Kenny Chesney Releases Song In Honor Of His Late Pitbull

Earlier this week, Kenny Chesney's beloved pitbull, Ruby, passed away. He said of her on his social media in part, "She had an ancient, calming soul. She was honest and authentic; she was a protector. Ruby loved the sun and how it felt on her face. She and I had that in common. I'm going to miss her, especially in the mornings. That's when she and I really connected. 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."

Kenny has now released a song he wrote for his dog years ago called "Da Ruba Girl," with proceeds helping one of the nation's largest pit bull rescue shelters. Chesney said in a press release, "No one had a bigger, bolder heart than Da Ruba Girl, whose name was Ruby. She was a rescue my friend Mary brought into our lives, and she was the most loving, gentle soul. It's why she inspired the song and truly how she showed us better ways to be human. Losing her has left a hole there are no words for."

He added, "And while she was a rescue, she truly rescued every single person who came in contact with her. To honor her life, I wanted that love and her ability to rescue people to continue. I wanted to do something that embodied what she was and that would also help people know these dogs can save you. So it only made sense – after all the years of people asking – to release Ruby's song and to let 'Da Ruba Girl' pay it forward by helping the incredible people at Stray Rescue of St. Louis, who not only worked closely with us after the hurricanes in the Virgin Islands but who also continue to help find homes for big dogs, old dogs and especially pits, which they are one of the largest shelters for."

Starting today (12/9), "Da Ruba Girl" will be available for purchase via iTunes and on all streaming platforms. All proceeds from the song will be donated to Stray Rescue of St. Louis. Additional donations may be made through their website: StrayRescue.org. Be sure to note the gift "In Honor of Da Ruba Girl" – and help make other abandoned animals' holidays brighter while they're waiting on their forever home.

Chesney said of helping other Pitbulls in his dog's name, "They say we rescue them, but I know from experience we're really the ones who are rescued. And I also know some of the biggest angels on earth are the people who work in the shelters, healing these poor, abandoned, often abused babies. Ruby was everything good, and in her memory, this is her way of continuing to give and bring love where it's most needed."

Today (2/20), Kenny Chesney releases his brand new single "Here And Now" to country radio and what a great reason to celebrate him in pictures. Let's take a look at the four-time CMA Entertainer of the Year  Kenny in the last couple of years.