Songs for dog memorial service?

Subject: Lyr Add: PUPPY LOVE
From: Polly Squeezebox
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 03:40 PM

I was never a fan of Donny Osmond, but it surprising that with just a little tweeking the words of his 'Puppy Love' could be appropriate. As below:

"Puppy Love"

And they called it puppy love
Oh we guess they'll never know
How young hearts really feel
And why we loved him so

And they called it puppy love
Just because we're in our teens
Tell them all oh please tell it isn't fair
To take away our canine friend

We cry each night these tears for him
Our tears are all in vain
We hope and pray that maybe some day
There will be such a dog in our life once again

Someone help us, help us please
Is the answer up above
How can we oh how can we tell them
This was sincere puppy love

I think you are very brave to share your grief and goodbyes with this group of youngsters. It will almost certainly teach them a very valuable life lesson and aid them in the process of grief and loss. Have you thought that you might do something positive like planting a tree in his memory as part of the ceremony - I'm sure all his doggie friends would appreciate it.

Polly

Subject: RE: Song(s) for dog memorial service?
From: Matt_R
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 03:27 PM

How about "Maybe Tomorrow," the theme from "The Littlest Hobo"?

Subject: RE: Song(s) for dog memorial service?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 03:26 PM

Hard to beat "Old Blue."

I buried him in a beautiful shade,
Dug his grave with a silver spade;
Let him down with a golden chain;
At every link I'd call his name:
Blue! Blue! Blue! Blue! You rascal you
I wish it was me instead of you.
(Snif)

See DT and especially thread 9707 for a better version: Old Blue

Subject: RE: Song(s) for dog memorial service? / Our Hour
From: Genie
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 02:53 PM

Here are the lyrics to "Our Hour (The Puppy Love Song)" and some links to help find an mp3.

Subject: RE: Song(s) for dog memorial service?
From: Sooz
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 02:19 PM

Dave'w Wife - I've sent you a PM.

You should hear "Stay Awhile" by Dave Wilson. It was written for his dog just after her demise and is very moving. There is a free download available
here

Subject: RE: Song(s) for dog memorial service?
From: Dartford Warbler
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 02:09 PM

Pretty sure there must be something from the pen of Les Barker
who lost his beloved Mrs Ackroyd some years ago.

Subject: RE: Song(s) for dog memorial service?
From: Genie
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 02:01 PM

So sorry about your dog's passing, Dave'sWife.

Song suggestions;

For sentimentality, there's Stephen Foster's "Old Dog Tray" or the folk song "Old Blue."

For a lighter "celebration of the life of" a canine companion, I heartily suggest "Our Hour (The Puppy Love Song" recorded by Spike Jones & His City Slickers on the album "Spiked! The Music of Spike Jones."

It's a hilarious song, complete with dog sounds, e.g., the chorus, which starts:
"This is ouwwrrrr (h)ouwwwrrr for love ... "

I'm looking for the lyrics on line, but it kind of looks like the copyright holders may have prohibited their posting, (One site has a spot for the song but it says "Lyrics removed.") Anyway, it's well worth the 99 cents to download the song at iTunes.   Even if you don't use it for your best friend's memorial.

Genie

Subject: RE: Song(s) for dog memorial service?
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 01:34 PM

I can't help you over appropriate music but just wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss. Non-dog owners/servants will not understand but we do, being devoted servants to our Yorkie, Max.

I hope your grief lessens soon and you will be able to enjoy only happy memories.

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Song(s) for dog memorial service?
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 01:25 PM

Actually, I remembered a lovely song from jane Siberry's first album about taking a walk with a dog named wolf in the snow at night. It's upbeat and fun. I'll have to dig it out and give it a listen.

Guest, somehow I don't think the kids would get the joke about My Dead Dog Rover since they really loved the dog and are genuinely upset by his death. Given that they grew up with him and that they visted him most every day, this loss is signifcant to them. I'd not be having a service at all had the kids not asked for one, so my request is perhaps a tad more sincere than your reply.

One of the girls, now age 11, is an only child and she used to come over and tell him about her day at school and confide in him about her problems when she was younger. She used to give him a daily brushing and once-over with the shedding comb and tell him all her troubles. I read an article not long ago that said lonely children often confide in pets as if they were people and that it is a healthy outlet for them. Luckily this girl now has a small dog of her own but still, she's very sad.

I've never held a dog memorial service and I really could use the advice. I'd like to choose a song that the kids can sing as well. As I said before, doesn't have to be a song about a dog - just appropriate to sing at the closing of an informal service for a dog and a scattering of ashes. One of the children used to sing "Your are my Sunshine" to the dog ut she just kept singing the chorus over and over, not being familiar with the entire song. (which is quite a downer) Maybe we'll do that and compose a special verse or two about him.

Subject: RE: Song(s) for dog memorial service?
From: kendall
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 01:18 PM

Old Shep is on my first album. (Folk Legacy)

---

Click here for lyrics

Subject: RE: Song(s) for dog memorial service?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 12:32 PM

DtG - the first thought that came to mind was Old Shep, but I don't have the words!

