My Beloved Samson

     It is almost the start of another new year, where does the time go? Those old people that tell you it goes faster when you get older are not kidding. It feels like the past 10 years have gone by in the blink of an eye.
    This year ended on a sad note. My beloved Samson passed away at the end of November quite unexpectedly. He was 10 years old and still had so much puppy in him, but his body decided otherwise. It was a complete "Marley & Me" moment as I cradled his head while the Doctor administered the fatal shot to put him at rest. I cried and cried, and still continue to cry. I lost my best friend and it will forever break my heart.
    We buried him in the field where he loved to run. I even made a headstone with a large chunk of stone and a Dremmel. JC (the cat) and I would walk out to his grave and I would tell him what had been going on and how much I missed him. After a few trips, JC jumped on the headstone and rubbed his head all over it. He misses him too.
    The new year brings a new life as we start over without Samson. Although it has been suggested that acquiring a new dog will help me heal, I cannot begin to fathom another dog in my life. I would rather remember him rather than replace him.
   If anybody is reading this and your pet is anywhere near you, hug them, pet them, kiss them, but don't ever take them for granted. I am thankful for all the good times Samson and I had together, but I wish there could have been more.
   For the coming new year, I wish the best for all animals and their owners, but mostly I wish for the strength to remember Samson without tears.