Guest hannahmom Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 On June 29, we said goodbye to Sammi (Blue Sammi Ditto, AKA Sammi Doodle AKA Sir Samuel Jenkins) http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?z=5E1SCS&d=ditto+blue+sam He came to us at 11 ½, a divorce return, and after a week, it seemed as if he had always been with us. Even Hannah accepted him – he just fit in. We figured that after Hannah, we could take just about any dog behavior, but we were graced with Sweet Sammi, my April Fool’s baby. We knew nothing about seniors, but he needed a home, and we needed a dog, He had some rear end weakness, but I thought it might be due to lack of exercise, and indeed, he did improve as he got used to the daily walks with Hannah and Grover. Before long though, we couldn’t ignore the signs of rear end nerve damage (walking diagonally, fecal incontinence growing steadily worse), and the panting he had always been prone to was diagnosed as medium severity congestive heart failure. Still, nobody told him, and the vet said he was in no pain at all. He even managed to put Hannah sharply in her place (AKA the great Gummy Bear Incident of ’09). Mainly though, he wanted to lay in the warm or the cool and sleep – almost always upside down. He was listed as a blue fawn, and that boy had the softest fur I have ever felt. In Feb, I noticed his condition was worsening, and at that time, my vet told us he might make it through the summer, but that another winter was very unlikely. We had to curtail his walks, carry him upstairs and help him get up as his back end slowly deteriorated, At first he didn’t mind – indeed, he would bark when he wanted us, and God help the humans if we were too slow – that boy had a bark that could peel paint !!! He began to get more and more confused, and the barking was fear based, not just asking for help. When he could no longer roach because his traitorous back end would no longer obey him, I knew it was time. Making that appointment made me feel like the worst Grey Mommy in the world, but when the time came, he laid his head in my lap, and ate hot dog coins and quietly slipped away as I sang him the lullaby I sing to them all to soothe them. His spirit was ready –his body just hadn’t received the message. I am glad we had the courage to bring him home and the strength to let him leave. I don’t believe in bridge babies visiting us – as much as I’d like to, but the night we released Sammi, I woke in the middle of the night, and, as I had for months, looked over to check on Sammi. Just for a second, I was sure I saw him laying curled up on the futon/dog bed we bought to cushion his bones, and I could have sworn he looked at me, and with his eyes, let me know it was OK. I had done the right thing, and he was OK. Miss you Sammi – thank you for letting us love you. Hannah was looking for you all weekend, but there were thunderboomers, so I’m glad you didn’t have to be scared. I would have loved to know you when you were younger – I bet you were a real character, but I am honoured that you allowed us to spend the golden years with you, and believe me Doodle, they were golden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyPoopon Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 (edited) I'm so very sorry. I'm glad he got to spend his last and best years with you. I wish he could have stayed longer. Godspeed Sammi. Edited July 5, 2011 by GreyPoopon Quote Standard Poodle Daisy (12/13) Missing Cora (RL Nevada 5/99-10/09), Piper (Cee Bar Easy 2/99-1/10), Tally (Thunder La La 9/99-3/10), Edie (Daring Reva 9/99-10/12), Dixie (Kiowa Secret Sue 11/01-1/13), Jessie (P's Real Time 11/98-3/13), token boy Graham (Zydeco Dancer 9/00-5/13), Cal (Back Already 12/99-11/13), Betsy (Back Kick Beth 11/98-12/13), Standard Poodles Minnie (1/99-1/14) + Perry (9/98-2/14), Annie (Do Marcia 9/03-10/14), Pink (Miss Pinky Baker 1/02-6/15), Poppy (Cmon Err Not 8/05-1/16), Kat (Jax Candy 5/05-5/17), Ivy (Jax Isis 10/07-7/21), Hildy (Braska Hildy 7/10-12/22), Opal (Jax Opal 7/08-4/23). Toodles (BL Toodles 7/09-4/24) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45MPHK9 Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 I am glad we had the courage to bring him home and the strength to let him leave. I'm sure your Sammi felt the same way, Tena. Thinking of you as your mourn the loss of your handsome boy. Quote Tricia with Kyle, our senior mutt dog Always missing Murray Maldives, Bee Wiseman, River, Hopper, Kaia, and Holly Oaks Holly“You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.“ -Bob Dylan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinw Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Good bye, Sammi. I so wish you, your animals friends and your humans could have had more time with each other. Quote Xavi the galgo and Peter the cat. Missing Iker the galgo ?-Feb.9/19, Treasure (USS Treasure) April 12/01-May 6/13, Phoenix (Hallo Top Son) Dec.14/99-June 4/11 and Loca (Reko Swahili) Oct.9/95 - June 1/09, Allen the boss cat, died late November, 2021, age 19. