Amazingly Animal Story - 19

Samson is a dog that came to us from the shelter in 2014.

Samson and his dog brother Rex were abandoned at the shelter by their owner for some lame reason that I just don't care to remember. The shelter situation was much like it is now and dogs were euthanized on a weekly basis. Originally, when I pulled Samson I did not know he had a dog brother. I didn't find out for months that his brother had been euthanized pretty quickly after they came into the shelter due to a lack of space.

Samson was alive because of kennel cough. Shortly after entering the shelter , Samson came down with kennel cough and was moved to the kennel cough ward and separated from Rex. Somehow , he was able to stay off the euthanasia list because he was recovering from kennel cough. I remember when I found out about Rex, feeling very guilty that he was not here with us. It didn't take me long to decide, I would never leave a brother, sister, a mother or a father behind. I would always ask when inquiring about an animal, if they came in with family. If I couldn't take the whole family , I wouldn't cherry pick one of them. I had no plans on ever leaving one behind..... especially the parents.

You ever wonder how events shape an animal rescuers ethics, I can guarantee you there's a story and a pair of eyes behind every one. Samson was that lesson for me. About six months after we got him, a lady walked into petsmart and completely fell in love with him. She mentioned she was going to go home and get her son and they were gonna come back. I had been in rescue long enough to know about all the empty promises people made at the petsmart adoption events. She came back........ And after talking for a while, Samson was on his new journey with his new wonderful family.

He lived with his beloved family for twelve years. I've stayed in touch with his family throughout the years. I know he was loved deeply, and he got what every rescue dog wants......a family who loves him and would never abandon him.

He was helped over the rainbow bridge on Monday due to old age and medical complications that came with that. He was once a dog that somebody threw away, and got lucky enough to catch kennel cough. Getting sick was his saving grace and that was what gave him a little bit of extra time......... Somehow out of all the dogs in the shelter we noticed him, pulled him and then he found an amazing family. He lived in California and Arizona..... the two states that I personally have lived in as well.

Sampson knew Athena way back in my early days of rescuing because he lived at my house for some time. I can imagine they're running around up there looking beautiful. I used to call Samson the most handsome dog in rescue..... And I guarantee you , he's the most beautiful dog and heaven now.

Adopted dogs are so special to their families, but don't ever forget they mark they leave on the rescuers. Fly High Mr. Samson, you will never be forgotten.