Sam & Susie's Blog

Attention New Yorkers!!!

Does anyone know this girl???  SAM brought me my true love on Match.com (I will tell that story soon) so let's help SAM be a matchmaker once again.  The following was posted on Craigslist.org and I am sure someone knows the lovely brunette in question.  Maybe she is even married but it will still be fun to find her and let her know that SAM was trying to matchmake on her behalf.

Girl from CNN feature on Sam, the ugly dog - m4w

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Reply to: [email protected]
Date: 2005-11-22,  4:13PM EST

I was watching a video from the CNN website today about Sam, whom many claim to be the ugliest dog who has ever lived. Sadly, Sam has recently passed away, but I must agree with the popular consensus that Sam was hideous. As I was watching this and thinking that I would have nightmares for the rest of my life about this beastly thing, they interviewed a girl which made me forget all about Sam, minion of the devil that he was.

She appears right after a lady with big sunglasses about three quarters of the way through. She asks, "Is this really a dog?" She has dark hair and is absolutely beautiful. Sometimes I think about what it is that I am really looking for and what would make me the happiest man on earth. I think I now know the answer.

Where are you...

SAM 2006

If you would like to see SAM's handsome face all year long next year, please see SAM's calendar.  Also, please tune into CNN today, Tuesday, Nov. 29th, on the Paula Zahn Hour.  You may even get a rare glimpse of SAM's long lost "son", Pee Wee "Son-of-SAM"!  The mom was Zippy, ugliest dog in Florida..(SAM and Zippy were sweethearts from a distance and both died the same week.....) BUT we will tell tht story soon with pictures.  SAM's legacy will live on!

Wonderful SAM fans

I have discovered two fabulous sites which both made me cry...(not that difficult these days!).  Please visit  sam-the-man.net/ and from dear, creative fan, Daniel,  http://sobeautiful.ytmnd.com/  (This one should play an audio accompaniment.)
  Also, CNN came today from New York to film a little on the home and Mommie of SAM.  They said that their piece on SAM a few months ago was one of their most popular ever.  Please watch the Paula ZAhn segment on Tuesday and watch for wonderful Jeanne Moos.

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

"Inside Edition" Today

Hello everyone...it's SAM's Mom, Susie.  I am sorry that I haven't written much lately but I will write more soon.  If you want to see a little more of SAM and hear about his last days, please watch "Inside Edition" tonight, Tuesday, Nov. 22.  Thank you soooo much for loving SAM and seeing his beauty.

A lovely poem from a SAM fan

(This is SAM's Mom, Susie, writing..just for a moment.  I cannot bring myself to write yet so please forgive.  I will soon and I will tell the tale of SAM's passing.  He didn't want to leave his loved ones..that was clear.  I will explain soon and I promise to continue to put up new, unseen photos of SAM in funny and sweet moments.  I thank you DEEPLY for loving SAM and sending so much love our way.  Sincerely, Susie)

  From Jennifer

"OH MY GOSH I am just devestated. I just got on your  site and read the news
about Sam. I am so, so, so very sorry. I am just so sad to hear this news....
words just cannot begin to express how sad this makes me. Susie, I want you to
know that the love you showed good ol' Sam was just beyond endless. What a
kind, giving, caring, loving, compassionate person you are.  I have enjoyed so
much all of the awesome photos (by the way, I checked your site all of the time,
and just LOVE how you would add photos all the time) to be honest, seeing
pictures of beautiful Sam really brought joy to so many people's lives. What a
wonderful story the love you and Sam showed eachother. What beautiful, caring
hearts you both have. You treated him like a king...he was sure one lucky little
guy! I will miss your great, funny "Sam stories" and also all of the
wonderful photos. I also enjoyed hearing the adventures that you and Sam had while
traveling... what a life I tell you! He got to do more than a lot of humans I am
sure! :) I lost my "son" a few months ago. He was 18 years old and his name
was Elliot. He was a wire hair terrior mix that I rescued from a pound so very
many years ago. He was the best little friend and buddy anyone could've ever
wished for. I feel I also treated him like a little king! He loved every minute
of it! Even when he was 18 and not doing so well... every time that little guy
saw me, he would get a spring in his step!! He brought more joy to my life
that I can even put into words. I miss him like crazy, and still can't believe
he's gone. I have to share something with you that Elliot's vet gave me when
Elliot passed away. It is a poem called The Rainbow Bridge... and it is simply
amazing. Make sure to read it until the end...it truly is so special.

