From a very young age, this country star in the making was an animal lover. Here she is pictured with an equally adorable pup; years later her house would be filled with furry friends. They seem to seek her out, in need of a home. Can you guess who this little girl grew up to be/

After a slow start to her career, this superstar exploded with the release of her 2009 album and then poured over into all-time-great categorization with her 2011 release. In many ways she's still just the little girl from the heartland who would rather spend time with her family and animals than enjoy the glamor of fame. That's part of the reason fans love her so much.

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