Subject: RE: Song(s) for dog memorial service?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 12:28 PM

Firstly condolonces to Daves Wife (and Dave I guess).

Secondly how come no one has mentioned 'Old Shep' yet?

DtG

Subject: Lyr Add: DEAD PUPPIES and ... MY DEAD DOG ROVER
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 12:15 PM

Two suggestions from the DT immediately leap to mind
You might also use the true song about SwanSeaJack the lifesaving dog of Wales that got poisoned out of jealousy.

DEAD PUPPIES

Dead puppies, dead puppies

Dead puppies aren't much fun.

Verses: They don't come, when you call
They don't chase no squirrels at all
Dead puppies aren't much fun

Mom said puppies' days are through
Then she chunked him in the stew
Dead puppies aren't much fun

Puppy died late last fall
He's still rotting in the hall
Dead puppies aren't much fun

I'M LOOKING OVER MY DEAD DOG ROVER

I'm looking over my dead dog, Rover,
Who I hit with the power mower.
One leg is missing, the other is gone,
A third leg is scattered all over the lawn.
No need explaining the one remaining
Is spinning on the car port floor...
I'm looking over my dead dog, Rover,
Who I over-looked before!

I'm looking over my dead dog, Rover,
Who I hit with the power mower.
My dog's not eating, he no longer barks;
He hit the propeller and turned into sparks.
No need explaining, there's no dog remaining;
He's a part of the lawn you see...
I'm looking over my dead dog, Rover,
Who I sent to Eternity!

tune: I'm Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover

SINCERELY

Subject: Lyr Add: BESS (Steve Thomason)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 12:13 PM

There's Steve Thomason's song about a much-loved family pet...

BESS

When I was seven our old dog died, Eventually my mother agreed that we should have another pup, Bess. When I first moved from the town to live on a farm, Bess was my constant companion.

Chorus - A better friend no man could have
No truer heart, no keener eye,
A better friend no man could have,
As the sun sets in the western sky.

I've had her since I was a boy
Since first I came onto the farm,
Her company has brought me joy,
Her courage kept me safe from harm

She's been with me on all my walks,
By rushing stream and bracken glen,
And listened close to all my talks,
And never disagreed with them.

And as we walked by moorland stream,
We watched the wild hare running by,
Relived those walks in all our dreams,
As skylarks sang in summer skies.

But now she lies close by the hearth,
No hares to chase, no skylarks fly,
She takes that one last lonely path,
As the sunlight fades from western skies.


Kitty

Subject: Lyr Add: SHANNON (Henry Gross)
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 11:41 AM

This is in all seriousness. My Alsatian passed away last Tuesday (Sept 12th) and he was an immensely popular fellow in our neighborhood and at the local dog park. Some local children have asked if we can have a funeral and I said OK to it without thinking it through. He's being cremated and we plan to scatter his ashes at the vista lookout point in the Dog park. I thought we might sing a song to make it less awful.

Some people have suggested that Henry Gross sing from the 1970s called "Shannon" which is actually about a dog who dies and the sadness of her family in the aftermath but it's maudlin and wholly inappropriate. here is a sampling of the lyrics so you'll see what I mean:

SHANNON - Henry Gross

Another day is at end
Mama says she's tired again
No one can even begin to tell her
I hardly know what to say
But maybe it's better that way
If Papa were here I'm sure he'd tell her

Shannon is gone I heard
She's drifting out to sea
She always loved to swim away
Maybe she'll find an island
With a shaded tree
Just like the one in our backyard

Mama tries hard to pretend
That things will get better again
Somehow she's keepin' it all inside her
But finally the tears fill our eyes
And I know that somewhere tonight
She knows how much we really miss her

Shannon is gone I heard
She's drifting out to sea
She always loved to swim away
Maybe she'll find an island
With a shaded tree
Just like the one in our back yard



Now the sick thing is - the Internet legends say this about a golden retriever who was playing with a ball at the shore and went out to far , getting caught in the undertow and swept out to sea. It matches the lyrics but what an awful thought! Not exactly the song for this occasion, eh?

When making suggestions, it doesn't have to be a song about a dog who died or even about a dog. I just think a song about loyalty, friendship, and other such dog traits would be fine. Dog songs are fine, just doesn't necessarily have to be a dog song, you know?

The kids that loved him most are old enough to be bereaved and wouldn't respond well to anything to childish. They are between the ages of 8 and 16 and several of them literally grew up with him. He was euthanized after having a stroke that partially paralyzed him so most of them got to actually say goodbye to him when we made the decision. We carried him into the front yard and let them lay down next to him and cuddle him, brush him and so on.

I'd like the service to be brief, let the kids say what they want, scatter the ashes and then wrap up with a song and go home. Any ideas? A number of adults will be attending too along with their dogs who were his pals so I'd like to consider them as well. I know it seems a bit over the top, but he was a wonderful lad and we all loved him. As bad as I feel about his loss, I feel worse for some of the kids who really are broken up about it. I feel having a little service up on the hill will be just the thing.


RIP Puppers (photo of him)