A custom song for the
pet who was family.

[Verse 1] I drove out to Hearne one cold November night Last black pup she had — last day of his life Set to be put down before the break of dawn So I paid what she asked and I loaded him on Took one look at the brand-new King Ranch seat And christened the leather before we hit the street Four hours at the Shell with a roll of paper towels That black-furred boy had a way all his own [Verse 2] Back roads got dark and he leapt from the bed Eighty miles an hour — I was sure he was dead I cried to the woman who gave him to me The whole town went looking through the brush and the trees Next day she called, said "Come on, pick him up" Not a scratch on his coat — like he'd never been touched That same night on the porch he caught a bird from the sky Some dogs come into this world a legend — that's why [Pre-Chorus] He could hear my old truck from five miles away Be sittin' at the gate 'fore I turned in the drive [Chorus] Bubba — my big black bear Purple tongue and a chow's loyal heart He picked his people and he picked 'em hard A good boy, Bubba — every mile right from the start [Verse 3] When the Corps called me out, Mama took him in Ten Texas summers, she made him her own She wouldn't give him back, and I couldn't blame her none Some dogs find their person — some find a home [Bridge] Now he's skin and bones in a quiet house in Brock Won't eat, can't run, just lays beside the clock Thirteen years of footsteps on the hardwood floor House gonna sound a whole lot different when he ain't here no more You stayed tough as nails, you stuck with me through it all And if I could say one thing, brother — we love you in spite of it all [Final Chorus] Bubba — my big black bear Purple tongue and a chow's loyal heart You picked your people and you picked 'em hard A good boy, Bubba — I'll thank God for you the rest of my life [Outro] Lay down in the shade, brother Lay down easy now — you're home, you're home