Old Shep, Patient Pooch

Died 1942 - Fort Benton, Montana

Shep, a collie, was devoted to his sheepherder master. But the man died in 1936, and was shipped back East on the Great Northern Railroad. Afterward, Shep met every train -- looking for his master to return -- until he was run over by one in 1942. Great Northern employees buried the dog and erected a marker over the grave.

That marker is still there, up by the grain elevators and golf course. But in 1992, the 50th anniversary of Shep's death, Fort Benton decided that their noble dog deserved better. They raised $100,000 for a larger-than-life Shep statue by "selling" the 40,000 bricks that went into its base at 25 bucks apiece. Bob Scriver, Montana's best-known sculptor, crafted Shep in heroic bronze. Shep is thus the most honored of all noble dogs, though certain folks grumble that he actually spent most of his time running around eating chickens.

(Note: The 1938 Red Foley song -- "Old Shep" -- is not related to this Old Shep. In case you were wondering.)

Field visit report on Old Shep

Forever Faithful - Old Shep:
Address: Fort Benton, MT [Show Map]
Directions: The grave is on the north edge of town, on a hill overlooking the train depot, up by the grain elevators and the Signal Point Golf Club. The statue is downtown on Front St., just north of Hwy 80, in the park across from the Grand Union Hotel.
Admission: Free.
Hours: Daylight hours. (Call to verify)
Phone: 406-622-3355