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Brave Warrior

My heart is breaking as I write to share that we set Sam free at the Rainbow Bridge this afternoon.  It’s been a difficult 24 hours to say the least, but he is now running free with all our tripawd friends.  Bear with me as I fear my computer may crash from all my tears falling!

Sam’s energy turned real low the past few days, but he was still doing ok.  Yesterday morning, he got up and ate all his food and had a trip in the yard and JB and I headed off to work.  About noon time, Rich, our dog walker (and darling friend) sent a note that Sammy was not good.  For the first time ever, he didn’t get up when Rich came to the door and his eyes were not focused.  His eyes were rolling to the back of his head and he was struggling to breathe.  JB came home from work immediately and spent the day with him.  He had moments of clarity but was mostly in a fog.  JB spoke with Dr. Cronin and she explained Sammy had turned the corner from living to existing.  She said it would only get worse.  

When I got home from work, he had a little energy – his tail was wagging like crazy but his eyes were vacant.  They were red and sunken.  I had had a talk with him over the weekend and told him he needed to let us know when he was done fighting – and he was letting me know.  JB shared his conversation with Dr. Cronin with me and I said, “tomorrow?” and he said, “yes”.

So the boys had a steak dinner and we just enjoyed our last night.  As you can imagine, lots of snuggling.  I slept on the floor, but Sammy roamed most of the night – although he always came back to lay by my side. 

He was pretty clear this morning but within an hour he was back to the same.  We decided that brave warriors were meant to live, not just exist.  So we made the appointment to give Sammy the best gift we could ever give – to set him free.  He fought such a brave fight – we wanted to end his life with dignity before he started suffering.  His diagnosis was 9 months ago – that’s a long fight.  

Dr. Cronin was not in today so we met with Dr. Rosen – she was simply wonderful.  She was worried a bit that his eye issue could be neurological – it made us even more confident we were doing the right thing, as hard as it was.  When Sammy received the sedative, he became so calm.  We had become so accustom to the heavy breathing the calm took us a little by surprise.  We cried – a lot – but they were good tears.  As typical, he even gave a few tail wags.  We had some good last words, last ear scratches and last hugs before we said good bye.  Our hearts are broken but we know the edges will become less sharp over time.

So, to the boy with a heart of a lion, run free Sammy, run free!  We’ll see you another day good boy!

27 Responses so far »

  1. etgayle said,

    November 23, 2011 @ 8:59 pm     Reply

    we are so very, very sorry to hear that sammy has crossed over. reading his blog always brought a smile to our faces, he had such a love of life and really seemed to enjoy each and every moment he had. you gave him a final, selfless gift by releasing him from his failing body. his spirit is eternal, love never ends.

    charon & gayle

  2. gillian said,

    November 23, 2011 @ 9:07 pm     Reply

    i am so sorry sammy’s time had come. The kindest thing you could do meant making the hardest decision. I just hope i can make the same decision for Dizzy when it is her time. thinking of you and sending you hugs

  3. AbbysMom said,

    November 23, 2011 @ 9:20 pm     Reply

    Oh, I’m so sad and crying with you while I read this. I always loved to see new posts on Sam’s blog because it meant he was still fighting his brave fight – even with those stupid lung mets – and he was not just fighting, but really living life and having a wonderful time.

    You are right – he was too great a warrior to just ‘exist’. You did that last brave unselfish act and I hope you have a lot of peace in knowing that he’s now pain free and that you did everything you could for him.

    These next days, weeks, months will be so hard because our pain really starts when their’s ends, but we are all here for you. Sending virtual hugs to you and JB and Macklin. I know this will be a rough Thanksgiving holiday for you guys – but I know you also really made the most of your time with him and that is the most important thing!
    Jackie, Abby’s mom

  4. kviz said,

    November 23, 2011 @ 9:34 pm     Reply

    Today you loved him most of all. Run free, Brave Warrior!

    <3

  5. chilidawg said,

    November 23, 2011 @ 9:42 pm     Reply

    Oh, I am crying right along with you. I am sorry that you had to say goodbye, but you are right a warrior shouldn’t exist, & Sammy was a fierce & brave warrior. I know how hard that last gift is to give. Sammy is running with my Chili Dawg and he’s showing him where all the good swimming holes are. Praying for you guys & sending you hugs.

    Jenna

  6. chilidawg said,

    November 23, 2011 @ 9:43 pm     Reply

    Oh, I am crying right along with you. I am sorry that you had to say goodbye, but you are right a warrior shouldn’t exist, & Sammy was a fierce & brave warrior. I know how hard that last gift is to give. Sammy is running with my Chili Dawg and he’s showing him where all the good swimming holes are. Praying for you guys & sending you hugs.

