Hey, frendz. Have you ever heard the JournoDog song? It goes like this:
“Journo, Journo, Journoooo-Dog… Don’t take the truth away from me!”
It’s an important, world-known song from long ago by the one and only Dolly Parton. [Check it out on the Instagram charts.]
And that’s been on my mind lately, as the world says goodbye to my pal Dolly Lady, a legend in country music, hooman kindness and animal love. Yes, we all have heavy hearts sprinkled with tail wags as we fondly remember the light she brought to this world.
This scoop-sniffing JournoDog included.
If Dolly herself can sing a press-freedom anthem in my honor, the least I can do is give our country queen the scoop she deserves.
Appalachian roots
Even though my press badge and fur-ever home keeps me up in the Mitten State these days, my roots run deep back in the same Appalachian area where Dolly hails from.
Folks know that my original stomping grounds in Happy Valley, Kentucky and Dolly’s birthplace in Sevier County, Tennessee are basically Appalachian neighbors in the grand scheme of things.
That is why saying goodbye to her hits so close to home for this Kentucky mutt.
Musical dog harmony
Her love of doggos ran throughout her life and career. Her first professional recording, “Puppy Love,” came in 1959 when she was just 13. But funny fact: that tune was actually not about a puppy, but a hooman boy who pulled her pigtails, as she once told NPR.
Dolly later shared the remarkable story of her beloved Boston Terrier named Popeye, whom she credited with interrupting a profoundly dark moment and helping save her life.
Tail wags to Popeye there!
In her later career, Dolly embraced her “god-dog” named Billy the Kid, a French bulldog owned by her longtime manager Danny Nozell. That doggo Billy inspired and stars in Parton’s children’s-book series with several books featuring his name.
Dolly also brought her affection for dogs into her Doggy Parton business selling pet apparel, toys, and accessories — also featuring Billy the Kid.
It’s all pretty amazing.
Animal welfare tailwags
Books are another big part of Dolly’s story. She spent her whole life working “9 to 5” to make this world a sweeter place for everyone, hoomans and animals alike.
Aside from mailing millions of books through her Imagination Library charitable cause, she used her celeb platform and voice to make a difference for animal welfare.
- Worked with fellow singer Emmylou Harris to lend their music to a 2006 PETA campaign urging people to bring dogs indoors rather than leave them chained outside.
- Helped establish the American Eagle Foundation’s 30,000-square-foot Eagle Mountain Sanctuary at her Dollywood theme park, which provides permanent care for bald eagles that cannot be released into the wild.
- More recently, proceeds from her Doggy Parton pet-products line have supported Willa B. Farms, an East Tennessee animal-rescue org.
So many tail-wags for all of this.
No doubt Dolly was a gem in this world. She proved that you could have a “Coat of Many Colors,” but nothing shined brighter than her generous spirit.
Final JournoDog musical note
And don’t forget, Dolly somehow even could sing through time. Way back in the early 70s, she captured the idea of a catchy tune about yours-truly, JournoDog.
My sources aren’t fully sure, but supposedly the inspiration came from a red coonhound named Jolene that GRRRR’d at Dolly’s husband while they were on the way into a bank. And she sang a song about it. 🐶😉
I’m not the only one. Many other pooches and pet-fluencers have expressed their sad tails when hearing Dolly has crossed the 🌈 🌉. Not only for her heart, but for being a part of so many pet playlists – including my Instagram frendz Sammy & Charlie (@thegoldenbros247) with this fun, tail-thumbing 9 to 5 reel.
We’re all sad she’s gone, but this particular Appalachian-valley JournoDog will clearly always love you, Dolly Lady.
Remember, love your pets. Support local journalism. Respect facts and where you hail from. And always try to find smiles and happz for your heart every day.
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