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greybookends Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 I am so sorry for the loss of Sammi. Thank you for sharing his story. Quote Irene Ullmann w/Flying Odin and Mama Mia in Lower Delaware Angels Brandy, John E, American Idol, Paul, Fuzzy and Shine Handcrafted Greyhound and Custom Clocks http://www.houndtime.com Zoom Doggies-Racing Coats for Racing Greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4greyhounds Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 I am very Sorry! Quote Darlene Mom to: Aladdin, Sophie ,Pongo, Jasmine, Relic Forever in our Hearts Champ at the Rainbow Bridge. Let a greyhound race into your heart Adopt Bay Area Greyhound Adoptions INC. Naples/ Fort Myers Chapter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BertnLil Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 I'm so sorry. Quote Pam with Sockem the GH, Birdie the JRT, Osorno the chocolate lab, and Shelby the shepherd mix. Missing Clarice (1991-2007) and Lily (2004-2012), always in our hearts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cully Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Run free sweet baby. Quote waiting at the bridge Connie Van Teddy & Jojo, Cobra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 I am so sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fostr_Mom Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 I am so sorry for your loss. Run free sweet Sammi. Quote <p>Mom to Kyle (Diehard Kyle) & Angel Gracie (KB's Sankey) Foster Mom for AFG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 I am glad we had the courage to bring him home and the strength to let him leave. Me too, on both counts. I'm so sorry he couldn't stay longer with you, in the loving comfort you provided for him. Godspeed, precious Sammi. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ellieb Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 (edited) Beautifully said. I am sharing tears for your sweet boy. I lost my Roo in March. It is SO difficult. Sending you a big virtual hug. Edited July 5, 2011 by ellieb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourofem Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 There is never enough time but the time he had with you was the best and that's what he took with him. All dogs (people, too, for that matter) should know that kind of love in their lifetime. to you and all that loved Sammi. Quote Blair, Stella (DND Heather), Lizzie (M's Deadra), Hitch (Hallo Dominant) and House (Mac's Dr. House) Missing my handsome men Lewis (Vs Lowrider) - 11/11/01 - 3/11/09, Kevin (Dakota's Hi Five) - 1/1/06 - 4/18/11 and my cat, Sparkle Baby - ??/??/96 - 4/23/11 "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is, in fact, the most precious and valuable possession of mankind." (Theodorus Gaza) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcR Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 I'm so sorry. Run free, Sammi Quote Marc and Myun plus Starbuck (the cat)Pinky my AWOL girl, wherever you are, I miss you.Angels Honey (6/30/99-11/3/11) Nadia (5/11/99-6/4/12) Kara (6/5/99-7/17/12) Cleo (4/13/2000-4/19/2014) Antnee (12/1/2002=2/20/17) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fliggie Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 I'm so sorry. Quote My Photojournal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 A special senior hound found his way to some special folks. Every day is a gift, and you all knew that. You will miss him terribly but what wonderful memories you have Godspeed Sammi Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M, Ebbie, HollyBeeBop (Betty Crocker). Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3greytjoys Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 I'm so very sorry for your loss of Sammi. Such a touchingly tearful tribute. Thank you so much for being there for him when he needed you most during his golden years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiona3 Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 (edited) I am so sorry for your loss. That was such a loving and beautiful tribute to a very sweet boy. Sammi truly spent his golden years in a home where he was cherished & loved. Edited July 5, 2011 by Fiona3 Quote Hobbes - April 2, 1994 to April 9, 2008-----Tasha - May 23, 2000 to March 31, 2013 Fiona - Aug 29, 2001 to May 5, 2014-----Bailey - March 22, 2001 to Jan 20, 2015 Zeke - June 1, 2004 - Jan 26, 2016----Callie - July 14, 2006 to July 27, 2019 Forever in my heart: Chooch, Molly, Dylan & Lucy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nyGreys Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Tena, I'm so very sorry. RIP Sammie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies_Dad Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 I am very sorry for your loss of Sammi. He was a gorgeous boy and those seniors are just so so special. Run free Sammi, run free sweetie... Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grey14me Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 I'm so sorry Quote Michelle...forever missing her girls, Holly 5/22/99-9/13/10 and Bailey 8/1/93-7/11/05 Religion is the smile on a dog...Edie Brickell Wag more, bark less :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PiagetsMom Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 That was a beautiful rememberance for your beautiful boy. While his time with you was short, I'm so very glad you found each other. .I"m sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatterseaBrindl Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Run free, Sammie. Making the decision is always the hardest part. You did the right thing. Quote Nancy...Mom to Sid (Peteles Tiger), Kibo (112 Carlota Galgos) and Joshi. Missing Casey, Gomer, Mona, Penelope, BillieJean, Bandit, Nixon (Starz Sammie), Ruby (Watch Me Dash) Nigel (Nigel), and especially little Mario, waiting at the Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dragontearz Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 I'm so sorry for your loss. :f_red Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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