Sam

My friend Mike is a lover of dog. Not just a dog lover, because a lot of us are, but a Lover of DOG! A Friend of Dog. He has loved dogs from childhood, but when he became a man, it became part of his life's mission. That mission was, when one came into his path, when it was in his power to do everything in said power, he would enrich, support, protect, and save DOG.

The first was Bert, the loving, big boy, Bert. But this is not Bert's story. This story is Bert's Dog's story. Bert found Sam, a starving, poor, damaged shell of a dog. What someone might call a cadaver of a puppy. Mike's motto for Sam has always been "Sam, Sam, the Happy Hound", but what some do not know, there is an ending to that limerick, "who was almost dead when he was found."

We all fall in love with puppies, sweet smelling little bundles. We all fall in love with dogs who like to run and play, snuggle when WE want them to, understand our language even when we've taught them naught, expect them to poop and pee when and where they're supposed to. But what happens when a dog comes into our path who is not cute and cuddly?

What happens when your animal has found another animal whose sole existence is the basics? Eat, because the body says. Shit, because the body says. Sleep, because the body can do no more. That pup knew nothing else. Hunger, pain, hide, sleep. Who knows what that puppy went through in his early life. Bert found that puppy, and he knew his Dad would help. And Bert's Dad did, Mike did. How many of us would have passed on by? How many of us would have called an authority, "Come get this animal!", or not? How many of us would have just looked away from that damaged soul?

Bert found Sam because Bert knew Sam needed to be found.

Sam thrived. Sam thrived because Bert's Dad saw to it, Mike saw to it. Sam grew because Bert's Dad fed, nurtured, loved, and brought that poor damaged soul back from the brink.

Sam has lived through the death of his savior and friend, Bert. Sam has lived though the introduction of a younger brother, Lucas. Sam has lived through the introduction of the Girl Dog, Lilith, and a Pibble Princess, Tyger Linn. Sam lived because of the love and protection, through various times, of all five, but most of all his doggy Dad, Mike Firesmith.

But Sam was old. Sam was tired. He watched Dog Dad introduce younger dogs into the pack as fosters. He didn't understand they are temporary. He just wanted to eat, sleep, and to be loved by his Dog Dad.

And, I believe in his heart of hearts, he knew he was loved, he knew he was safe.

Rest in peace, old man. You were loved.

http://mikefiresmith.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-dozen-years-of-dog-happy-rescue-day.html