Happy Thanksgiving from Susie

Hello dear SAM fans.  I cannot THANK you enough for all the love and support and kind words you have all sent my way in the last week.  It will be a week tomorrow since SAM went to doggie heaven and we all still miss him but are feeling a bit better.  SAM's death was so sweet..we should all die in such a peaceful and loving way..I was literally holding him and repeatedly and gently saying "I love you, SAMMIE, I love you SAMMIE" as he floated away.

He began to seem very weak last week so on Wednesday I took him to his wonderful doctor,Dr. Cassaus at White's Pet Hospital.  He immediately put him on an IV drip and tested his kidneys.  (SAM had been on heart medication since May, and his doctor told me that eventually it would wear out his kidneys.  There was no other choice though, as SAM would have drowned in his own fluid filled lungs within 24 hours without the heart medication.)  The kidney test revealed that SAM's kidneys were indeed failing...BUT the doctor said that it was possibly due to an infection in the bladder that we could treat with antibiotics.  SAM had no tumors and was weak but not in pain.  He came home the first night but was to return to the IV drip for several more days.  That first night back at home he was so much better!  He ate a big dinner and pooped and peed and was cranky if you touched his feet.  SAM was back!  Off he went the next morning after a little breakfast..still had a good appetite.  That second night however was not as promising...He ate dinner but he never pooped and to my horror, his pee had a pink caste to it...a sign of blood in the urine.  I was convinced that he was getting better and thought it was the bladder infection poisons coming out...an optimistic doggie Mom.  (SAM was like Lazarus and always seemed to bounce right back.)  I remember waking up in the night and SAM was pressed up next to me..closer than he usually slept.  I had a cute little lullaby I made up for him  a long time ago about how handsome he was so I sang it for him in the night.  I did not think it was my last night with my little bed partner....  Off he went the next morn to continue the IV drip and antibiotics...I didn't even have him say goodbye to Tator and the girls because I was so sure he would be back again that night.

About 11:30, the dreaded call came that SAM's heart had stopped pumping  (it was just sort of barely vibrating or fibrillating) and that he was slipping away....horrified, I phoned Mark to meet me at the dog hospital and my neighbor, Tony drove me quickly there..I was afraid SAM might already be gone.  When I went into the room and called his name, he NOT only lifted his head up on that precious, srawny old neck of his but STOOD UP!  I was amazed and optrimistic once again.. I thought, "I can't put this guy down yet!"  Moments later he felt like a weak sack of flour in my lap...he had just had a moment of strength from knowing I was there with him .  The Dr. said his heart was failing and that any medication to stregthen it would cause his kidneys to fail.  Up to this point, SAM had never been in pain and he was a BIG baby about pain so I asked if he was in pain.  The doc said, well..he must feel just awful..like the worst achy flu you could ever imagine..the blood is heavy and pooling and it can only get worse.. That was it...I immediately steeled myself and in a daze, I signed the papers for euthanasia.  Then I held my little, frail BEST pal and the shot was administed..WELL..that SAMMIE!  He just didn't want to leave his Mommie..  They had to do a second shot!  That SAM had such a will!   Thank God Mark had arrived by this time to be there for me.  He was very shook up and although he always joked that SAM was above him on the totem pole, he really loved him too...I was left alone in that little room with SAM's body and although I believe that doggie souls are with us and that SAM's memory would live on, I just couldn't get myself to leave that warty, freckled, blackhead infested, bald, hernia laden, warm little body...  He had truly been my main focus and constant companion for so many years.  When I took him in as a rescue I thought "Oh, I'll just have to take care of this old guy for a year or so."  Little did I know I would fall in love and that he would give me so many wonderful years!

On this Thanksgiving night, I want to say "THANK YOU SAMMIE!"  Thank you for all the love and laughter and smiles you brought not only to me but it seems to the WHOLE world!  You are sorely missed and you are truly irreplacable.  Thank you for the AMAZING adventures you created.  I had the time of my life!!

Thank you all for reading this endless homage to a great dog.  We will continue the web and blog with new pictures and stories for some time.  Thank you all.  Susie

Comments

[katie]

Susie....

I had always seen pictures of Sam floating around the internet and I honestly thought "That dog cant be real!!" and then I stumbled upon this page and read his story, and your story on when he passed. I sat here and couldn't help but cry. I to have a wonderful dog and understand the bond and friendship you have with them. Losing them is just like losing a family member. Sam is in doggy heaven!! I'm going to go hug my wonderful dog right now!!!

[Sydney Fisher]

I am soooooooooo sorry for your loss!!!!! I want a dog just like Sam!!!! I hate that people say he's ugly, I don't think he is at ALL, he's gorgeous and a cutie... I cried so hard when I heard of the death and I wish you and your family the best through these hard times!

-Sydney!

[Emily Pierce]

I know it has been a while since this was posted, but i just stumbled upon the website and i saw Sam and i thought he was the cutest thing ever. It made me smile. When i read this entry, it made me cry like a baby. I am so sorry for your loss. He looks so special to you and I can only imagine the pain you went/are going through. I hope all is well.

