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Shep the faithful dog....update
CS8161
Member Posts: 13,596 ✭✭✭
There is no love or loyalty greater than that which we receive from a dog.
Update: I just got off the phone with a man who grew up in Fort Benton. He was 6 years old when Shep was killed by the train. He remembers the whole town turned out for the dog's funeral and they even had a minister say a prayer as they buried the dog up on the hill. The man's father actually has film footage from the late 30's, early 40's showing Fort Benton, Shep walking near the train depot and Shep being buried. He had it put on DVD. The museum in Fort Benton has Shep's collar and food bowl on display.
http://www.fortbenton.com/shep/story.html
http://www.fortbenton.com/shep/eulogy.html
Update: I just got off the phone with a man who grew up in Fort Benton. He was 6 years old when Shep was killed by the train. He remembers the whole town turned out for the dog's funeral and they even had a minister say a prayer as they buried the dog up on the hill. The man's father actually has film footage from the late 30's, early 40's showing Fort Benton, Shep walking near the train depot and Shep being buried. He had it put on DVD. The museum in Fort Benton has Shep's collar and food bowl on display.
http://www.fortbenton.com/shep/story.html
http://www.fortbenton.com/shep/eulogy.html
Comments
Not all sheepdog stories are this poignant. The old joke is that the good dogs go to the poor herders, and the accomplished herders get the young and inexperienced dogs. More than one old-timer has joked to me that his only real task was to feed the dogs. They took care of the sheep.
Still see sheep wagons (or "sheep camps") in this part of the world. One of the best inventions ever cooked up by man, a sheep wagon makes a pretty darn good hunting camp. Saw one being towed down the highway last month, a classic probably 80 years old, and it had a new solar panel on top! Probably so Miguel can keep up on the soccer games back home.
Had to give away my two-year-old border collie a couple of months ago, when we moved to a rented house near town. Smarted dang dog I ever had. It is better to put down an old dog, than have to give away a young one.
Thanks for sharing Shep's story, Chris.
Don
Years ago, before I retired from the Army, I had a shepherd/collie mix that I had raised from a small furball. She went everywhere with me.
She tolerated my ex-wife but, she was MY dog.
She would wait, with her nose on the window sill, for me to come from work everyday. It was really rough on her when I was in the field or away for any other reason.
When I would come home (usually smelling pretty bad) she was all over me. In fact, she went through several window screens trying to get to me.
She was with me for 11 years before she got sick. That was in 1991. I still haven't gotten another dog friend. She spoiled me for all others.
I really should try it again but, I'm afraid I will be extremely disappointed.
really gets the heartstrings...
Usually when our dogs have died it was unexpected - just came home and they were dead. But your stories the last few weeks have forced me to realize that Taz & Tisi (our 2 jack russels) are getting up in years. I've been spending a lot more time rubbing Taz' head just between the eyes where he really likes it. I've been sneaking Tisi table scraps when my wife scolds me for that.
These dogs have led a really great life anyway, but I'm making damn sure their final days/months/years are extra good.
I don't cry for much; I'm a pretty cold dude. When a John Deere 4430 drove up my #### in 1994, taking my leg, half my eyesight, use of right arm, etc I didn't cry. Black belts have beat the piss out of me at tournaments, but I never cried. But I cried when Clifford, our 13 year old black lab friend died. I tried not to because my son was watching, but I cried. That was the hardest hole I ever dug.
Prolly won't have any more dogs after Taz & Tisi. Just too much emotional investment.
Advanced Member
Burkina Faso (Upper Volta)
7841 Posts
Posted - 03/31/2010 : 9:12:26 PM
geez, between this and someone posting "Rainbow Bridge".....
really gets the heartstrings...
Mem
+1
I lost my best friend three years ago, and just can't seem to get to the point that I am ready to get another dog.
Yep, this is a great story. Shep's statue is by the riverfront at Fort Benton. Near the Union Hotel, which is a great place to eat.
Not all sheepdog stories are this poignant. The old joke is that the good dogs go to the poor herders, and the accomplished herders get the young and inexperienced dogs. More than one old-timer has joked to me that his only real task was to feed the dogs. They took care of the sheep.
Still see sheep wagons (or "sheep camps") in this part of the world. One of the best inventions ever cooked up by man, a sheep wagon makes a pretty darn good hunting camp. Saw one being towed down the highway last month, a classic probably 80 years old, and it had a new solar panel on top! Probably so Miguel can keep up on the soccer games back home.
Yep, the wife and I stayed and ate at the Grand Union hotel ... excellent food. I also hunt deer at Fort Benton (I live in Great Falls, `45 miles south) and occasionally swing by Shep's statue for a quick break after the hunt.
"Shep" is indeed a faithful friend. [^]
Ed
NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.