The Rainbow Bridge
There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the Rainbow
Bridge, because of it's many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is
a land of meadows, hills, and valleys with lush green grass. When a beloved
pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm
spring weather. The old and frail animals are young again.
Those who are maimed are made whole again. They play all day with each other.
There is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person who
loved them on Earth. So, each day they run and play until the day comes when
one suddenly stops playing and looks up! The nose twitches! The ear are up! The
eyes are staring! And this one suddenly runs from the group! You have been
seen, and when you and your special friend meet, you take him or her in your arms
and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again and again, and you look once
more into the eyes of your trusting pet. Then you cross over The Rainbow
Bridge together, never again to be seperated.   
I am crying so hard as I read that poem again... like I've done many times
before. It's just so beautiful. Susie, please know that there are so many people
that admire you and respect you and have so many wonderful, happy thoughts
about you for rescuing Sam and giving him the life you did. I speak as if I know
you, but sort of feel like I do from your site! I live in Las Vegas, NV and
want you to please know there are many prayers and thoughts going out to you
from us here in Las Vegas, along with the rest of the world I am sure. I'm just
so sorry Susie. Sam--you brought so much joy to so many. As I've said for so
many years... what matters is what is on the "inside".... and not only did you
have a great "inside" but you were one heck of a fine lookin' little guy to
boot! Unique is special, and you and Susie embraced that. Thank you for all the
joy you brought..... your cute, unique smile, your silly poses ( like sitting
at the paino!!) .... and for your unique personality. May you rest in peace
dear Sam. You are more than missed! Love and many warm hugs to you Sam, Jennifer
XO "

From SAM's neighbor, Tony

Dearest "Little Sam",

I can't tell you how sad it makes me that we will no longer see your ugly little face around here.  I guess this proves that even the most cantankerous old beings, must eventually pass.  But we, the few fortunate ones who were close to you, know how sweet and dedicated you really were. 

I hope you have some idea of how dearly loved you were, and still are, not only by your mother, but by all the people around you... not to mention the MILLIONS of people around the WORLD who were fortunate enough to have even learned your story. 

How many ugly, old OR sick dogs have been adopted into loving homes because of you?  You have arguably done more to help the K-9 condition than Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, Bengie and all other TV/Movie dogs put together.  You and your story have touched the lives of countless millions of people and inspired them to consider something other, than a cute little puppy, and perhaps, maybe even cut down the demand for so many puppy mills.  Those are some accomplishments you and your mother can be very proud of! 

Hat's Off To You Both!   

You will be missed more than you could ever know!

Happy Trails..... Little Sam!!! "

From a dear fan

"Dear Susie,

I was at the taping of the "I've Got a Secret" pilot that you and Sam participated in. My partner worked on the show, so I got to look forward to seeing Sam in person for weeks. His performance was spectacular! He had the audience eating out of his paw! I met you briefly after your segment, and got to tell you how touched I was by the story of how you found Sam, proving that there is love in this universe for even the "ugliest" of God's creatures. Because of you Sam not only found a home but became a celebrity! A three-time world champion! Because of your act of love more "unadoptable" dogs are finding loving homes and enjoying their golden years. Your example reminds us how important it is to see others not just with our eyes, but with our hearts. May the story of Susie and Sam live on forever.  Michael  "

So Long Beloved SAM

Susie will write more soon - as soon as she is not so distraught.

Until then, the following was written by Craig at DogExplorer.com.

Sam, the World's Ugliest Dog, Has Passed Away

Friday, 18 November 2005

A DogExplorer.com Exclusive Sam, the World's Ugliest Dog, Has Passed Away. Sam, a Chinese Crested Dog entered in our World's Ugliest Dog contest and known throughout the world as Sam, the World's Ugliest Dog, has passed away. He was fifteen. We were notified of his death during a phone call with his owner, Susie Lockheed, today. Anyone who has spent anytime with Susie and Sam would know that she adored him, and, he adored her. Sam helped Susie through some difficult health issues and Susie also credits him for helping her find her fiance. In addition to the love she showered on the little dog, Susie likely also saved his life when her fostering him on a temporary basis turned into an adoption. Sam was getting on in years, not the most social of dogs and very hard to adopt out as a result. Susie saw something beyond his looks and brought him into her life. Their story illustrates the point DogExplorer.com had hoped to raise through humor with our World's Ugliest Dog contest. That older, less photogenic dogs, not only deserve homes, they can enrich the lives of those who adopt them in ways unimaginable. Our deepest sympathies go out to Susie at this difficult time. Thank you, Craig.  A visit to DogExplorer.com is well worth the visit.

Pray for Sam..

Sam is in the doggie hospital battling a sudden onset of kidney failure.  He has been medicated for congestive heart failure for a few months and doing very well, but unfortunately this medication is eventually hard on the kidneys.  He has had two days of IV drip and coming home at night to sleep in Susie's arms.  We are very heart broken as you can imagine.  We will keep you posted.  SAM would be so happy to know he touched your lives and would love a little prayer.