oleshep

old guest books

To join my mailing list to receive
updates, click below and put "add me"
in the subject line.

To email me your comments, click below..

This site owned by Jackie Lane

When I was a lad And Old Shep was a pup,
Over hill and meadow we'd stray.
Just a boy and his dog, We were both full of fun.
We grew up together that way.

I remember the time at the old swimmin' hole,
When I would have drowned beyond doubt.
But Shep was right there To the rescue he came, He jumped in
and then pulled me out.

As the years fast did roll, Old Shep he grew old.
His eyes were fast growing dim.
And one day the doctor looked at me and said,
"I can't do no more for him, Jim."

With hands that were trembling,
I picked up my gun And aimed it at Shep's faithful head.
I just couldn't do it, I wanted to run.
I wished they would shoot me instead.

He came to my side, And He looked up at me. And laid his old head on my knee,
As I stroked the best friend That a man ever had,
I cried so I scarcely could see.

Old Shep he knew he was going to go, For he reached out and licked at my hand.
He looked up at me, just as much as to say, We're parting, but you understand.

Now Old Shep he has gone
Where the good doggies go,
And no more with Old Shep will I roam.
But if dogs have a heaven, There's one thing I know,
Old Shep has a wonderful home.

The words "MASTER AND DOG" were purposely left out of
the song in order to honor the sanctity of the special bond between "Old Shep" and his partner.

"For we are not their owners, we are their friends,
caretakers, guardians and parents.
They belong to God. They Are Only On Loan To Us."

"THE STORY AND PHOTOS BEHIND THE MUSIC"

In August 1936, an ill sheepherder was hospitalized in Fort Benton, Montana.   His faithful working
companion, a Border Collie, waited patiently outside the hospital for his friend's recovery ... but it was not to be.

"Old Shep"
Subsequently, the shepherd's relatives decided to have his body be sent
back east for his burial.   In the lonely procession that followed from the hospital to
the train depot, the identity and relationship of the whining dog that accompanied the casket was lost.

The dog was prevented from boarding the train, and soon thereafter came to be known
as "Old Shep."   The dog patiently and methodically held a vigil to insure reunion with his beloved friend.
For five-and-one-half years, "Old Shep" met each passenger train as it chugged into
the station and unboarded its passengers, anticipating his partner's return.

Old Shep's story exemplifies the devotion and faithfulness of dogs everywhere.
Shep's story was carried in newspapers throughout the country and overseas.
It appeared in the "London Daily Express," "The New York Times" and in "Ripley's Believe It Or Not."

Occurring in the shadow of the Great Depression and the advent of World War II,
this story took on an added significance for those who mourned the departure of
loved ones and hoped for their safe return.

Old Shep became and still remains a patron saint of loyalty, patience and friendship.
On January 12, 1942, Shep "rejoined his best friend."   Shep was so famous that
at the time of his death, the wire services of "Associated Press" and "United Press International"
carried his obituary along with the war news. Shep's funeral was two days later.
He was laid to rest on the bluff overlooking the train station.