Known as Yusuf Islam since his conversion to Islam in the late 1970s, the legendary musical artist was still Cat Stevens when he released “I Love My Dog” back in 1966. The song is all about man’s best friend, celebrating dogs for their loyalty and love. If you have a sneaking suspicion that dogs are better than people, the line “But you may fade, my dog will always come through” will really speak to you!
In 2016, on the occasion of the song’s 50th anniversary, Yusuf was glad to allow People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to use the song royalty-free. PETA, the largest animal rights group in the world, thought it would be perfect for a video they were making in order to remind people that the older dogs they see at animal shelters need homes, too.
We’ve posted the video below and as you’ll see, “I Love My Dog” really was the right choice of music. A man decides he’s going to adopt a dog and happily does some preparation, getting a leash, food bowl and doggy bed. At the shelter, he sees “senior dog” and it’s love at first sight. We see the good times he has with his new best friend, whether it’s going out for walks or hanging out on the couch watching TV. But one day the dog stops in his tracks and stares at him, letting him know something is wrong. The vet confirms it and sadly, it’s time to say goodbye.
However long or short our time with our canine friend is, every second is worth it. Animal shelters often have a hard time finding forever homes for older dogs, even though they’re at least as deserving as the youngsters. So if you can, consider adopting an older pet.
Does the Cat Stevens classic “I Love My Dog” resonate with you? Let us know in the comments at Facebook. Be sure to like and share: get out the word that all dogs, including older ones, need loving homes!
https://youtu.be/CTHXXUvZofU
