Adopted Dogs · Happy Endings · Rainbow Bridge Memorials
Sponsored by: Carl and Mary S.
Sami made the long trek from Jewell IA on March 9. I picked him up on the third leg on his journey in Albert Lea, MN. After taking care of some ‘business’ he willingly got into the back seat of my car for the ride to his new foster home. Sami did a great job on his trip to my house. He rides in a car better that any foster I have had to date. He sits nicely looking out the window enjoying the scenery.
Not much is know about Sami’s history. Not even his age. (The Vet estimated he was @5years old) He was a stray whose time was up when he found his way into the RAGOM program. Sami’s not much of a talker so he hasn’t told me a thing. In fact I don’t think he has barked once in the week since he has been at my house.
When we arrived home I introduced Sami and my dog Baxter (ragom 07-312) in the back yard. After greeting each other with a bit of sniffing, Baxter did his finest play bow and the two have gotten along great since. When it came time to come inside, Sami came right in but immediately went down to the basement. In fact I had to go get him and bring him back upstairs so he knew it was OK to hang out with the rest of us. He continued to do this the first day when he came in from outside, but quickly learned that at my house he could hang out upstairs with the rest of the family. He is quiet and well behaved in the house. And does really well when I have to leave and no humans are at home. He is housebroken. So far the only ‘bad’ behavior I have seen inside the house is some counter surfing. But come to think of it he only did that the first few days and responds well to redirection.
On Tuesday Sami made a trip to the Vet. He had had what I believe to be a seizure on Monday night while I was making supper. It didn’t last long, and he was back to normal within the hour but I wanted to check things out. Sami did great at his exam. His basic physical came out with good results. The vet explained that Seizures are pretty common and that it is possible that the stress of his resent life coupled with poor nutrition could have factored in. Some dogs will have seizures as infrequently as once a year. If Sami has them more regularly that we will investigate further. The vet took some blood and some of Sami’s levels were off. Again, the Vet felt that poor nutrition could really be a factor. So we will bring him back in a few weeks of good living and healthy eating for a recheck.
Sami gets his stitches out from his neuter surgery on Tuesday. Hopefully after that we will be able to get him into a groomer. He is looking a little scruffy. He is not a PB. The original boarding facility in IA thought that he was a Golden Retriever/Samoyed cross. He is golden size at 49# and has the golden face and sweet temperament. However he does have a beautiful coat of fur on him that is much thicker and longer than a typical Golden. I will have to take a photo shoot after he gets into the groomer as I suspect he will be absolutely gorgeous after.
As long as every thing goes well Sami and I are planning on being at the RAGOM education booth at the Highland Park Petco next Saturday March 22.
Sami has been adjusting to his new golden life well. On Friday he went to the dog groomer for a beauty treatment. WOW, he looks so handsome! Saturday he went to the RAGOM information booth at Highland Petco. Everyone agreed, he is a very good looking boy. I was concerned that the outing might stress him a little and was prepared to leave early. But Sami loved being there and we stayed the entire time. He enjoyed the interaction with the other dogs and people as well. With the help of others I was even able to get some good pictures. (As I am the worlds worst photographer I had to take a lot of pictures to get a couple of good ones!)
Ragom volunteers bearing treats - now that's my kind of people! |
My foster mom took my gentle leader off to try and get a good picture of my face. But there were so many great dogs and people there to look at I just would hold my head still for a picture. I really just wanted to make friends with them all and to play. |
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Since Sami had his first seizure at my house with in the first few days he came to stay as my foster, he has had two more that I have witnessed and one un-witnessed one. At least the tail, tail signs were there that he had had a seizure while I was at work. I brought him back in for a Vet visit to discuss this. Blood tests were run to help determine the cause and a fasting blood test will be run on Monday to further narrow down the reasons before medication is prescribed. Already we have eliminated the Thyroid as a cause as his levels for that are normal. Hopefully after Monday’s lab results come in Sami can start on medication and get back to living the rich life he deserves.
He is such a sweet boy!
I did have one other thing I wanted to discuss with the Vet. I suspected Sami has a hearing loss. The Vet confirmed this. Sami is deaf. Sami is extremely well adjusted to this. In fact I didn’t even realize that it was a possibility until he had been living with me for over a week. He is very attentive to body language and responds well to signals. He learns extremely fast and wants to please. He just doesn’t respond to noise. So…. no storm anxiety or fireworks fear! As Martha Stewart would say, that’s a good thing!
