Back On All Fours

UPDATE:

Sampson was successfully adopted by a loving family in Tucson, Arizona on April 26, 2011.  He has every hope of living a long and happy life.

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It was very difficult  nursing Sampson back to health, but I did it!!!!  I have accomplished my goal and he is doing awesome.  He loves the gourmet meals of chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes, cottage cheese and pumpkin that I have been feeding him everyday.  Sampson now has a spring in his step and a happy heart.

Yesterday, some really nice people came over from Tucson to meet Sampson.  He dazzled them and won their hearts.  They want to adopt him and it looks like it is a perfect match.  So, transport called and Sampson is scheduled to be picked up tomorrow.  Another transition, but I believe this is Sampson's forever family and he will have a wonderful life!

Between A Rock and a Hard Place

 "If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."           -Will Rogers  

 

I got a call yesterday that Sampson was ready to come home from the hospital.  Yeah!  When I picked him up he was all wobbly and sedated and he looked terrible.   Maybe, on his last leg...... it was a tough afternoon and night not to mention the ride home.   Of course, I should have anticipated stomach problems of another kind. Then I received the news the family that was to adopt sweet Sampson changed their mind.  Transport was indefinitely canceled.  Sampson no longer had a loving forever family waiting for him.  And. I have a plane ticket to Oregon.    Ok.  This is where I tell you that I am having a very difficult time with the situation.  It is really tough.

Stayed Tuned

Just a quick update for those of you following Sampson.  Transport called to say they couldn't transport.  Huh?  Well, we had an awesome weekend.  Sampson played and chased bunnies, birds, bugs and lizards while Steve chain sawed some dead trees in the yard.  It was all good, until....... Sampson started throwing up Sunday night (actually, Monday around 3 am).   Yucko!!!!!!!  No sleep for the weary and that would be me.

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Tonight Sampson is in the hospital.  Unfortunately, he was real sick last night and today.  I had to take him in.  He didn't want to leave my side ..... even for the cute girl who beckoned to him.  They took him away and I am not sure if I will ever see him again.  As he was walking down the long hall of the hospital he turned around and looked at me.  Whoa!  It was really, really hard to turn my head and walk out the door.  Sampson needed medical help and I had to let him go.  So many moments are unbelievably heart wrenching.

Transport Calling

Sampson just isn't feeling that great.  Valley Fever is a devastating disease and when it has progressed to a dog's bones it is extremely painful.  Sampson has had some good days that are followed by days that he feels poorly.  But, Sampson is strong.  He's overcome a lot of adversity so far, lets hope he has  the strength to continue fighting.  He'll be on meds for a long time, maybe the rest of his life.

As far as I know the family that originally wanted to adopt Sampson still wants him.  I think the plan is to have him transported to Tucson sometime soon.  That's all I know.  I try to keep focused on the present and the time we have together now.

Oh, the phone is ringing..............

A Few More Days

Sampson's stomach didn't feel so great on Friday, so his adoption was delayed about a week.  After several home cooked meals of white rice, chicken and carrots and a Pepcid here and there, he is feeling much better.  It is great to have more time together! Sampson has calmed down quite a bit since we got him.  I think he thinks he is staying with us forever and that has made him very happy.  There isn't any way to explain to him the situation........

Sampson has captured our heart.

Our Time Is Short

Sampson and I were out on a walk yesterday in the late afternoon when an older lady crossed the street and looked at me and said, "Do you know your dog has a hitch in his get-a-long?"  Then she crossed the street and continued on her way. 

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Dear Sampson,

Our time together is very short.  I was planning on having you much longer.....for at least a month!  I was really surprised to learn just now that a family out there in Tucson wants you.  They want to nurse you back to health and be your forever home.  Wow!  Are they lucky to get such a great guy like you.  (What's this with Tucson?)  This time, no one called me for any input on how fabulous you are, but I guess everyone knows.  Gosh, as handsome and well mannered as you are it is no wonder you are wanted right away.  Too bad for me.  

 I thought this time I would not become so attached, but even though it has been only five days, I have to say that the thought of you leaving so soon is bringing me to tears.  I want you to stay, but I know you need to go.  As happy as I was to get you is as sad as I am to see you go. 

Pictures of Sampson

Stop And Smell The Flowers

Sampson Has Valley Fever

Today we are celebrating the bad news, which is actually the good news.  Yeah!  Sampson.......you have Valley Fever.  Valley Fever is treatable with medications and you will get all better!  It will take awhile - no one really knows for sure how long, but you will get better!  Awesome news!

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OK........folks, no I haven't lost my marbles.  Sampson came to me with a big time limp and with a bullet that is still in his side.  The leg he limps on is the opposite side of the bullet wound.  He had an Xray and it showed a bone in his shoulder that looked like swiss cheese.  More tests were done and I was told that today was the day we would know if Sampson had Valley Fever or worse......cancer.  If it was the latter he would be looking at amputation or worse.  It is cause for a celebration .......Sampson has the promise of a bright, happy and long life!!!

Sampson Is Here!!!!!

Sampson!

Hello Sampson!!!!

Wow!  Sampson, you are coming to live with me for awhile and I can hardly wait!  You sound like quite a trooper and I am really looking forward to meeting you.  I have been waiting a couple weeks for my next rescue doggy and I have to admit I was getting a little impatient.  Now I see the big picture.....the stars were trying to align just right so that I was available to take care of YOU!  It was no fault of your own that you were taking your time to get to me.  You needed a pit stop at the vet hospital.  I was told that your owner dropped you off at the Humane Society with a bullet/pellet in your shoulder.  How awful!!!  Someone shot you with a stinking gun.  Thank goodness the good people from Rescue A Golden of AZ  saved you!   Like I said, you are a trooper and real brave, too.  Well, I am here to tell you that I will take care of you and get your life started in a new direction.  And, even though we haven't even met yet, you have reminded me I need to believe and have patience that things will work out exactly the way the are supposed to.