…………………………….Jac and I have always had pups when we moved from the city to Ct…….We started with Margaret “Maggie”, a white Westie, and Charlie, a black Scottish Terrier….we added Elizabeth Taylor Dubelle Dell’Olio “Ellie B”, a black Scottie with BIG EYES….[very unusual for Scotties]…..so we were a family of five. Charlie, as things turned out would be our only male, and he was definitely a Momma’s boy! Jac’s boy…..As he aged and got more grey hair, Jac said he was the Cary Grant of terriers, and he was……a very handsome lad!!……..When Maggie was a very spunky little thing with a mind of her own….when she passed we got Annie, and when Charlie eventually passed we got Lily….They were both Brindles, and not pure black……Ellie developed cancer and died when she was only 4 years old…….Out of all my babies Ellie was a real daddy’s girl, and I have to say my favorite. She was the absolute sweetest She loved to have her soft belly kissed……..We got Sammy to replace Ellie, though I knew she could never be replaced……..We called the breeder and I told her I wanted a PURE BLACK female, and she replied that she was expecting a litter any day…….When the litter arrived she called and said she had a pure black female!
“Samantha’s story”…….I was told the female was pure black, but the runt of the litter. I replied that I didn’t care as long as she was Black and had an out going personality……The breeder said she thought this little female was….in her words….”A HELLION!” …..just what I wanted…….On the day that we went to Mass. to pick her up we were very excited. When we arrived Jac and I were escorted to the pen where the puppies were kept. I knew which one was Sammy even before she was pointed out to me…….I picked up this little ball of black fur, and brought her very close to my face…..Puppies smell so good! I stared into her eyes. Terriers are known for turning away when you stare them down…..but not Sammy. She looked me straight into my eyes…..and then LICKED MY NOSE!!!! I knew she was MINE!…….We named her Samantha after the good witch……..Jac drove, and Sammy sat in my lap for the 2 1/2 hour trip home…….The breeder told us we should not take Sammy into the house. She knew we also had Annie and Lily at home [Lily was Sammy’s half sister]…….She advised us to leave Sammy outside and to bring the other two out to “discover” her so they didn’t feel their home was being invaded by this outsider!…….It didn’t take long for them to find Sammy in the garden. There was a lot of sniffing, and none of them knew what to make of each other. Lily and Annie tried to walk away from Sammy, but she was on their heels….She wanted to be a part of the group…..It was so much fun to watch this little runt demanding her place…..a little HELLION indeed!….Sammy followed them right into the house, and they looked at her as if to say….”what do you want, it’s time to go back from where you came!”…Eventually Lily and Sammy became BFF, but Annie was always a little standoffish with Sammy…..Lily was Annie’s and she didn’t want to share her……….Sammy lived up to her name, and soon stole my heart. How could you not look into that face and not fall in love. Sam was very unlike the other two…..She was our watch dog and barked at everyone! The other two never barked. Sammy always led the way when we sang Happy Birthday….the only song they would sing to! She was the only one that would climb on the couch and sit on me…..where ever she liked!…..Until her last week on earth she acted like a puppy, with all of the energy a puppy has. She was the first to chase bunnies and squirrels and ground hogs….or what ever else she found in the garden….the others followed her lead…Same was definitely took the alpha role….Sammy soon ran the show, and it was funny to watch her antics!! Over the years Sammy stole my heart, and became my absolute favorite, and until her dying day was Daddy’s girl……..My routine over the years always revolved around taking care of my fur babies. It will take a lot of adjusting and getting used too not having them around…..From a family of 5….I’m the only one left, but I don’t want another………..I’ve had the best!
I enjoyed reading how you accumulated your various dogs, but I’m so sad you’ve lost Sammy. She was certainly very special. Dogs are such loyal, loving companions…it’s so hard when we lose them.
Louis
sorry for your loss
Sarah
Fur babies are family members. They give us unconditional love and such joy. We think that they need us, when really we’re the ones who need them. I am so sorry for your loss.
Dear Louis,
Please accept my condolences in the loss of your beloved fur baby, Samantha. Your tribute to her was so beautifully written. I lost my “once in a lifetime” dog, Daisy, a spunky Jack Russell, right before the pandemic. It’s been hard, but I’m thinking after the past 2+ years about the fact that there might be a dog in a shelter somewhere that might to need to rescue me, so I’m keeping my eyes open in case she finds me. You never know. Much love and good wishes to you as you continue your beautiful journey. I look forward to your future episodes.
Louis, what wonderful memories of all of your pups. They truly become our family. It never gets any easier when they leave us. Rest assured Sammy is with Jac and her puppy family. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful tribute to Sammy. God bless you and keep you always!
Hi Louis,
I have loved all my dogs but one, Jet, was the dog “love of my life”. I understand how difficult loosing Sammy is. You shared a special bond with her. You’re the only one who knows what is right for you but I’m going to share my story as food for thought.
I always said that Jack would be my last dog. I was 80 in August and reasoned that in time I might not be able to walk a dog twice a day and wondered what would happen if I outlived my dog. I lost my husband of 55 years at the end of March and just a few weeks later lost my dog Jack. He was 15 and had liver cancer. My house and heart felt so empty. I lost both of my boys within weeks of each other. I felt truly alone – even though I have a son and daughter and grandchildren just a couple of hours away. My daughter knew how I was feeling and “said get another dog if you really want one and if the dog outlives you, I’ll take it”. I thought about it for a couple of months and then started looking for a rescue that was not a pup. I found four year old Max online and made the two hour trip to visit him. He had been adopted previously, but returned three weeks later. (Lots of people adopted during COVID and regretted the commitment.) I knew Max needed someone and so did I. We hit it off and I made arrangements to make him mine. I’m happy to report that we are both falling in love. He brightens my days and is a wonderful companion. In turn, he receives lots of love, good food and plenty of exercise. We both lucked out! Just sayin….
Good afternoon, Louis. Miss Samantha was such a grand adventure ! You are a true example of living life with a brave, open and loving heart. I’ve had dogs all my life. Our hearts get so broken when they leave. But to have never known their unconditional, faithful sweet love would be far worse.
I will miss seeing Sammy in your videos and photos.Thank you for sharing your beautiful, well-lived life and the cast of angelic furry characters with us. Take care…..💙
This is so Heartbreaking 💔😭 why can’t our sweet loving pets live longer? This has stirred up all my feelings of my Sweet little Holly 😭💔 Sammy was so lucky to have you and you were lucky to have her
Sending Prayers 🙏 God Bless Renee
That Face! Of course you fell in love immediately!
Take care, Elaine
Aww Louis! Such fond & precious memories. I hope you reconsider and get another puppy. You’ve gone through a lot over the past few years and a new puppy might be help. Maybe you will reconsider.