I will post again as soon as I get the lab result. Keep you fingers and paws crossed that the news is good,
Maggie
Sami’s foster mom
Sami and I will be going to the Eagan Chuck & Don's event on Sat 4/26!
Greetings,
Sami here, I though I’d get the update done for my foster mom while she gets ready for her day. Well I have been feeling much better lately. The nice man my mom called a Vet said my liver test came out good – my liver is healthy and not the cause of the seizures– so I could started medication to treat them. The medication was a little strong at first and I felt all wobbly when I walked so my mom talked to the man and they reduced the dose of my meds. I feel all better now and have not had a seizure since I started taking the pills. The best thing about it is I now get a glob of peanut butter with my food. My foster mom hides the pill in it which works perfect for me as I love peanut butter. I over heard my mom talk to the vet (actually I read lips) and he said the medication has been around a long time and is very economical. I don’t know what that means but it sounded like a good thing. I have to go back to see the nice man in a couple of weeks so they can take more blood and make sure I am handling the medication OK. Then I should be ready to find my forever home.
So what kind of a forever home am I looking for?
Well I’m an easy going guy so I would probably fit into most places. I get along well with both dogs and cats. I would probably make a really good companion for an older, mellower dog. I don’t have any resource guarding issues. My foster brother dog and I eat at the same time in the same room and have never had an issue with the food. I do love my pig’s ears though so I don’t like it when Baxter tries to steal them away from me. I pretty much let him have his way most times as he is such a juvenile delinquent but I had to put my paw down when it comes to him trying to take my pigs ears away from me. I’m a really nice guy but not a total pushover.
I pretty much ignore cats. If Mrs. Bigglesworth wanted to sleep with me I’d probably let her but she’s not that kind of cat. I would probably do well in a home as an only pet also. I am very adaptable.
My foster moms thinks I should have a fenced in yard. But she thinks all dogs should have a fenced yard. She is over protective because I am a stray and she doesn’t know my history. I still haven’t told her because I’ve moved on from the past.
I do well with stairs and will sleep just about anywhere. I am kennel trained but since I am housetrained and not destructive I really don’t need to hang out in a crate.
I learn fast. I like to please my humans so if I know they really don’t like me to do something I try not to do that. Well, I do like to beg for food, not that it does me any good. My foster mom is a stickler about not giving in to me when I beg.
It’s time to go outside again, so I will have to say good bye for now. I’ll try to sneak on this thing latter,
Sami
Sami here, and am I excited. I just found out I have sponsors! Thanks Carl and Mary S, I am prancing with joy to know that you care enough to sponsor me.
I have really been feeling good this last week. I did have one small seizure but my FM wouldn’t have even noticed it if I hadn’t been on the floor next to her. I recovered within minuets of when it was over and went about doing my business. I need to go into the Vet for another blood text (just routine testing) so my FM will ask the Vet about it then.
Yesterday I went to the C&D RAGOM booth in Cottage Grove to meet with the public. Boy did I have fun. I met a lot of nice people and got to hang out with other great dogs that are looking for forever homes just like me. I got so tuckered out that I slept all the way home. The rest of the day I just hung out with Baxter and Mrs. Bigglesworth.
Eat, Sleep, Play, Sleep, Play, Play some more, Eat, Play, Sleep… Boy now that’s the life.
Sure beats being a stray and having to worry about where my next meal will come from and if I will find a safe dry place to sleep for the night. I am so grateful that I found my way to RAGOM even though I am not a PB Golden. I am leading a very Golden life right now. But I am ready and would sure like to find my forever home. If anyone is ready to share their life with a loving, calm, just give me a little attention and I’ll love you forever sort of guy contact placement@ragom.org
I will be bringing Sami and Peanut Butter 08-266 to the Maple Grove PetCo on Saturday, May 17th.
