In Memory of Samson

Hi All....

Tonight I am going to tell you not about the passing of one of HBGRR hardest working volunteers but of the contribution he made to Homeward Bound. Those of you who where here two and half years ago will remember when he joined us…first as a rescue, then as a volunteer.

I believe it was Cheryl who found him on Petfinders and I know it was Lea who sprung him, I heard about him from being on the Taxi Team----ten year old Golden male in the Amador Shelter. It was one of the rare times I was without a foster child… sure I would love to have a ten year old Golden spend the winter with me. I couldn't “retrieve” him but I would provide the home. As it worked out I couldn't meet the “Taxi” driver, I had to send my granddaughter (Nikki) and a friend out to my house to meet our newest arrival. When Nikki got back to the shop I couldn't wait to find out what he was like, she was, surprisingly vague and just said he seemed sweet. Later, as I pulled into the driveway I was met by this awful howling, baying sound…I ran to the kennels and found a BEAGLE! I called Lea and said, “somebody made a mistake, this is not a Golden Retriever, it’s a BEAGLE!” Lea was horrified and made all the right calls but sure enough we had the right dog…ten year old Golden Retriever mix (with BEAGLE). Everybody had a good laugh, we put him on the web site and immediately Mari had a client who wanted him, just because he was a BEAGLE doesn't mean he wasn't cute!

I was having a problem getting him housebroke and told Mari’s client I would like to keep him until I solved the problem…. the problem was that he had severe kidney damage and could not control his urine. He was not going to be adoptable and the Vet thought he would only have a few months to live. Now all the laughter died and we moved Samson to the Sanctuary ranks, little did we know his life was just beginning.

I did some follow up and found Samson had been owner surrendered after living his entire life on a chain is a very small back yard with only a porch for shelter. I created a room in the garage where Samson could live in the comfort of a home without worrying about accidents. Within a very short time Samson was thriving and welcoming in other fosters to his special domain. One of his early charges was another ten-year-old boy named Shadow.  I never did learn what transpired but from the time Shadow moved in Samson stopped having accidents in the “dog room”. When I would open the door in the morning Samson would be the first out and barely made it to the “potty area” but there where no more accidents. Samson was finally “‘housebroke”! During Samson’s tenure as my Kennel Master, he comforted the old, the beaten, the scared and even managed to keep the puppies entertained. He met every one of them at the gate, explained all the rules, made everyone feel at home and then made sure he met all the prospective parents. Samson personally approved most of the adoptions.

The past few weeks I could see my old friend starting to falter and knew our time was drawing to a close, but he still had one more of his charges to get home. Alice was adopted on Saturday and from that time on Samson no longer ate or was able to get out of bed…he wasn't mourning her…he had just completed his last assignment.

I counted up the fosters whom Samson had taken in and amazed to see that he had been instrumental in getting NINETY Golden Retrievers safely home. Those of you who wondered how I could manage so many foster now know…. with the help of my friend.  When you are at the Ranch, looking at the Memorial Wall of Goldens Known and Loved, don’t be surprised at the one, who rightfully taking his place, doesn't look just a bit like a BEAGLE!

Carla McCreary