Kenny Chesney Honors Late ‘Heaven Of A Dog’ With Release Of Charitable Song

Dec 21, 2022

Kenny Chesney is best known for being a country music singer and songwriter. On top of that, he is also an incredibly skilled guitarist. He has been a chart-topping artist for decades, with many of his singles topping not only the country charts but also doing extremely well on the US Billboard Hot 100, making him a highly successful crossover artist.

Chesney was born on Mar. 26, 1968, in Knoxville, Tennessee. During high school, he found an interest in playing sports and also received his first guitar. Although he pursued higher education in a non-musical direction, the star recorded a demo album during his time in college. After graduating in 1990, he moved to Nashville and performed at local clubs, including the famous Bluebird Cafe, before finally landing a record deal a few years later.

From then on, Chesney has been a notable name in the world of country music. He has won the Entertainer of the Year award from the Country Music Association Awards and Academy of Country Music Awards, as well as several Grammy Awards.

Some of the singer’s best songs include “Don’t Blink, “There Goes My Life” and “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem.” He is still releasing music to this day and even embarked on a tour during the spring and summer of 2022.

However, in December 2022, Chesney’s beloved dog Ruby passed away. He honored her through several social media posts and a heartfelt song. Not only that, but he used the proceeds from the song for something near and dear to his heart.

Chesney is no stranger to giving back to others. The singer-songwriter helped victims of Hurricane Irma in 2017. He owns a mansion on St. John in the US Virgin Islands, where many people stayed to hold out until the storm passed. Chesney set up a charitable fund to help the victims and also donated proceeds from his album “Songs for the Saints,” which was released the following year and inspired by the tragic events that took place.

In December 2022, Chesney used his musical gift once again to help those in need – but this time, it was even more emotional. He went to Instagram to announce that his beloved dog Ruby had passed away on Dec. 4, 2022. In the caption, he wrote:

“Today we lost Da Ruba Girl. Ruby lived her life never holding anything against anybody. She had an ancient, calming soul. She was honest and authentic, she was a protector, she took a warrior’s path in the journey of her life. Ruby loved the sun and how it felt on her face. She and I had that in common. Today I know Ruby is sitting somewhere with the sun on her face happy and grateful to have slipped her skin and body that was full of cancer.”

The “Don’t Blink” singer added that the dog was grateful for being rescued and that his family was equally as grateful for having the opportunity to rescue her. Chesney continued:

“So bye-bye, Ruby. You were a very good girl. We loved you and thank you for teaching us how to love unconditionally. You were one heaven of a dog. ‘She’ll be known all over the world… as Da Ruba Girl.’”

So, to honor Ruby, Chesney released the charitable single “Da Ruba Girl.” 

According to PEOPLE, the proceeds from the song will go toward the Stray Rescue of St. Louis, one of the largest rescue organizations in the US. 

Chesney posted on Twitter, “Losing Ruby has left a hole there are no words for... To honor her life, it only made sense to let ‘Da Ruba Girl,’ the song she inspired, pay it forward by helping the incredible people at Stray Rescue of St. Louis.” In a separate tweet, he said, “No one had a bigger, bolder heart than Ruby.”

The country music star told PEOPLE:

"I wrote 'Da Ruba Girl' about Ruby, because she was this spirit who had so many different pieces to who she was. It was a fun song, and I'd recorded it, but never included it on an album. Instead we'd play it on No Shoes Radio, where it became a fan favorite. People loved the song, I think, because they all knew a dog who had the same kind of spirit or heart, you know, the kind who was an underdog, who wasn't the obvious choice."

The song’s emotional lyrics highlight the relationship between Chesney and his late pup, reading:

“You needed her, she needed you. To hold, to help fill a space. Last in line, last cage at the rescue. Was a love that no one could replace. Lying there like a lost string of pearls. Was da Ruba girl."

Chesney gave a message to those interested in purchasing the song and helping shelter dogs:

“For every dog in the world like Ruby, I hope 'Da Ruba Girl' can bring them new homes, raise money for the shelter and remind people there's a really profound love that happens when you adopt a rescue who truly needs a home.”

Have you heard this Kenny Chesney song? What do you think about him donating the proceeds to a noble cause? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to your family, friends and any animal lover you know.