Maria Daines: MUSIC

• MP3 play whole song, hi-fi (broadband)
• MP3 download whole song, hi-fi

A tribute song for Burt, an elderly dog rescued by The Sanctuary For Senior Dogs, Ohio, Cleveland, United States. 'Old Dogs' is not on free download because the sanctuary may use it for their fund raising events in the future.


Here is Burt's story.

Burt, a ten year old Golden Retriever/St. Bernard mix, came to the Sanctuary from Wayne County where he was picked up collapsed along a country road. He was apparently not injured, just tired out from all of his wanderings although an X-Ray much later revealed that he was filled with buck shot and one bullet lodged just to the left of his spine. A handsome fellow, Burt went to live in an area assisted living facility, but a change in management brought him back to the Sanctuary where his gentle disposition and his knack for making people smile made him a logical candidate for Sanctuary therapy dog.

Gretchen accompanied Burt to his therapy dog classes and showed him the ropes. He passed his Therapy Dog International test on June 6, 2004, and served as the Sanctuary therapy dog. In January 2005 and again in April 2007, he passed the Delta Society test for therapy dogs. Each week Burt visited A New Day, an adult day care center connected to Lakewood Hospital, where he developed quite a fan club. He visited area schools and libraries for special events. He also worked with Harbor Light Hospice. Burt crossed the Rainbow Bridge on November 7, 2007, after suffering a series of strokes. His passing has left a huge hole in all of our hearts. Godspeed, big fellow.


THE SANCTUARY FOR SENIOR DOGS

'Old Dogs'


What will I do without you now
How will I know you're smiling down
Are you at peace wherever you are
Oh my sweet boy my shining star

It took an old dog to teach goodbye
How I let go just passed me by
And nothing lasts but memories true
Oh how will I stop missing you

You showed the world how love can be
A wagging tail broke the misery
Your life was hard but you went on
What can I do now you are gone

I'll tell your story, tell your joy
My precious one my beautiful boy
I'll tell them all what courage is
No boundary when you make the bridge

Cos old dogs know when life is sweet
They've seen it all, they've met defeat
They've walked the road less travelled, hard
They've felt the chain in a lonely yard
They've known the hand of cruel fate
They've seen their owners shut the gate
They've cried when no one hears their pain
They've been the one left out in the rain
And all they ask is a loyal friend
To stay with them unto the end
One who cares and one who saves
One to share their last refrain

What will I do without you now
How will I know you're smiling down
Are you at peace wherever you are
My precious boy my shining star...


© Maria Daines/Paul Killington
All Rights Reserved
(mcps) ASCAP
2007




Update:

Some great news! The Sanctuary For Senior Dogs has just released a compilation of our songs, including title track 'Old Dogs'. If you would like to support the sanctuary and help them to keep vital funds coming in you can order a copy of the CD from their website -

THE SANCTUARY FOR SENIOR DOGS

And keeping it in the family, my lovely mum Mary Coe has painted a beautiful picture of Vinnie the sanctuary's new therapy dog 'in training' and the painting now resides in the Sanctuary's Adoption & Education Center. The portrait will be offered as a raffle prize to help raise funds for senior dogs during 'Old Dog Days' in November. Raffle tickets will be available for sale in early October. The sanctuary will also be making prints of the portrait for sale to all of Vinnie's fans. You can view more of mum's work on this link -


www.myspace.com/marysartforanimals




Please also support The Sanctuary For Senior Dogs by passing on the link to their website, thank you :)


"He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever - in case I need him. And I expect I will - as I always have. He is just my dog."

-- Gene Hill
Source: Dog Hause Visitor Richard Jenkins


QUOTES FROM THE DOG HAUSE