Love, Emily

[Nollisa]

Hi Susie, Just wanted to let you know that I am very sorry for your loss. I am more sorry that, although I knew of Sam's celebrity 'status', I never knew he had a web site or blog. I wish I had know this long before now.
I also own a Chinese Crested Hairless, not necessarily by choice. He was going to be given to the pound in Flagstaff, Az. Well, it snows here & I just knew in my heart this little guy wouldn't get adopted up here where most people own large breed hairy dogs, so I just had to 'save' him from what I knew would be a short existance. He was just 9 months old & oohhhh so cute, not yet house broken, suffered severely of separation anxiety (tearing up precious antique furniture when owners left him alone), and just couldn't seem to calm down. He would snap at us when we tried to pet him, he was a 'nervous wreck'. I had another 'son' (Cocker/Terrier/Poodle/mutt mix)who was 15.7 y.o. at the time & he didn't like our new addition (Dioji) at all! Little did I know that I would lose my 'old man'(in my arms with words of love to send him on his way) within the next 4 months of getting Dioji. By that time, I had house trained him, & he had settled down a little bit. Dioji showed more heart & understanding than I could've ever expected out of an animal. Every time I would cry over the loss of my Buddy, Dioji knew & would jump into my lap & lick my tears. He has continued to do this through many events in my life since those days, including the passing of my father last Oct. Dioji will be 8 on March 22,'06.
I can truly understand the bond between a mom & these seemingly "ugly" dogs. They have hearts of gold & they seem to just LOVE being dressed in whatever silly outfits us humans can find to put them in!! LOL!
Here is a poem I was given by the Pet Cemetary where I laid my beloved Buddy to rest, I hope you get as much comfort from it as I did.

They say memories are golden, well, maybe that is true.
I never wanted memories, I only wanted you.
A million times I needed you, a million times I cried.
If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died.
In life I loved you dearly, in death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place no one could ever fill.
If tears could build a stairway and heartache make a lane, I'd walk the path to heaven and bring you back again.
Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same. But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.

May the pain you feel soon be replaced with only memories of a life well lived full of love & happiness.

Rest in peace sweet naked pup. Know you were adored & loved by MANY........

[Laurie and Ben de los Reyes]

Dear Susie: I am so sorry for your loss. Our family had a similar loss last November. It has been a year now, but we still refer to it as if it were yesterday. Sam and Duke had one thing in common, both dogs that were "unlovable" not up to standards that who sets? Our dog was a "cull" from a breeder who was going to put him down. Never was there a more loyal or loving and fierce defender of the family.
Your Sam seems also to be a found love, and you two were meant to be together for the time you were. The only thing I have really ever questioned about God is why a dogs life is so short in comparison to ourselves. They should be lifetime companions, but when we bring them home, we know that our time with them is limited to what seems FOREVER, but the years fly by. It is wonderful to think that Sam provided you with years of friendship and comfort and that you did the same for him. His death experience was gentle and sounds similar to our time at the end of Dukes life. He could no longer walk, but we took him to the lady who had groomed him since a pup. She groomed him one last time. With his beautiful coat and his spiffy bow in place, he lay in the back of our truck. We held him and told him we loved him as he gently went to sleep. My husband still swears that he saw a beautiful hawk soar away at the moment Duke's soul took flight.We miss him intensely, and he has been cremated. His ashes will be buried with my husband when he dies.
Prays for your recovery from grief and thanks for sharing your "ugly" dog with an obviously beautiful soul with the rest of us.

[Nikki]

Hi! I think Sammy was the curest dog ever! I felt so sorry for him! You lovced him so much! How could god have made sammy look so sad! The poor thing! I love that you saw beyond that and you made his life so wonderful! Sammy felt loved and beautiful! You are a very special person to have made Sammy feel so good about himself! Sammy didnt feel ugly at all! That's the Best thing about Sammy! He's was Adorable1 I'm so sorry that he passed away! He had a wonderful life!!! Love, Nikki

[Jennifer Rickert]

I was extremely saddened to hear about Sam's passing. I know the pain and heartache that come with losing a beloved pet. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Thank you for adopting Sam and giving him the opportunity to live and touch so many people's life

[Sheri G]

I just went through all the pictures and cried when I read about his passing. I am an animal lover. Thank you for such a beautiful tribute to a beautiful spirit. I have also referred everyone I know to your site. I hope it keeps going. I love it.

[OldOldLady Of The Hills]

One of my blogge friends posted the story about Sam...and she had a link to the Video from CNN...I think he was the cutest dearest doggie I've ever seen...I'm happy for you and SAm that you both had so many years together, and so much fun...I know your love for him gave him the most wonderful terrific life...I send you my condolences and i truly understand how empty your heart must feel in these tender moments...but, (and you know this, i know) Sam will always be in your heart and I am sur he was deeply grateful for the life you gave him, and the end, with dignity that you gave him, too! Bless You and Bless Sammie, Too!

[Andrew]

I am in the UK have just read your truly lovely homage to Sammie and I am in tears. I think he was such a beautiful dog and he was so obviously loved, and he knew that. I think it was absolutely marvellous that the last thing he heard was you calling his name and holding him

When the time comes for my 2 lovely doggies to pass over, I want to hold them close and love them so much as well.

I truly believe that our dogs go to rainbow bridge when the y die and that we will meet them again.

http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html

Please visit the above, you will cry as I cry when I view it but it kinda makes me feel better knowing I will see all my beloved pets again when I pass over.

All my love and heart felt condolences at your time of loss. xxxxxxx

[Julie Cathrine Holth]

Hi!

I would just like to express my deepest condolences from up here in the cold North (Norway).

I certainly know how horrible it feels when your beloved pet dies.

Everytime I come to think about it, I remind myself that the joy I get from having my pet is far greater then the pain I feel when they die.
I hope that in due time, you'll feel the same way.

With love,
Jules.