Dierks Bentley lost his friend of 15 years when his beloved dog, Jake, died in early July. No doubt a tough time for the singer, Bentley decided to channel his grief into a tribute to his old friend in concert.

While performing "Every Mile a Memory" during a stop on his Somewhere on a Beach Tour, Bentley paused several times to look at the screen behind him, which displayed photos of Jake. There were images of the two together, as well as Bentley's wife with Jake and the dog seated beside an American flag.

Jake had been battling cancer at the time of his death. Bentley noticed lumps on his pal last year and put him on chemotherapy. Jake had been by his side for countless awards shows and events throughout his career, even attending the recent opening of Bentley’s Country Music Hall of Fame exhibit.

“Jake’s been with me through every phase of my career, since before I had a publishing deal … before I even had a gig, really,” Bentley told attendees at the June opening of the attraction. “When I got my first gigs downtown, he’d be waiting there in the windowsill. He actually wore out a little spot in the couch where he’d wait for me. I’d come home real late, and he’d be there sitting in the window, putting in his time. Those were his years of grinding, sitting in the window waiting for me.”

A song on Bentley's new Black album is dedicated to Jake. The final verse of "Can’t Be Replaced" goes:

“For 15 years, right by my side / From a single man to three kids and a wife / Friends come and go, but when it comes to Jake / There’s just some things that can’t be replaced.”

Dierks Bentley Writes Heartfelt Song for His Dog, Jake

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