Sweet, Sweet Sammy

by Tricia

Since the time I brought my little fawn and white boxer home at eight weeks of age, Samantha, “Sammy,” was the most loveable, loyal dog anyone could hope for. She was not a bit shy and was eager to please right from the start. She followed me everywhere. Even in the deepest of sleeps, if I got up to go into another room, she’d lift her droopy eyes, get on all fours and lumber right behind me.

She welcomed everyone into our home with the typical boxer “kidney bean” dance and an abundance of licks…. It was amazing how affectionate this dog was. She also helped me through some of life’s difficult times by just being there right beside me. She was so loyal and her ability to show affection just warmed my heart.

She couldn’t be in the same room without some form of physical contact, even if just resting her paw on my foot while we watched T.V. She was friendly to a fault. I’d often have to apologize to guests when Sammy would insist they pet her. She would go up to them and put her head right under their hand or make herself comfortable on their laps. She was literally a 70 pound lap dog. We would joke that she didn’t even realize she was a dog.

Sammy was my first baby for a full two years. Then we welcomed my daughter, Lily, into the family. The first night home from the hospital Sammy paced the halls all night. Her nails on the wood floors were heard for hours. I wish I could hear those nails clicking on the floor again. When Sam realized this new little person was there for good, she rested beside the cradle and her protectiveness settled in.

When our baby started cruising the furniture at 10 months old, she would often use Sammy as a stepping stool onto the couch. Sam didn’t mind a bit. She made sure the baby got to her destination safely then laid her head back down. She actually enjoyed the gentle poking and prodding of a curious little one. The two became best friends.

One of my favorite recent memories of Sammy and my daughter was when I looked outside in the back yard and saw the two sharing a bag of pretzels. My daughter was sitting on her bench holding the bag while Sammy sat right beside her with that tilted head that everyone who has a dog just adores; one pretzel for Lily and one for Sammy. She took her treats so tenderly out of the hands of a four-year-old.

The memories of the costumes we dressed her in, the bright red toe nail polish that adorned her claws, lying in the hammock with my husband and her uncanny ability to say “Mama” are also some of the things that bring a smile to my face. We are grateful to have so many more touching memories and stories about our Sam.

A few days before her sixth birthday, Sammy started exhibiting signs of a serious medical condition. She was passing out, refusing to eat, and coughing. After several tests she was diagnosed with advanced stages of heart disease. This was never detected in any of her regular vet. visits.

We found a combination of three heart medications that Sammy responded favorably to. The medications gave us another six months with her. She was put to sleep on Monday morning and will be missed tremendously. It’s so hard not feeling her presence and not seeing her in her favorite spot on the steps.

It will be quite a feat to find a friend as loyal and sweet as Sam. I actually wish I could yell at her again for getting into the garbage or for visiting our neighbors uninvited (although they loved her too and will be very upset when they hear the news). Sammy, you could never know how many lives you touched. You were loved very, very much and will be forever missed.