Good Dog
Sammie was a good dog.
We rescued her in 1991, and she was a part of my life for fifteen years. She was sweet and kind and soft, a dog who honored me with her loyalty and love. For ten years, she was our constant companion. We'd make her the comfiest beds we could imagine, and still wake up with her curled up at our feet. If you fell asleep on the couch, you knew she'd be right there beside you when you woke up.
Five years ago, we moved back to Tyler and couldn't take Sammie with us in the rent house. The thought of putting her into a shelter just tore me up, and I knew that we weren't going to find anybody to take care of a ten-year old dog. I sat and cried, trying to think of some way that would be good for Sammie without having to put her down. Luckily, my mom and dad took her and kept her.
I knew she'd never have a better home for her retirement years than with my folks. We Kerr's are dog people, obviously. They kept her retirement years safe and comfortable, and loved, and I'll always be grateful for that.
She was a good dog, the kind of pet that people think of when they think of their favorite dogs. She was sweet, and loyal, and would have done anything to be a part of our pack. All she wanted was a bit of kibble, a scratch behind the ears, and a place to lay down where she could check up on us. If there was more than one person in the house and they were separated, she'd walk from room to room to make sure all of us were okay. She had smooth fur and soft eyes, and loved to romp and play.
Sammie had a stroke last night, and had to be put down. She's buried out behind my grandmother's house. I cried again for her last night, thankful for the time she spent with me, thankful for every table scrap I shared with her, every afternoon we played, and every night I'd wake up in bed with her laying on my feet.
Sammie was a good dog. The best.
We rescued her in 1991, and she was a part of my life for fifteen years. She was sweet and kind and soft, a dog who honored me with her loyalty and love. For ten years, she was our constant companion. We'd make her the comfiest beds we could imagine, and still wake up with her curled up at our feet. If you fell asleep on the couch, you knew she'd be right there beside you when you woke up.
Five years ago, we moved back to Tyler and couldn't take Sammie with us in the rent house. The thought of putting her into a shelter just tore me up, and I knew that we weren't going to find anybody to take care of a ten-year old dog. I sat and cried, trying to think of some way that would be good for Sammie without having to put her down. Luckily, my mom and dad took her and kept her.I knew she'd never have a better home for her retirement years than with my folks. We Kerr's are dog people, obviously. They kept her retirement years safe and comfortable, and loved, and I'll always be grateful for that.
She was a good dog, the kind of pet that people think of when they think of their favorite dogs. She was sweet, and loyal, and would have done anything to be a part of our pack. All she wanted was a bit of kibble, a scratch behind the ears, and a place to lay down where she could check up on us. If there was more than one person in the house and they were separated, she'd walk from room to room to make sure all of us were okay. She had smooth fur and soft eyes, and loved to romp and play.Sammie had a stroke last night, and had to be put down. She's buried out behind my grandmother's house. I cried again for her last night, thankful for the time she spent with me, thankful for every table scrap I shared with her, every afternoon we played, and every night I'd wake up in bed with her laying on my feet.
Sammie was a good dog. The best.
A Dog's Prayer
Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.
Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps falls upon my waiting ear.
When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.
And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest - and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.
By Beth Norman Harris
8 Comments:
I'm crying, sitting right here at my desk at work. I'll never forget the first time I saw Sammie. You got her while I was at work, and when I walked in the door and asked "Where's our new dog?" she came wagging her tail over to me.
I remember her curling up between my legs in bed. You'd be taking up one half of the bed, and she'd be taking up another 1/4, and I'd be left with a warm cuddly 1/4 all to myself. :)
I remember her lying on with her head on my enormous tummy when I was pregnant with Em, and the way she'd look up when Em would kick.
I remember Em giggling at her and trying to say "puppy".
She was the best dog, and she was our first baby. I'll never forget her. Like you, I can't express my gratitude enough to your parents for taking care of her and making her last years safe and happy ones.
We were a family...you, Sammie and I. Those memories will stay with me forever.
Jill
Oh, I'm so sorry. That brought a tear to my eyes. I'm a dog person too, so your post really touched me.
Reid, I'm truly sorry for your loss. She was a member of your family and it sounds like she had a great life. That was a beautiful tribute you wrote. Thanks for sharing her with us.
Today was a little better until I read this. But thanks for a beautiful tribute to a special lady. What always struck me was that when we took her to the vet's other people would go on and on about how beautiful she was. They were standing there with their dogs on leashes. That's like talking about how beautiful other people's children are when you have yours right beside you! But she was beautiful inside and out and we are so glad to have had her as part of our family!
Love
Mom
I'm so sorry for your loss, Reid. Having just discovered my own inner "dog person", my heart goes out to you.
That was a beautiful tribute, Reid. I don't think I've ever known anyone that loves dogs as much as you.
It's obvious that she was very loved by many. I think she was just as lucky to have been a part of your lives, as you were to be part of hers.
I'm just glad I got to meet her. She was just as beautiful in her golden years. :-)
Reid, that was beautiful. I love dogs. In a cruel twist of fate, I am allergic to them and cannot live with one. But they are special creatures, and your post summed up why beautifully. Thank you for that. And I too am sorry for your loss.
Reid, I didn't see your post until today. I'm all teary, and giving my own pupster some extra snuggles. Sammie sounds like he was loved the way most humans hope to be loved. You can't do better than that.
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