Super Sam

Smiley Sammy, Easter Weekend 2008

7 years ago today Sam came to live with us.

7 years!! How did that happen?? It feels like yesterday and forever at the same time.

He was a 7 month old puppy who was being re-homed by his original guardians.  They had a baby on the way and didn’t feel that they could adequately care for two dogs and a baby.  We sure lucked out.

We picked him up, after dark, the Thursday of Easter Weekend.  Looking back, we had purchased a bed, blanket, collar, tags, leash and food for him (and some toys) to prepare for his arrival but we seriously had no idea what we were getting in for.

Unbeknownst to us, Sam had never worn a collar or been on a leash.  I put his collar and leash on him and as soon as we got outside, he slipped out of it and took off.  Across the icy lawn, in the dark.  Fortunately, he came back to us with very little coaxing.  I held him in my lap for the ride home.  The dark and the passing lights seemed to frighten him during the 15 minute drive to our house.  It could have been the car ride too, or the fact that some folks he didn’t know very well were taking him away somewhere.

Mark carried Sam into the house (we were not taking another chance the collar/leash until we were in the daylight again) and Sam proceeded to take a giant poop in the middle of the living room.  I’m not surprised, he must have been terrified.  After the poop though, he wandered around the house sniffing everything he could.

That was a long night for all three of us.  I don’t think any of us slept.  We spent the rest of the weekend trying to figure each other out.  We sure made a lot of mistakes along the way but Sam didn’t seem to be too bothered by them.  Lucky for us.

We love you sweet Sammy and are so happy to have you in our family.  Thanks for 7 years of fun and tummy rubs and white hair everywhere.