This is our beloved Sammy. Sam came to live with us when
he was 8 years old. His new siblings, Matt, Jenny and Jeff
were little then and needed a nice big dog to patrol the back
yard while they played. Sammy did his job very well.
He loved the kids, but sometimes knocked them down when he gave
kisses and stole their snacks and toys. He didn’t mean
to be a bad boy, though, just one of the kids!
Sammy was part Labrador and part Weimaraner.
He weighed about 130 pounds. His brown fur was beautiful
and smooth. We believed that he was made of chocolate. We
didn’t let him stay out in the sun too long because we thought
he might melt!
Sam loved to eat. He was very smart
too. If he was hungry, and his bowl was empty, he’d
just pick it up and bring it to us! Of course he was always
rewarded with something yummy.
Sam loved to wrestle and play. He
was just the right size for hugging. He never seemed to
mind being dressed up in shirts and hats or even sprinkled with
glitter. He loved to lay by the fire with us at night and
be cuddled. He loved to take walks too. Once while
we visited the pond, we fed the fish some bread. Sammy loved
bread also, so he jumped into the pond and swam around eating
the floating bread. We all had a good laugh that day, even
though Sam’s manners were bad!
Sammy’s pictured appeared on birthday
cakes, art work and even the banners his siblings made for First
Holy Communion. He was also a visitor at school one day.
He visited each of his brothers’ and sister’s classrooms.
He wore a red bandana around his neck that day and got lots of
hugs from everyone. Each classmate got a smile and kiss
from Sam in return. He was gentle and beautiful.
Mommy loved to sing to Sammy and share
snacks with him. If company came to the door Sam would be
so happy that he’d run around the house and pick up everything
he could find to greet the guest with. His mouth would be
full of pillows, socks, and toys. We think he was cleaning
up for us.
Sam was an early riser and each morning
we’d awaken to the sound of his ears flapping as he’d
shake his head. It was the most beautiful, peaceful sound
we’d ever heard. He allowed us to wake up to the security
and comfort of knowing that he was a part of our lives.
How fortunate we were for that. Sometimes when I wake up
very early I can still hear that sound. Oh, it could be
my imagination, but I feel certain that it’s just Sam letting
me know that my day will be peaceful and productive. We’ve
been blessed to have this gentle giant in our lives and that blessing
will never leave us.
Sam’s gentleness, humor, and love
for us was healing and reassuring. We still miss him very
much. He made us laugh so hard sometimes. He dried
our tears and was always willing to offer his warm chocolate fur
as a security blanket. We loved him with all of our hearts
and delightfully spoiled him. We gave him the happiest home
we could and in return he took care of us. We will love
our Sam forever. He’ll live forever in our hearts.
The tender way he approached people to offer them his paw in friendship
remains a part of us now; from it we’ve learned to offer
comfort and peace to those we meet.
—
Susan, Matt, Jen, and Jeff Sines
