My Sweetheart Golden, Sampson
Written by: Patty Taylor







 My "heart" dog, Sampson died on September 30, 2001. Last year, I had to leave Nebraska and I was in California caring for my terminally ill Mom from 9/00 to 3/01. When I returned in March of 2001, Sampson was not the dog I left behind. All of his energy had been sapped and he would collapse on the ground after walking about 20 feet. When I left him, he used to be able to go on walks with us for blocks and blocks and blocks. I started taking him to the vet in March, he was diagnosed with pneumonia and was treated. But, he still had continuing respiratory problems, and I continued taking him to the vet. Finally, in August, I said that's enough, we have no definitive diagnosis. I took him to Kansas State Vet Hospital. After two days of tests, ultrasounds, blood work, etc., etc., they said he had: laryngeal paralysis, Cushing's disease AND an aortic aneurysm. The aneurysm in dogs is so extremely rare, there is no treatment nor procedure to deal with it. The doctor who diagnosed it said he had only seen it twice in 42 years of practice. K State basically told me to take him home to die in peace. By the way they were acting, I knew they didn't think he'd live long enough to get out of the building! 

Well, he did. I continued working with my vet on the appropriate medications to give him to keep him comfortable. He held his own and got around just fine for the ensuing weeks. He ate well, he was enjoying life and he was NOT suffering at all (I would not have allowed that). And, I went out and bought a child's wagon so he could still go on walks with us -- he was such a doll in his wagon. He was even able to go to my local rescue's annual carnival in June of 2001 in his little blue wagon! But, the beginning of September, he started having problems after eating. He ate breakfast and threw it up, he ate only half of his dinner and threw that up also. I honestly did not know what to think, I had no idea what may be causing this - whether it was because of the LP or the aneurysm. It got progressively worse during the week. I'd get him to eat a few bites of liver, or boiled hamburger, etc. but he didn't get any better. I discussed it with my vet and we decided to put him on antibiotic injections. Because of the LP, I knew I couldn't force a pill down him. He had his first shot on Friday, another on Saturday and still didn't respond. I could see he was getting weaker and weaker. But, I knew I could not subject him to any further tests or extraordinary measures. On Sunday, he came to my bedside and woke me up. His breathing was very labored. I cooked him some chicken liver and did get him to eat a couple bites but he wanted no more than that. I then gave him his antibiotic injection. He went outdoors and I went out there to sit with him on the grass in his favorite spot. It wasn't 15 minutes before he let out a very long sigh and last breath and he slipped away in my arms. 

I thank God that I was there for him and with him at the end. Sampson came to me as my first golden foster dog in April of 1999. Yes, the dog that came to stay. His owners turned him into rescue when he was 9-1/2 yo and they had had him since he was an 8 week old pup. Their reasons? He was just too old, too slow, no fun anymore and stinky. He had for the most part been kept as an outdoor door and he had the calluses on his elbows to prove it. But, from the moment this guy "bounced" into our home, I loved him. I KNEW I could never part with him. And he was a joy every single minute of every day from the moment he came here. He was my "distinguished gentleman". His tail NEVER stopped wagging, no matter what. Not even when they put an oxygen mask on him to help him breath last April - as long as I was with him. His tail was still wagging as I held him and spoke to him when he took his last breath and died in my arms. He was my happy guy. 

The day after he died, he would have turned 12 years old. My heart is broken into millions of pieces. The house, even though I still have 3 goldens here, is just screaming empty. Because he's not here. I want him back so bad. All the rationalization in the world does not stop me from wanting him back -- I know he's gone to a better place, I know he's no longer in pain and not suffering -- but I still WANT HIM BACK. My first golden, Spot, who is now 5 years old, was the reason I got involved in rescue but Sampson is what kept me going when rescue got me down. I always knew there would be another Sampson out there that needed my help, my love. Because of him, I have a special fondness and love for the seniors. They have so much to give, and ask nothing in return. They are the most special of the special, always grateful, always loving. And I also know now that Sampson kept going for me, he knew how I would miss him, how much I loved him. He is free now. He is the epitome of rescue, HE is what it's all about. Will you all please say a prayer for my Sammie and his safe journey to the bridge? I'd really appreciate it.