when i was a lad and old shep was a pup o er hills and meadows we d stray just a boy and his dog we both full of fun we grew up together that way i remember the time at the old swimmin hole when i would have drowned beyond doubt shep was right there to the rescue he came he jumped in and helped pull me out so the years sped along and at last he grew old his eyesight was fast growin dim then one day the doctor looked at me and said i can t do no more for him jim with a hand that was tremblin i picked up my gun i aimed it at shep s faithful head i just couldn t do it i wanted to run and i wished that they d shoot me instead i went to his side and i sat on the ground he laid his head on my knee i stroked the best pal that a man ever found i cried so i scarcely could see old sheppie he knew he was goin to go for he reached out and licked at my hand he looked up at me just as much as to say we re parting but you understand now old shep is gone where the good doggies go and no more with old shep will i roam but if dogs have a heaven there s one thing i know old shep has a wonderful home