Tyler Rich joined Audacy as we continue our CMA Fest coverage, brought to you by Simple Green. The California-native, who recently said goodbye to his four-legged best friend told us all about a song he wrote to honor her and we’ll warn you now — you should probably have a whole box of tissues handy.
LISTEN NOW: Tyler Rich talks to Katie Neal at CMA Fest
It’s no secret Tyler Rich is an advocate for rescue animals all over, but there’s one in particular who’s had his heart for 17 years — his Husky, Abby. Rich rescued Abby when he was just 19 years old and credits her for “raising him more than he raised her,” as the pair toured all over to get Rich’s career off the ground. Seventeen years after adopting his best friend, Rich had to say goodbye just six weeks ago.
“It’s been brutal, I always cry talking about it,” Tyler told Audacy’s Katie Neal, before sharing he wrote a song titled, "Dogs Don’t Die," honoring Abby and the memories, nose smudges, and dog hair she left behind.
“I see little smudges on the windows and I think of her nose and I’m like, ‘Dogs Don’t Die,’ they live with you forever, they’re family. It’s a feel-good, happy song,” he said. “I did record it in the middle of the night at my house… with her ashes next to me. I sang the song, and it took me forever, but I did it and I hope the emotion shows in it because I felt it for sure when I was recording it.”
The song has already captured the hearts of dog lovers everywhere and it isn’t even released yet. While no official release date has been set, a snippet of the surprisingly upbeat tune can be heard on Rich’s social media pages and it’s already helped thousands cope with the loss of their furry besties and encouraged others to hug theirs a little tighter.
“Dogs Don’t Die” isn’t the only new song on the way from Rich who says he’s “been writing like crazy" and has “a bunch of stuff” he’s excited about. Hear more about what’s to come, plus tour dates, his latest single and more by hearing his full interview with Katie Neal above.
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