Shep

The following happened in Fort Benton, Montana in the not so distant past.  Anyone who enjoys the company of a pet will identify with this story.  

Following is a quotation from a placard standing in the heart of Fort Benton: 

"Shep's Vigil

"In August 1936 a casket containing a sheepherder's body was loaded on a baggage car headed east for burial.  A dog, of collie strain, watched with anxious eyes.  He was there to meet every train year after year.

"Conductor Ed Shields by 1939 pieced the dog's story together, linking Shep with the body shipped that August day.  With the real story known, Shep became famous.  Many, many well-intentioned offers to adopt him were gently declined; friends knew Shep's sole aim was to keep his vigil.  Shep died on January 12, 1942, slipping on the tracks before an oncoming train.  His passing was mourned by all who knew his story.  He was laid to rest atop the bluff above the depot; his funeral was attended by hundreds.  Reverend Ralph Underwood took as his theme Senator George Graham Vest's 'Eulogy on the  Dog,' a tribute to a dog's faithfulness to his master which Shep so fully exemplified."

The above photo is the memorial where Shep is buried.  

"Forever Faithful" is a bronze sculpture by Bob Scriver that stands beside the walking path in downtown Fort Benton.  The Missouri River makes for a great backdrop.  The "FB" on the hillside in the upper right hand side of the photo is made of field stones painted white.

The hundreds of red-coloured bricks surrounding the base of the sculpture are individual and personal memorials to Shep.  These memorial bricks have been donated by people from all over the world...even from Medicine Hat.  

Animals are thankfully an important part of life.

Photographed on November 23, 2017.

Ida and Walter

Flowers for Ida...

...and a guitar for Walter.

The headstones are stained glass set into cast concrete.    

Photographed in Longlaketon United Church Cemetery near Silton, Saskatchewan on May 17, 2021.

Kopernick

Near Woodglen, Alberta.  Kopernick Parish Hall and...

...Ascension of Jesus Christ Ukrainian Catholic Church.  

Someone left a light on.

Photographed near on December 16, 2020.

Christ Church

Christ Church was built a few miles south of Abernathy, Saskatchewan in 1886.  

In 1904 it was moved into town and holds the designation of being the oldest church in the area as well as the longest surviving building in the village.

White with green trim is a perennial favourite.

A look through a window shows a spartan interior...no frills, no stained glass windows, nothing fancy.

Information courtesy of Canada's Historic Places.

Photographed on May 18, 2021.

Cottonwood S.D. No. 171

An attractive one-room school near Pense, Saskatchewan.

The design of Cottonwood School is more like pioneer schools I've encountered in North Dakota than in Saskatchewan.  I love all the angles created by the varying roof lines...it dares to be different!

Photographed on May 17, 2021.

Святого Михайла

A look inside the little country church of Saint Michael's.

Close ups of the royal doors...

...and tabernacle.

The rich red, white and gold brocade of a priest's robe.

Peaceful and quiet inside.

Unassuming on the outside.

A tall wooden Orthodox cross stands with the spruce trees at the entrance to the cemetery.

Some history.

Saint Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church was photographed near Candiac, Saskatchewan on May 19, 2021.

Saint Alban's Welcomes You

Saint Alban's Anglican Church was built 1914-1915. 

The gable roof is adorned with a small bell turret. 

Snow lays over the grave covers like a soft white blanket.

Wrought iron gates attached to stone pillars at the front of the church.

Photographed near Athabasca, Alberta on February 18, 2021.

Saint John in Sintaluta

Saint John the Baptist Anglican Church in Sintaluta, Saskatchewan.

Above the stone entryway the bell tower and steeple are constructed of brick and tin-clad wood.

There are three pair of double-arched windows flanked by decorative flying buttresses on the sides of the building.

Each window is covered by a wooden shutter that closes by the pull of a chain from the inside of the church.

Saint John was built in 1899.

Photographed on May 18, 2021.

Long Shots (Sacred Heart near Altorado)

A couple of long shots taken from Township Road 40 in southeastern Alberta.  It was near lunchtime and Sacred Heart Church looked like the perfect spot for a picnic (and it was).

Photographed on April 20, 2017.

Abandoned Brick School

A red brick schoolhouse near Alvena, Saskatchewan.  From what little information I could find on the area, this may be either Kotzko School or Pitt School.

Photographed on January 16, 2021.