There is so much to tell. Isn’t there always? Sam was a Lab and Gold retriever mix so he was taller than other Labs. His tail was a little more bushier and had that handsome Lab face. When he was born a coworker told me about the litter of pups so I went and picked him out. He was the runt but I knew he was the right one. I didn’t say anything about him until I could pick him up eight weeks later. My wife wasn’t so sure but my sons just fell in love with him. After a little time so did my wife. He was so small. In spite of his size I gave him a big name he’d grow into. And wow, he did. From those first walks in February at 9 weeks old to pulling me on my bike through the neighborhood to trips to the parks and chasing deer and other critters (Skunks..OMG) and so many other places and events over the years. He became a big part of our lives. Sam very rarely needed a leash and always minded. He was protective of his family. I made a point not to use the word “dog” when he was near. I used his name. He was more than a “dog” to me. We were pals. He had a stroke back in March of this year but recovered within three days. A testament to his strength and determination I guess. He had a couple small strokes over the past months but with some TLC he always bounced back and was eager to go, go, go.
When the mail or other deliveries came Sam always put up a ruckus. Sometimes he liked to lay on the floor near the living room door. The floor was cool there. That’s where I found him Friday morning. I called him and he didn’t move. My pal died in his sleep. It had to be that way for him. If death came any other way he’d have made a fight of it. And I would have been in it with him. He was loved and he knew it. My Sampson will be greatly missed. Sam… we are sorry we didn’t get to say goodbye. Thanks for always being there.