Sampson  1990-1/23/01

He was already 10 years old when I rescued him from animal control. His owner  had beaten him for having an accident in the house, and he had nipped him in self defense. I was called because the Animal control didn't have the heart to euthanize him when his 10 day quarantine was up, as the owner had demanded. The owner had a history of abusing him and they were happy to let me take him home.

His name was Sampson and I fell instantly in love with this small, gray faced Great Dane boy. I called him affectionately "old man". He was arthritic but spunky as a 2 yr old at times!  He fell right in with my 4 Danes (at that time) and made his place here. He was afraid sometimes  and sought me out for comfort. He was my shadow.  After 41/2  months, his arthritis became very painful, medicines were no longer working and he was becoming confused. He asked me to help him to the Bridge one morning and I could not refuse this gentle "old man".

He was lovingly let go on January 23, surrounded by myself, Midge Kelly (president of our rescue) and both Dr. Nichols and Dr. Rufner, our wonderful rescue vets.
To this day, none of my Great Danes lay on his pillow and they seem to "know" he is still here, in Spirit.  For this is where I truly believe that he learned what love was and I pray he went to the Bridge a happy boy. I miss him every day.

Dusti Summerbird-Lockey    
summerbird1@juno.com