1-27-12 VERMONT: Our friend Sam, short for Samantha, a name that she never answered to, died in her sleep early yesterday. For the past year she had been losing her agility, her hearing, her vision and her stamina.
Once, she could run down the middle of a stream, without seeming to look for the rocks, and never get wet. She loved the car, and if you parked in the driveway leaving an open window, she would be in the driver’s seat when you came back. After an early career of car chasing, barking sprees and all-nighters in the pasture, she settled in a more sedate routine of only barking at trucks, especially ones with flashing lights.
She had an incredibly thick coat, much thicker than the goldens, and needed combing once or twice a month to remove the shed fur that was still on the dog. Each grooming would yield enough fur to make a whole new dog.
We adopted her at about age two, according to the vet. Since she came with no history other than stray dog, St. Huberts ID’d her as ‘border collie’, but that was no more than speculation. On two occasions, I saw very similar dogs, but neither owner knew what the mix was either.
Even thought she was sick, deteriorating and had no chance of recovery, it’s still a heart breaker. Even though it was her time to go, it never gets easier.
2 comments:
Sam was a wonderful dog, especially on hikes. She always traveled at least twice the distance of her human companions, running ahead and then doubling back for us slowpokes. Also, in contrast to the goldens, Sam made you earn her affection. I appreciated that.
I love that photo - she looks like a silent movie star.
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