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Country Music Stars Speak Up for Their Animal Friends
When Nashville animal lovers Karen Will Rogers and Laura Lacy set out
to improve conditions at their local animal shelter, they joined with
Country Music Television (CMT) and called upon local country music superstars
for help. The results fill the pages of their new book Music Row Dogs and Nashville Cats: Country Stars and Their Pets, featuring heartwarming testimonials from Dierks Bentley, Wynonna, Clint Black, Lee Ann Womack, Tanya Tucker, and more, with beautiful photographs by Rogers of the stars and their beloved animal companions. A portion of the proceeds benefit Nashville animal protection organizations. Read an excerpt and quotes from the book below, and pick up a copy at Amazon.com.
From the Introduction: “In 1998, Nashville, Tennessee, a major city producing legendary music artists for more than five decades, rich in history and American culture, had a 30-year-old animal shelter that was mismanaged, in horrific condition, and sorely neglected. The fact that it was a government-run facility made it even worse. Karen Will Rogers, an animal lover and photographer, convinced the interim director to allow her to photographically document the abominable conditions. When the photos hit the front-page news and air waves, it stunned the city. Our findings generated an amazing response from some highly recognizable faces, including country music stars, media, city council members, and animal rights activists.”
 “I love all animals. I just don’t understand why we humans tend to think we are the big deal here on earth. The whole issue of mankind forgetting the essence of why we’re here really bugs me. We’re not the end-all and be-all on this planet.” —Deana Carter |
 “I think everyone needs to be a little better tuned into the needs of other living beings, outside of our own little worlds. Listen, I want this earth to be a better place for my children. I need to be an example. I’m happy to be associated with bettering our community, and if that means speaking out about a topic like animals, who make us all happy and change so many lives, that’s the easy part.” —Vince Gill |
 “He keeps me warm at night and has probably kept me out of a lot of dysfunctional relationships. … I really wish more people would put thought into the responsibility of owning a pet.” —Terri Clark |
 “I found Jake at the Nashville Pound. … I wish everyone would look at their dog as if they’re children. Don’t do anything to your pet that you wouldn’t do to your child. They need to be respected, just like people.” —Dierks Bentley |
 “If we are truly an evolving race, with all of our technology and our advances, we cannot possibly leave animals behind; we must be compassionate and look out for them. If everyone who wanted a pet would just go to the pound instead of the mall, and everyone would spay and neuter, we could all make a difference. Just think twice. And spread the word. Educate your kids; take them to the shelter, show them how those animals live, teach them compassion for living creatures at an early age. It will teach them love and appreciation in other ways, too.” —Katie Cook, CMT host |
 “In the Bible it says God created animals and man, and we were given dominion. Some people might see that to mean animals are less important, but I don’t see it like that. Knowledge gives us the responsibility of understanding why things happen and of taking care of animals, who don’t understand. Owning an animal brings you closer to nature and being around animals this size teaches you the order of things. I find it a spiritual experience, frankly, closer to God. Any time you get love, it’s a good thing.” —Brad Paisley |
| “I really get upset when I see something on the news about animal abuse and neglect. It’s like having children: if you can’t feed them and take care of them, then don’t get pregnant. The same goes for animals—if you aren’t going to take care of a pet, don’t get one.” —Lorrie Morgan |
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Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton are helping bring animal-friendly messages to millions of viewers through two new PETA public service announcements now airing on stations across the country. Dolly donated her bluegrass song “Will He Be Waiting for Me?” for a 
