Two years ago we received an urgent plea to help an “extra friendly, super sweet” 9-year-old Shih Tzu, and if there ever was truth in advertising, it was that email about Sam! This charming plus-size fellow found himself in a shelter when his person was admitted to a nursing home and, in spite of his life being turned upside down, he remained calm, friendly and hopeful. And because of Sam, a bonded pair of senior dogs in the same shelter found their forever home as well!
Sam faced multiple health challenges, including a serious heart murmur, a golf-ball sized tumor, bladder stones, obesity and I don’t even recall what all else, but he was such a trooper. He ate his special diet like a champ and obediently took his medications. From day one,
he was as good as gold.
And he had a heart of gold. He was devoted to his new daddy and followed him everywhere. We decided that’s how Sam lost the weight he needed to lose, by following John all over the house and yard. If I ever needed to find John, all I had to do was look for Sam!
In Sam’s beautiful big round Shih Tzu eyes was pure devotion. He loved deeply, passionately and loyally, right up to the very last moments of his life. When we came home, we’d find him staring at the door, eagerly awaiting our return. Sam never missed an opportunity to look at us, and especially at John, with his deep, abiding devotion as if we were the light in his life. We know he was the light in ours.
Sam’s heart, so full of love, was also very, very weak. And after two very short years and all the best veterinary care, Sam’s poor heart finally gave out. And our hearts are broken.
For our Sam, from the song “You Light Up My Life” … because you did, sweet boy. Every single day you were here.
“Could it be finally
I’m turning for home?
Finally, a chance
To say, Hey, I love you,
Never again
To be all alone.
And you
Light up my life.
You give me hope
To carry on.”
Forever in our hearts,
| ♥Sam♥ |
| 1, July 2014 |
| John & Bekye Eckert |