My sister lost Pa Pa today. She stuck by him when everyone else thought he was a goner. He always bounced back and was never in any pain. Today..this morning at 6:15 his heart finally stopped in his sleep. This is the email that my sister sent out today. We all love you PA PA
About 5 years ago I was at the city animal shelter registering my pets. The shelter staff walked an old dog by. I asked about him and they said he was a stray. However, he had a collar with a tag. The tag had a non-working phone number and the name "Sampson." I told them I would take the old dog. They discouraged me saying "Take another one. Something is wrong with this one. He walks in circles." I sat with him a while and then took him home anyway.
I kept Sampson's name because it fit him. Even though his face was already gray, with his barrel chest and big black nose, I knew he was something. He was a fighter - a street dog - the "John Wayne" of dogs. Sampson and I have worked though is physical disabilities, seizures, Cushings Disease, geriatric vestibular disease a heart murmur and a herniated disc. We have been to the dog ER too many times to count. His partially home cooked meals had more supplements than an Olympic athlete - and he was okay with that.
People thought Sampson was old and feeble. While he was on some accounts (15 years old best guess), he loved short walks, he was deceptively fast, and could run when he wanted. Just 12 months ago, he got out with all the other dogs, ran fast/far, and came home in the dog catcher truck.
A stroke this week was more than my tough Sampson could handle. I lost my big strong boy today. I trust he knows I did my best for him. True to his sweet personality, he made it easy on me in the end.
People say Sampson was lucky to have me....I say I was lucky to have Sampson. He made me laugh and smile. I love him and I will miss him.
TO SAMPSON: Run fast big man on four good legs and in a straight line! I love you and miss you.
