Noble Heart

Noble Heart celebrates the spirit of all things, not just of man. One of the most heartwarming stories is:

Old Shep

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. 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 Scriver 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."

This drawing of the Old Shep statue was done by Raven OKeefe. A talented artist based in Oregon, Raven specializes in animal portraits.

Check out her cool Web site at www.ravenokeefe.com

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.

CREDITS

All songs ©1995 Jack W. Gladstone, Glacier Pacific Publishing/BMI
(except "Pray for the Mother" ©1995 Christian Johnson, Cat and the Fiddle Publishing and
and "Ow, That's Hot" ©1995 Jack W. Gladstone, and Vincent Scott, Glacier Pacific Publishing/BMI)

Recorded at Jones Music & Sound, Kalispell, MT by Ron Reeves
Additional Recording at Last Chance Recording, Helena, MT by Bruce Anfinson and in Gallup, NM by Joseph James, Wolfco Productions
Mixed at Vinetree Studios, Boise, ID,by Ron Reeves, David Griffith and Christian Johnson
Mastered at Vinetree Studios, Boise, ID by Ian Powend and Ron Reeves.

Noble Heart is the combined effort of a dedicated production team consisting of Christian Johnson, David Griffith, Ron Reeves and myself. This team labored caffeindishly from mid-September to mid-November, 1995 placing other personal and professional considerations aside. My deep appreciation extends not only to Christian, Dave , and Ron, but also to their families, who surrendered time and proximity to their "noble hearts" to see this project come to fruition. Also my love and thanks to Linda and my daughter, Mariah, for their support, understanding and mocha runs that palpitated our hearts in times of sluggishness.

Special Thanks: Steve Sellars for providing dobro, Jerry Truppa for providing fiddles and pedal steel guitar, Bruce Anfinson, Paul and Helen Jones, Jim Luikens, Marie McNeal, David Lee, Linda Meredith, Margaret Griffith, Laura Reeves, Cathy Johnson, Cassandra Manuelito-Kerkvliet, Connie Jenkins, Tracy Ross, Old Shep Committee, Craig Wolf, Helen Smith, Navajo Code Talkers Association, Robert Wheeler - author of Jim Thorpe, World's Greatest Athlete, Benjamin Therriault, Doris A. Paul - author of The Navajo Code Talkers and countless friends and listeners who have provided their support.