Well I thought I’d sneak on the computer while my FM was busy getting ready for the day. I haven’t checked in lately to tell you all how I am doing, mostly because I haven’t been feeling the best. My FM and the Vet have been working at getting my medication dosage correct so that I can stop having seizures. I have been having about one seizure week, at least that’s what I have in front of my FM. I’m not telling if I have had any while she’s not at home, or is sleeping at night. My seizure’s aren’t very severe so I don’t loose control of anything so my FM doesn’t have any gifts left behind for her to know that I had one while she was not around. But since my medication has been adjusted upwards I have to adjust to the increased dose, and well, that has upset my stomach. So…. To make a long story very short my mom picked up some special food from the Vet that is very gentle on my system. I think it tastes great and I like it better that the other food my foster brother Baxter gets to eat. I have been feeling better since I have started to eat this new food. My FM also picked up some really good tasting dog treats that are made to go with my new diet.
Wow I sure do love treats.
The good news is that since my medication dose has increased I haven’t had a seizure in front of my FM for over a week. She doesn’t want to curse it by talking about it because in the past when ever she has gotten hopeful that we were getting the seizure thing under control and she’d start to talk about it I’d have another one. So… I am asking you all to keep your fingers and paws crossed that we are at the right dosage.
The other thing that has been happening in my life is that it looks like the weather is finally getting warmer out. I have this really thick coat of fur and have been shedding like crazy. I really love it when my FM brushes me out. It feels great, I love the attentions and it has really worked well to get all the undercoat out. My fur comes out in clump so it is pretty easy to clean up after. My foster brother dog’s fur comes out one at a time. My FM thinks that it is easier to clean up a clump of fur than a hundred little pieces of hair.
I’d like to thank my sponsors for being so patient with me for not updating my site more often. My FM has told me that she knows you and that you are really great people.
Sami
Just wanted to hop on this fancy machine my FM has to say hello to all of you.
I have been feeling really good lately and my FM thinks I’m ready to find my forever home. I haven’t really put much thought into it until we had some guests for the week-end. My FM dog sat for 2 other dogs this week-end.
One of our week-end house guest was a former foster of my FM and the other her new forever home brother dog. Daisey 07-177 told me how wonderful her life has become since she found her forever family about a year ago. Now I am anxiously looking forward to finding my forever home.
I know some people would overlook me because I am both deaf and have seizures. My FM thinks I am a really well adjusted dog. She feels the Deafness is a non-issue. I keep an eye on her and do what she signals me to do. I haven’t had a seizure for a couple of weeks and that last one I had was pretty small. I just stared blankly and shook my paws for a short amount of time. I recovered within minuets. I take my medicine everyday and my vet says it’s pretty inexpensive as far as meds go.
My FM thinks I need to be adopted with someone who has a fenced in yard because I have what she calls no recall. I think that’s because I can’t hear to come when called if I’m not facing her. I am really good about coming when I get the come signal or she opens the door to the house.
I get along really well with cats, and other dogs. But I would prefer a dog with a calm nature, or maybe a senior dog. I just don’t go in for that running into and jumping on top of and wrestling play. I also don’t like it when another dog tries to take my food. But hey, who does? My foster brother dog and I understand each other when it comes to food, bones, and toys. Even though he is a young energetic boy we get along well.
My foster mom thinks I would also do well as an only dog. I prefer her company to the other animals in the house. I relate to my humans well. I guess I am pretty adaptable. In the house, I am great. I am totally housetrained and non-destructive. Give me a nice cushion near to my human and I am a very happy camper. At night I’ll sleep by the side of your bed or any place you tell me.
So, if you are that special person, or family, open your heart to me. I have lots of love to give; I am just waiting to find you!
Sami
It is with great happiness that I announce that Sami has found his forever home.
I received an email from placement letting me know that a couple was interested in Sami. I set up a visit with J and N and Sami and talked in length with them about Sami. Sami didn’t say much but he enjoyed exploring their home and all the attention he was receiving from his two new friends. The next day I received a call. We’d like to adopt Sami, he’s just what we are looking for.
The big day for Sami was on Tuesday. My heart felt both joy for Sami and sadness at knowing I would be saying goodbye to a very sweet boy who had become part of my life. But I brought him to his new home knowing he was being left in very competent hands and will be loved and spoiled by his new family.
I would like to thank Mary and Carl S for sponsoring Sami. Having the advantage of knowing you I would like to let all who read this know what great people you are. You unselfishly give your time to help where you are needed and very generously sponsored Sami as well as other deserving dogs. You are very special. Two of RAGOM'S angels!