    Jenna & spirit Chili dawg

  7. admin said,

    November 23, 2011 @ 9:47 pm     Reply

    …brave warriors were meant to live, not just exist.

    Beautiful. Bless you for giving Super Sammy such a wonderful life, and this final gift of freedom. May he run free of pain and rest in peace at the Bridge.

  8. cometdog said,

    November 23, 2011 @ 10:07 pm     Reply

    Tears fall. I’m just heart broken that Sammy’s time has come. Monkeybutt Rocket and I are both so very, very sorry. He was such a beautiful boy.

    We are here for you, please know that. We will help in any way that we can.
    I’m just so very sorry.
    Angel Comet’s & Rocket MB’s mom

  9. jerry said,

    November 23, 2011 @ 10:15 pm     Reply

    We ache for you all, and are so sad to read this. Super Sammy fought like a true warrior, and you did too. What an honor it was to be part of your journey. Thank you.

    Making that decision is the most difficult of all, but the kindest and most courageous a human being can make. He did not suffer, and you honored his life with this bittersweet gift. Sammy is proud of you.

    The tears will flow fast and heavy for a long time, and like Comet said, we are here for you OK? All of us here understand the pain of letting our warriors go free.

    {{{{{hugs}}}}}}

  10. samson007 said,

    November 23, 2011 @ 10:33 pm     Reply

    We are thinking of you, please give Macklin an extra ear rub from us.
    Bob, Julie, Samson and Lady

  11. tatespeeps said,

    November 23, 2011 @ 11:15 pm     Reply

    I’m so sorry for your loss…thank you for sharing.
    Jan & Tate

  12. mackthemaraudermonkeybuttpirate said,

    November 23, 2011 @ 11:54 pm     Reply

    The days ahead will be very hard for you, but you will see Sam again and the reunion will be beautiful. He is running fast and free with my sister, Spirit Hope and his other tripawds friends.

    Barb and Mack

  13. shelbysmom said,

    November 24, 2011 @ 12:01 am     Reply

    I am in tears……….Godspeed, beautiful boy. Run fast, play hard. See you on the Other Side.

  14. maximutt said,

    November 24, 2011 @ 12:06 am     Reply

    I’m so sorry to hear of Sammy’s passing. I always enjoyed reading about the adventures he and his family had! Sammy is a true Tripawd Hero. His memory will live on forever.

  15. Indiana's mom said,

    November 24, 2011 @ 2:02 am     Reply

    I, too can’t stop crying as I read of your very sad and brave news. Sammy was a gentle tripawd hero and his legacy will live on through you. He will live on in your hearts forever until one day…you will meet again. Until that day, he will watch over you along with our loving tripawds that are waiting to greet him and show him the way…. It is going to be a long road for you to live on without him by your side and I truly know the pain you feel and will feel for quite a while. It is ok to cry and it is ok to cry for days, weeks, months and years. Our tears are tears of love and Sammy knows how much you love him – especially today when you set him free…Like Charon always says…Love never ends… Sending my love & many hugs to you and your family…xoxo
    ~Carol and Spirit Indiana ~

  16. rumblesmom said,

    November 24, 2011 @ 2:42 am     Reply

    So very sorry to hear that you had to say good-bye to your sweet, handsome Sam today. Sending warm thoughts your way.

  17. Lylee Girl said,

    November 24, 2011 @ 4:40 am     Reply

    Oh, I’m so sorry to read about your Sammy boy. He was so fortunate to have such an incredible family. He was so loved.
    I’m holding you both in my heart tonight.
    Huggs to you
    Joanne
    xoxo

  18. riosmom said,

    November 24, 2011 @ 4:42 am     Reply

    Oh, I was so hoping he would make it through Thanksgiving. I am so, so very sorry. Sammy put up a brave fight. And you were brave to see him through his final battle. Our hearts are with you during this difficult time.

    Micki and Rio

  19. Kristin said,

    November 24, 2011 @ 5:46 am     Reply

    Dearest Susie & JB:

    You were the BEST parents to Sam-Sam … so loving, so kind, so giving.

    Sam was so blessed to have you both! Just as are we to have you in our lives!

    May you find the strength this Thanksgiving to give thanks for the most amazing past 9 months spent with your SUPER WARRIOR.

    Sam is now your HEAVENLY ANGEL watching over you …. never stop feeling the love! His love ….

    We love you both … and Macklin …. and you are ALL in our hearts and prayers.

    Remember: “Sadness flies away on the wings of time.”

