world of music. “So much of this career is about me — my songs, my shows. But helping animals makes me feel grounded and grateful.”
That mission recently got a boost when Miranda Lambert’s Muttnation Foundation donated $5,000 to The Pawsitive Rescue Division — a full-circle moment for Ella, who looks up to Miranda as both an artist and animal advocate. “It was surreal. I mean, I got to spend the day with Miranda Lambert and help dogs find homes. How amazing is that?”
Just Getting Started
Of course, Ella’s music career is soaring right alongside her rescue work. After years of grinding, she and her band are now seeing the payoff — sold-out shows packed with fans singing along to every word.
“You can feel that the connection is real,” she says, still a little amazed. “This is just the beginning, and I’m having so much fun.”
With her music taking off and her animal advocacy growing stronger, Ella Langley is proving she’s not just building a career — she’s building a legacy full of heart, purpose, and love for the four-legged friends who’ve been with her every step of the way.