Maggie,
Sami’s Foster Mom
| Hi, We adopted Sami August 5, 2008 and I wanted to let you know with a heavy heart that Sami crossed the Rainbow Bridge today, after a battle with Multiple Myeloma, a form of bone marrow cancer. He has forever touched our lives, and we could not have asked for a better doggy. He was a trooper until the very end, and taught us many life lessons and showed us how to live life with grace and compassion. He is very much missed. We love you Sami! Janna & Nate
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This is Sami. We adopted him last August, and he brought a lot of joy and laughter into our lives. (How can you not laugh at this little "clown face?") He showed this to us often to let us know just how happy he was to have found his furever home. Plenty of tasty doggy food (although he would have loved to have more!), a treat each day, lots of walks, and TONS of love and attention. Doesn't get much better than that! He let us know how appreciative he was of everything with little licks to the hand and face, tail wags, and clown grins.
Sami was a special needs boy, as he was deaf and had a history of seizures. The deafness proved to be pretty much a non-issue. He was very well-adjusted to living in a quiet world, and focused on visual cues to communicate instead. Plus, we really enjoyed the fact that he didn't bark! His deafness however didn't stop us from talking to him any less, and we still called him many names, even though he never responded. (Sami Pants, Sammers, Buddy, Budders, Sami Davis Junior.) :) Also, his seizures were minimal. In the 6+ months that we had him, he only had 2 seizures, and they were very very mild. With the vet's recommendation, we were even able to cut his medication in half, so he was able to feel a little more "normal" and less "woozy."
We joked that Sami was our child in training. He taught us how important it is to have the garbage out of site, and to anticipate his moves on a walk, as he loved uncovering good things to eat! (Dead fish included - yuck!) These "opportunities" taught us the art of negotiating. Sometimes a firm "Drop It!" was enough; other times, we needed to do a trade. Occasionally even that wasn't enough - he once found a dead mouse during a road trip potty break and after trying to get him to unclench his jaws for a half-hour, he was able to chew quickly and swallow it down!
Sami was also a reliable alarm clock, waking us each morning at 7:30 so he could get his walk and get his breakfast at 8 a.m. (It was so cute, as we wrapped up our morning walks, he would start jogging back to the house so we could start breakfast ASAP!) And he always made sure we wouldn't forget to feed him his dinner, moving over by the kitchen at 7:30, giving us the subtle hint that it was almost time for his supper! (We know buddy, we know.)
His calm nature and friendly and happy ways made him such a joy to be around. He LOVED snow (particularly eating it) and occasionally made snow angels, but only when he was feeling extra silly. His paws got cold from time to time, so we picked up some booties for him, and he was happy to put them on!
Sadly, Sami's health went downhill quickly in March 2009. His energy levels quickly subsided and after ruling everything else out, the Vet determined Sami was anemic due to Multiple Myeloma, a form of bone cancer. After weighing several factors (his age - the Vet guessed he was much older than we thought he was; a poor prognosis after chemo; the pain/suffering of treatment/quality of life during treatment; the cost; etc.), we decided the best thing for Sami would be to make the most of his time left, and we would let him go when he showed us that he was ready. He got to experience yummy foods like cheeseburgers, french fries, scrambled eggs in the meantime, (as he wasn't eating his regular dog food) and we would go outside just to let him lay in the grass and enjoy the warm sunshine and the approaching Spring. In his decline, he showed us how to live with grace, and to make the most of each day. We were heartbroken with his diagnosis and I bawled all the way home from the Vet's office; when we got home, Sami came up to me and laid his head on top of mine, trying to comfort me. (That speaks volumes about what a special doggy he was.) We helped him cross The Rainbow Bridge on a Friday, and afterwards Nate and I talked about our favorite memories of our Sami, his silly face, and toasted him with Champagne that we had in the fridge to celebrate our anniversary. He is now buried at my parent's home, in their little pet cemetery, and will forever hold a spot in our hearts.
A special thank you to Sami's Foster Mom Maggie. She was a great source of comfort before and after his death, and her kind words helped Nate and I deal with his passing. You are an angel Maggie! You helped us feel peace with his passing and that means more than you'll ever know. Also a special thank you to Sami's sponsors, Carl and Mary S, and to all the RAGOM volunteers who helped bring Sami into our lives!
Janna