    Keep you face to the sun, and may Sam’s glow shine down upon you.

    Lots of love & hugs,
    Kristin & Tristan xoxo

    • Kristin said,

      November 24, 2011 @ 6:03 am     Reply

      Dearest Susie & JB:

      You were the BEST parents to Sam-Sam … so loving, so kind, so giving.

      Sam was so blessed to have you both! Just as are we to have you in our lives!

      May you find the strength this Thanksgiving to give thanks for the most amazing past 9 months spent with your SUPER WARRIOR.

      Sam is now your HEAVENLY ANGEL watching over you …. never stop feeling the love! His love ….

      We love you both … and Macklin …. and you are ALL in our hearts and prayers.

      Remember: “Sadness flies away on the wings of time.”

      Keep your face to the sun, and may Sam’s glow shine down upon you.

      Lots of love & hugs,
      Kristin & Tristan xoxo

  20. Lisa said,

    November 24, 2011 @ 7:57 am     Reply

    It’s sad to let them go, but it is much more sad to watch them suffer. You gave brave Sammy a gift, more precious because it is so difficult. Such a beautiful boy, and a beautiful family. May beautiful memories eventually displace the sadness.

    Lisa

  21. supersheepdog said,

    November 25, 2011 @ 12:16 am     Reply

    Oh, I am so very, very sorry to read of the loss of your dear Sammy. He was such an inspiration to us and such a brave, handsome lad. I’m so thankful that you were able to have that additional 9 months with him. My heart breaks for you as you are facing Thanksgiving without your boy. But how wonderful that you had him in your lives and especially that he could depend on you to give him the greatest gift of love . . .

    – Karen and Angel Sweet Sylvie

  22. Charley's Mom said,

    November 25, 2011 @ 5:16 am     Reply

    Sue, JB, and Macklin,

    I am so very sorry that it was Sammy’s time to make his journey to Rainbow Bridge. Tears are falling….

    You all fought a brave and courageous fight. Please remember that cancer did not win. Cancer can not take away the love and memories and Sammy’s spirit with always be with you.

    We will always remember Sammy. Charley is honored to wear his float coat and we promise to always think of your boy when we use it.

    To borrow a quote from Bone Cancer Dogs, “it was not because the cancer won….it was because the balance between spirit and body tipped in favor of his spirit, and I was the chosen one to set him free.”

    Godspeed sweet Sammy. Run free with all of the heroes that have gone before you! Send your mommy, daddy, and brother pennies when you can.

    Wishing you peace, courage and strength during this difficult time.

    Love,
    Ellen & Charley xoxo

  23. fightingforsammy said,

    November 25, 2011 @ 4:35 pm     Reply

    I am crying too right now, so hard for you. I could picture every moment and I know I would have had my heart shattered by it. I am sorry guys, but like the rest of your friends here I have to say he had the best of lives. He truly got to live it, because of his fighting sweet spirit, and because of you. I hope that brings you some comfort.

    Hugs and prayers for peace for you and Super Samson,

    Elizabeth

  24. Jenn, Greg and Kiddies said,

    November 26, 2011 @ 3:16 am     Reply

    We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Sammy! We loved him so much. He is now running through the rainbow bridge with Marley, he was a warrior through and through . The strong fight that he fought, was due to the great life he had because of the loving parents that made it all possible. We were so happy to have been able to see him the last time and spend good quality time watching him run and enjoy the football game. We love you both and now he is added to our list of goodnight prayers we say to all of the people in heaven! Love you and sending out many hugs

    Jenn and Greg (together wrote this) and Cassidee, Greyson and Loodle

  25. Eva St.Pierre said,

    November 26, 2011 @ 7:16 pm     Reply

    Since you came to stay with us at Inn by the Sea for a special getaway for Sam I have been reading your blog and keeping up with how he was doing. Your email you sent us after leaving is posted on our bulletin board and is one of those emails that we all look at and say “This is one of the reasons we work in this business”. We are so saddened to hear of Sammy yet know that he his running with his friends.

    As many before have stated you gave Sammy the best gift of letting him go at the time that was right for him no matter how hard it was for you you did the right thing.

    Our thoughts are with you all and we all send Macklin pats on the head.

    The Staff at Inn by the Sea

  26. Alex said,

    November 26, 2011 @ 9:07 pm     Reply

    This is the hardest part of canine companionship.
    You are doing so well.

    Hope the Brave Warrior shows off his swimming skills
    when he gets to the great pool above! If it smells
    like wet dog next time it rains, that just him shaking off
    after a swim with all his friends.

    Peace,
    Alex

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