My dog Ralph died today, so I've been thinking about dog songs. I'm glad I found this thread. I came across a song called "My Dog Sam" when I was working on the Rise Again songbook last year. My dog already had congestive heart failure, so I knew he didn't have long to live. This song really struck me.

MY DOG SAM
(Bill Harley)

My dog Sam was a good old dog
He was my best friend
Now he's gone & he won't be back
And I'll never see him again / I'll never see him again

My mom brought him from the pound / When I was only 3
She gave him baths, my dad gave him bones
But he mostly belonged to me / He mostly…

Sam chased rabbits, Sam chased squirrels
One time he caught a skunk
We washed him in tomato juice
But you know that dog still stunk / You know…

The first night that I slept outside
I was so scared I thought I'd die
The sky was big & the night was dark
But Sam stayed right by my side / He slept…

The other night I woke from sleep
I knew something was wrong
I'd seen Sam in my dreams
And I knew that old Sam was gone

I've still got Sam's tennis ball
I keep it in my penny can
I'm gonna get me another dog
But I'll never get another Sam

——w & m: Bill Harley
© 1986 Round River Music/Bill Harley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qafbV7ehTcA