Trace Adkins Narrates Dog’s Tale for U.S. Postal Service

Trace Adkins is helping children learn more about Owney, a dog who played a real role in mail-service history. The free, downloadable book called 'Owney: Tales From the Rails,' is available online and also as an Apple iPad app. Trace reads the story and uses music to help bring to life the true adventures of Owney, who helped deliver mail in the U.S. and around the world.

Owney became famous after he took up residence at the post office in Albany, N.Y. A postman named Clark adopted Owney, and all the other postal employees became his surrogate family. When Clark transferred to the rail post office, which transported letters and packages from town to town via the railroad, Owney went with him. Soon, the pooch was known at post office stops along the rail line as much as he was in his hometown of Albany. The story Trace narrates and sings includes Owney's adventures in Canada and on a post office ship that took him around the world, literally.

"As a father of five, a history buff and animal lover, I am very proud to work with the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum to bring Owney's fascinating story to life," says Trace. "The song and this story provide a fun way for families to learn together."

The Smithsonian's Postal Museum has an exhibit that focuses on Owney and his very interesting life. The dog has been preserved and is on display at the museum, which also provides an Owney curriculum guide to support learning platforms for elementary school students, Owney is also the subject of a recently released commemorative stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service.

This is a natural move for Trace, who three youngest daughters love for him to read to them when he's at home. They also have dogs, so it is a relatable story for them when they hear about Owney and all the things he gets to do. It also fits right in with Trace's upcoming Songs and Stories tour, which launches in March. The intimate tour will play to smaller venues than Trace has been playing recently, and gives the singer the chance to talk to his audience about the songs he'll be performing.

'Owney' is now available at the Postal Museum's official website.