Samwise – my best friend

January 11, 2004 – February 4, 2016

Sammy was a Dokhi Apso – commonly called Tibetan Terrier or Tsang Apso – who was the love of my life and my best friend. He came into this life in Fort Meyers Florida. Both his parents were champions of their breed and he showed every bit of his lineage. A ancient breed – they are known to be their own dog.

On his first car ride on the way back to the airport we started to bond which would set the pattern for one of his favorite things to do – ride in the car!

Sammy often spent his vacations on the beach. One of the things he loved to do was find anything stinky to roll in. He wasn’t as fond of being hot so he regularly got haircuts to stay cool and comfy in the heat.

The breeder told me before I even picked him up that he was a ‘talker.’ Some Dokhi Apsos apparently were known to be very vocal and this was certainly true for Sammy – especially later in life.

Sammy just loved the bed and his bones. His core competency was sleeping and he did it every chance he got. He loved his bones – both to guard them from the other dogs and even chew them every once and a while.

He was a curious dog – always exploring the world around him. He wasn’t like other dogs as much as he wasn’t one to sit in your lap and lick your face – he was his own dog.

I was convinced from a very early age that he was a reincarnated buddhist monk from his homeland of Tibet. He would spend hours contemplating the nature of the universe and no one ever quite knew what he was thinking. His was an ancient breed and they primarily were temple dogs who spent their days with the monks.

While he did like to do some of the things that ‘normal’ dogs did he never had a keen interest in playing with toys, fetching the ball, etc. I always thought he never really saw the point in it but did it because the other dogs did.

Generally he was very well behaved and never really got in much trouble or mischief. But he had many sides to him and always took advantage of the situation he was in. He truly lived for the moment.

He was such a handsome boy! People would often remark what a beautiful dog he was. As he got older they couldn’t believe he wasn’t younger. He was truly a specimen and represented the best of his breed being from a champion mother and father. The breeder told me that I should breed him – he was champion material.

He always brought joy to my heart – he could be a clown in his own little world. Never jealous or resentful because he got less attention sometimes because of the other dogs. He was very territorial though and disliked mean or overly agressive dogs. He always would take a stand.

But more than anything – he was everybody’s best friend. He would always greet everybody like they were special but never demanded much more than a butt-scratch. He would always walk between my legs and raise his rear feet when he got a good scratch! He didn’t demand much more but always loved to be with his peeps.

He never demanded much from me – other than riding in the car! He loved to take walks and while he liked the beach well enough he was never as fond of it as my other dogs. Like most dogs – he mostly liked to sniff and hopefully find a tasty treat (the grosser the better) or something to roll in. Boy did he like to roll in shit – the stinkier the better!

And did I mention how much he loved to ride in the car. Sure – most dogs do but for Sammy it became his obsession later in life. He loved both sniffing the air with his head out the window or lying next to me while I scratched him all over as we took our trips. He loved his scratches but was never demanding.

He was on this earth a wonderful 12 years and enjoyed ever moment being here. He always made me aspire to be the person he thought I was. He was always my dog from the beginning though and he ended up being the love of my life. Well – he never was really my dog – he was his own dog but I got the honor of sharing this lifetime with him. I treasure the moments we had together.

Sammy enjoyed every moment of his life. He lived in the moment and never had a mean bone in his body. Everybody that knew Sammy loved Sammy. He taught me so much I was always be grateful and humbled for my time with him. It was truly an honor to be part of his life here. I know that he will live on in my memories and somewhere out there he is on his next journey of wonder. I miss you terribly my friend – you really touched my soul.

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….