Old Shep

Drawing of statue by
Raven OKeefe

Not so long ago outside of Fort Benton
Was a tale born of a faithful friend
As the train pulled away from the station
With the body of an old shepherd man

Through his final years on the Montana Plains
Over pasture and highland, through hard summer rains
Old Shep ran beside him
Tending the flocks, patrolling the range
Old Shep slept beside him
Ever alert if the silence did change

A thousand sunrises were met
With Old Shep.

The fall came, the light grew dimmer
For the shepherd man when he reached the town
Old Shep could sense there would be a long journey
To a meadow space where peace is found.
Down in a bed in Fort Benton he lay
His spirit departed but his body stayed.

Old Shep walked beside him
As they carried his casket up to the train
Old Shep tried to climb on board
But they pushed him away to the station platform.
Here a separate trail was met
By Old Shep.

How many nights, how many days
Would your partner wait for you?
How many seasons would you weather the storm
If your companion was long overdue?

For over six snows Old Shep waited
And through five springs, there was no return.
He met each train that rolled into the station
His faith remained, his candle burned.

Then, on a cold, dark, wintry day
Our hero rejoined his best friend..

Now, Old Shep is beside him
Tending the heavens, patrolling the range
Old Shep stays beside him
As the seasons revolve this Big Sky of change
A faithful friend we won't forget

Old Shep runs beside him
Tending the flocks, patrolling the range
Old Shep sleeps beside him
As the seasons revolve this Big Sky of change
A faithful friend we won't forget

Old Shep

Story Behind the Music

Old Shep

In August 1936, an ill sheepherder was hospitalized in Fort Benton, Montana. His faithful working companion, an old farm shepherd dog , waited patiently outside the hospital for his friend's recovery. It was not to be.

Subsequently, the decision was by the shepherd's relatives back east that his body be sent there for burial. In the lonely procession that followed from hospital to train depot, the identity and relationship of the whining dog that accompanied the casket was lost. Prevented from boarding the train, the dog, who soon thereafter came to be known as Old Shep, patiently and methodicaly held a vigil to insure reunion with his beloved friend. For five and a half years, Old Shep met each passenger train as it chugged into the station and unboarded its patrons, 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. Appearing in the London Daily Express, the New York Times and in Ripley's Believe It Or Not. Occuring in the shadow of the Great Depression and the advent of World War II, this story took on 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 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 station.

In June, 1995 a bronze statue of Shep, created by Bob Schriver was erected on Fort Benton's levee. The committee planning the memorial bronze requested that I write a song for the dedication ceremony. I jumped at the chance, because it was a song I had wanted to write for some time. In the story, I recognized a sparkle and a sadness in my own heart for a beloved Shepherd/Lab friend that I had recently lost. In writing the song, I was coming to terms with my own loss and celebrating the special friendship I had shared with Major. I purposefully avoided the use of the words "master" and "dog" in the song in order to honor the sanctity of that special bond between Old Shep and his partner.

I quote Dennis the Menace, "If there ain't no dogs in heaven, it ain't heaven."

For more information on Shep, The River and Plains Society has published "The Story of Shep " booklet. It is available from the Society at Box 262, Fort Benton, Montana 59442.

The historic Shep photos are courtesy of The Schwinden Library, Montana Agricultural Center, Fort Benton, MT.