Samantha came into our hearts on a August day in 1983.
She was given to our daughter Kristen (age 2 at the time,)
as a present(ok bribe) to her to finally become a “big girl”
and not wet her pants any longer.
As promised Kristen did and Sam became much more than a
lovable bribe to all of us. She immediately became my cohort in crime
and followed me everywhere. Often times underfoot and always in
whatever room I was in.
She loved children which was great since I ran a home day care
at the time and waited patiently by the window each and
everyday when the kids came home from school.
She knew Daddy’s car and greeted him at the door every night.
She loved the snow and playing outside when the kids were out
but hated the green grass of summer.
Mainly we found out much later was she was allergic to it.
We were never out of her sight.
The one trip we took to Washington DC was a disaster for Sam.
Grandma came to baby-sit Samantha and had to call us
back home early because Sam was so lonely she refused to eat,
even for Grandma which was a rarity because
she adored Grandma.
She had expressions for everything I mean serious
facial expressions much like a human.
Even her barks were different for different reasons.
She understood everything you said to her.
She even talked I swear and it is documented that she
said ” I love you” on many occasions.
When she was younger and the Grandmas came to visit
she would “talk” for 10 minutes to each Grandma and we would
howl with laughter.
As if she was reporting the whereabouts and antics of all
of us to the higher commander of the unit.
She left the yard once as a pup and got lost Daddy yelled
at her more out of panic and spanked her promptly on the behind
and you know what she never left the yard again.
She never needed a restraint or fencing.
She was just so greatful to be home that she never left it
without us being there with her.
Even walks were without a leash. She would go about
10 feet ahead look back and then mosey on back to us
and then walk 10 feet again stop to check out where we was
and then mosey on back again.
Near the end though she would wander more out of the yard
not far but to a neighbors backyard.
I think it was more out of confusion than anything else.
Our dear neighbors whom all loved Samantha would just walk her
back gently and see that she was safely back in
her own home.
Sam was a brilliant dog. She was the epitome of love.
I have had numerous dogs over my lifetime my husband
only one and my children only one and I must say out of all the
dogs I have owned Samantha was the one I truly
cared for the most.
I mean her death has taken me into a grief so strong even the
loss of Human companions and family has not affected
me so severely.
Death is a strange mystical concept.
Yesterday morning Sam was alive breathing resting in her spot
and even though she suffering for months and her body was
shutting down and deteriorating before our eyes she never
once growled or complained.
So being the selfish Mistress I was I assumed she was
never in pain. I realized the night before she died that it was
selfish of me to hold her to this earth.
I begged her forgiveness and she sighed and licked my
face as to reassure me, me for crying out loud that is was
okay to let her go.
Even as we got ready to take her to the vet’s she went about
her routine of late and never suspected this was her last hour of life.
Always hating car rides she began to shake in my husbands arms.
We had thought she couldn’t see anymore but she recognized where
she was the minute familiar sites came into her view.
She cried and howled and we took a knife to our hearts.
Even laying on a table in the vet’s office she was calm
and still reassuring us it was okay.
She licked our faces good-bye and just went relaxed.
The doctor came in gave her two shots and it was over within
15 minutes.
Gone forever was the light of our eyes our joy our
friend and companion. Limp and gone.
One minute life the next death.
Somewhere there should be a bigger distinction between
that fine line.
Some kind of warning a signal something to make it better.
We took her home to bury her in a favorite flower bed and plan
on honoring her ever year with roses and carnations
and beautiful flowers to lay her head upon for all eternity.
We could have chosen cremation or have her in a pet cemetery,
but having her home in her own backyard close to us
seemed more comforting to us all.
I wish I can get pass the vision of seeing her lifeless body
being buried in a cold snowy grave but I know she is warm
and inside my heart and the hearts of Bruce and Kristen
and Jennifer and Grandma K. and Grandma C.
and the tons of others whom fell in love with Sam.
As I look outside this morning at her grave I picture a beautiful
August morning sunny warm and picture perfect.
I vision two small giggly girls running around in the backyard,
playing with this adorable collie/springer spaniel mix
curly haired puppy laughing at her antics watching her
learn her territory learning to live her life as one of our family.
I only can hope she loved us with all her heart as we had
loved her with all of ours.
We will miss you dearly old friend.
Debbie
| Debbie |