A TRIBUTE TO MY WHITE FUZZY PAL

SAM THE SAMOYED 1989 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2003

I first met Sam and his brother in a play room. After observing the pair play for several minutes we chose "Sam".

I know "Sam" is far from a creative name for my bear buddy. The first fall/winter produced heavy snowfalls. Sam had helped everyday while I split wood and brought it to the house. His incredible smile got brighter with the first snow. As the snow piled up Sam enjoyed his natural environment to no end. Long walks in the daytime through the snow in the bush were followed by evenings playing between snowbanks. One of his favorite past times was to attempt a sneak attack off of a snow bank taking my toque on his way. Digging in to another bank he would bury the toque - asking for a fight I would dig away his snow hole.
Sam always enjoyed the wildlife - chasing a chipmunk or squirrel, watching the rabbits, or avoiding a bear. Inside the house he was always inquisitive and checked out every job.
Smiling he waited for a snack after every meal.
Sam saw a fair bit of country in our travels.
Anytime I was not feeling well he would be next to me checking with concern. For several very cold winters in northern Ontario he would sleep next to me on the couch keeping me warm.
When Donna and I decided to move from northern Ontario to North Carolina we were very concerned how Sam would adapt to the heat. The first fall and winter he adjusted to his new environment by spending hours watching the birds on the river and barking at the sea gulls.
Sam and Dave

As summer set in he enjoyed more time in the air conditioned house. Never the less we had our daily walk routines and as with our other places we were a fixture the neighbors were used to seeing together. Throughout our time together Sam displayed two characteristics seen in Samoyed's. Sam owned me totally.

He would play happily with a neighbors dog for hours - if I gave attention to the other pet he would get in between us and show his displeasure to the other pet. When Donna went to give me a hug he would push between us or bark.
Howling was more of a sport then a past time. During a full moon very little encouragement was needed to create a half hour serenade.
Sam fussed during our wedding ceremony, but sat down and smiled while we exchanged rings.

 

Sam is greatly missed - no matter what name we use - he will always be remembered as our buddy.
   
Eulogy on the Dog.
BY GEORGE G. VEST.
GENTLEMEN of the Jury:-The best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name, may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads. The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog.

Gentlemen of the jury, a man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince.
When all other friends desert he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens. If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies, and when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death.

ONE of the most famous speeches ever made by the late Senator Vest, of Missouri; was made in the course of the trial of a man who had wantonly shot a dog belonging to a neighbor. Vest represented the plaintiff, who demanded $200 damages. When Vest finished speaking, the jury, after two minutes deliberation, awarded the plaintiff $500. The full text of the speech is printed above.

   
   

The Story of Rainbow Bridge
Author Unknown

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

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There are also a number of different translations of "The Story of Rainbow Bridge" available at petloss.com site.


   
A Child Loaned

"I'll lend you for a little time, a child of mine," He said, "for you to love the while he lives and mourn when he is dead. It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or three, but will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me? He'll bring his charm to gladden you, and should his stay be brief, You'll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief. "

"I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return, But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn. I've looked the wide world over, in search of teachers true, and from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, I have selected you."

"Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain, Nor hate Me when I come to call, to take him back again?" I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord, Thy will be done.

For all the joy Thy child shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run. We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may, And for all the happiness we've known, will ever grateful stay. But should Your Angels call for him much sooner than we planned. We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand"


Always in in our hearts.....

. our sunshine..... our son....

 

SAM

August 1989 - September 2003

Thank you to Dena Vallas who's memorial of their "BEAR" website helped when we lost our baby!
OUR NEW SON MASON'S WEBSITE