My Best Friend Passed Today
 

Those of you who have been to the house for our GTG's have no doubt met the Sam Man. He was our best friend and canine companion.

Sam has been very sickly in the seven years he's been with us. Three surgeries for bladder stones and countless other things.

Through it all, Sam learned to be loved and gave more than his fair share of love back.

We got Sam from a no kill shelter that was about to put him down due to seizures and other problems. The first three vets we took him to also advised to put him down. That was seven years ago.

When we moved to North Virginia, we found a vet who correctly diagnosed Sam with severe bladder stones and performed the surgeries necessary to make him well. It was expensive, but we had fallen in love with the little guy and wanted to give him a good life.

Sam was a fighter and recovered and brought us much love and joy. Just this past Saturday, he was doing a "dance of joy" and having a great time.

Sam loved life and all that it brought. He was a very brave and tough little guy, but his time ran out today. He had congestive heart failure and had to be put down. He fought till the end and there was much love in his eyes as he passed.

Please join me in a toast to the Sam Man. He taught Donna and I how to live for the moment and love life no matter what hand you're dealt.

We will miss you dearly Sam. May God Bless you and Rest Your Fun Loving Soul.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3.../thesamman.jpg

Sorry to hear that PP. :(

Very sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry to hear that Kevin. I will miss seeing that little feller sniffing and snorting around my feet when I'm at your house. I know you'll miss him, too.

Sorry to hear, beer in hand and a toast to Sam!!!

Thanks you guys. I haven't hurt this bad since my father passed. Sam is Irish as am I, so I'm toasting him with some nice Irish Whiskey now. :)

To Sam.

As soon as work is over, I'll break out the Jamison's and join you in a toast to Sam.

Sorry for your loss Kevin. To Sam.

Sorry for your loss. Dogs become full fledged members of our family.

Sam had a good life (thanks directly to you and yours) and now he's off frolicking pain free at The Rainbow Bridge.

Sorry for your great loss. I'm sure he will be missed. As a suggestion, we cremate all our dogs and put them in urns with their pic and a plaque of their birthday and the day they passed and their name. That way, we will always have something of them left to remind us of them.

I've got pilsner on ice as we speak, and my best buddy Felix (the old, blind schnauzer I rescued several years ago) and I will pause for a moment of reflection for Sam and your family. I dread the day that Felix passes, and try to remind him often of how much joy he's brought me. It's a special bond between animals and their humans -- especially when that animal is rescued. There's a unique innocence to the little guys, and their loyalty is beautiful.

Sorry to hear of your loss.

Very sorry for your loss.

I feel for you man. We have a little mini dachshund "Peewee" that we love too much. She is the best dog we've ever had, and I know I'll be crying like a baby when she goes.

Dog: Love and loyalty that money CAN buy.