Dog Names Meaning Tender

In October of 1968, the Beatles released the "White Album." Within the album was a song that was named, "Martha, My Dear." It was a piano ditty that fans instantly believed was a reflection of Paul's love for Jane and their sad breakup. Interestingly, the song had nothing to do with Jane and was merely about Paul's beloved dog Martha. 

When questioned about the song and his relationship with the dog, Paul McCartney said, “She was a dear pet of mine. I remember John [Lennon] being amazed to see me being so loving to an animal. He said, ‘I’ve never seen you like that before.’ I’ve since though, you know, he wouldn’t have. It’s only when you’re cuddling around with a dog that you’re in that mode, and she was a very cuddly dog.”

Martha became a famous pooch around the world. She was photographed innumerable times and appeared in many pictures with the Beatles band members and her beloved owner Paul. The Old English Sheepdog spent her life at McCartney's farmhouse in Mull of Kintyre located in Scotland.  During her life, she was the mother to many offspring. Martha passed away in 1981 at the farmhouse. She was 15 years old. In 1993, one of her offspring was featured on the cover of McCartney's album "Paul Is Live." The dog's name is Arrow,  and she is the spitting image of Martha. 

Undoubtedly, Martha's loving and tender nature is what spurred the deep bond with Paul. It is also the main reason why she had a song written about her that would become an iconic part of Rock and Roll history. Paul would joke, "Our relationship was platonic, believe me."  However, the pooch was his buddy and his friend. No doubt it was the companionship of Martha that even helped him through his breakup with Jane Asher.