John from Riverside Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I got him back when my son was 3 years old.......I will always remember that day as I was in the military....flat broke.....and my wife wanted me to get a puppy for my son. I traded about 200 dollars worth of computer software and worked on a project in his yard to pay for a GS puppy with championship blood lines from his mother Sadie (a championship show dog in Mass where were were stationed at the time) I remember going down with my 3 year old into their basement to pick out a puppy......we ended up taking the one was over by himself and beating the crap out of the other puppies if they messed with him. Truth be told I dont think he even liked me that much when I picked him up as the others were totally playful and wanted our attention.....but there was just something about him. So that is the one we took. We named him Samson......and he grew to be a very healthy smart dog over the years.......he even saved my sons life from a coyote who wandered out onto the playground while I wasn't looking and he was in one of those child swings.....Samson leaped a 6 foot fence and chased the coyote back into the treeline tearing him up all the way. He was also a great dog to hitch a sled up to and pull the kids around in the snow. As he got older....he got hip displasia which got increasingly worse over the years.....he sold signs of losing it over the past couple of weeks and we knew it was about time. The day before yesterday his body gave out on him and he could not get up....overnight he got 50 percent worse health wise. We carried him to the vet yesteday morning. As we carried him into the vet room he lifted up his head and looked at me with that certain look he would give me from time to time to get my attention......he was saying goodbye. I love you Samson....go find my mom she is waiting for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in San Diego Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Sorry to hear that John. Brought back memories of a german shepard I had named Samson as well. We trained him with a professional trainer and was a pretty amazing dog. Unfortunately he got hit by a car. Man I loved that dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayFinkle Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Sorry for your loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullpen Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Wow, there must be a lot of dust flying around in my office today. Sorry to hear about that John, but you did the right thing. I know the day will come when I'll have to do the same with Thurman (our greyhound), I only hope I can handle it as well as you seemed to. My thoughts are with you buddy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 Wow, there must be a lot of dust flying around in my office today. Sorry to hear about that John, but you did the right thing. I know the day will come when I'll have to do the same with Thurman (our greyhound), I only hope I can handle it as well as you seemed to. My thoughts are with you buddy. Didn't handle it very well....I was a blubbering mess... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullpen Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Didn't handle it very well....I was a blubbering mess... I'm pretty sure I will be also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Sorry to hear that, John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRC Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Sorry for your loss. My GSD is over nine years old. I can't imagine what things would be like without him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yall Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Sorry bro. I had to put one of my babies down in October, and I have another with only a year or two left. Do something to honor his memory and adopt a shelter dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rev.Mattb74 ESQ. Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 John I am sorry to hear about your dog.I love my GS and he is also great with my kids. They really do become part of the family. I hope it is not to difficult for your son either. I hope I am not out of line saying this , but my German Shepard also has papers and good bloodlines(probably not as good as what your dogs was, but still good). Anyway he is a good dog wieghs aboiut 120 pounds and is 2 1/2 years old. I think I would like to stud him out for pick of the litter. If I can find that opportunity I will be willing to give you the puppy as I could not handle two dogs that size. I have been trying to decide for a while between getting him fixed or studded out. Anyway it may be too early for you to think about it, but the offer is on the table if you would like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 just put my 13 year old down this past april. im sorry about your loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuckincincy Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I got him back when my son was 3 years old.......I will always remember that day as I was in the military....flat broke.....and my wife wanted me to get a puppy for my son. I traded about 200 dollars worth of computer software and worked on a project in his yard to pay for a GS puppy with championship blood lines from his mother Sadie (a championship show dog in Mass where were were stationed at the time) I remember going down with my 3 year old into their basement to pick out a puppy......we ended up taking the one was over by himself and beating the crap out of the other puppies if they messed with him. Truth be told I dont think he even liked me that much when I picked him up as the others were totally playful and wanted our attention.....but there was just something about him. So that is the one we took. We named him Samson......and he grew to be a very healthy smart dog over the years.......he even saved my sons life from a coyote who wandered out onto the playground while I wasn't looking and he was in one of those child swings.....Samson leaped a 6 foot fence and chased the coyote back into the treeline tearing him up all the way. He was also a great dog to hitch a sled up to and pull the kids around in the snow. As he got older....he got hip displasia which got increasingly worse over the years.....he sold signs of losing it over the past couple of weeks and we knew it was about time. The day before yesterday his body gave out on him and he could not get up....overnight he got 50 percent worse health wise. We carried him to the vet yesteday morning. As we carried him into the vet room he lifted up his head and looked at me with that certain look he would give me from time to time to get my attention......he was saying goodbye. I love you Samson....go find my mom she is waiting for you. I'm so sorry, John. We put down our stray cat Wallaby, who we picked out of the snow 15 years or so ago, this last week. The usual chronic kidney failure that afflicts felines at that age. Your decision was right - it's hard, but it is what one must do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckeyemike Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I'm sorry for your loss, John. Pets become part of the family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 John I am sorry to hear about your dog.I love my GS and he is also great with my kids. They really do become part of the family. I hope it is not to difficult for your son either. I hope I am not out of line saying this , but my German Shepard also has papers and good bloodlines(probably not as good as what your dogs was, but still good). Anyway he is a good dog wieghs aboiut 120 pounds and is 2 1/2 years old. I think I would like to stud him out for pick of the litter. If I can find that opportunity I will be willing to give you the puppy as I could not handle two dogs that size. I have been trying to decide for a while between getting him fixed or studded out. Anyway it may be too early for you to think about it, but the offer is on the table if you would like. I appreciate the offer I really do....I also have others who are trying to give me dogs as well....... I actually have too many animals for my residence so I am going to pass......I still have 2 other dogs (akita and another young German Sheapard) and 2 cats........ They have big shoes to fill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Coli Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Sorry for the loss of Samson, John. I had to put down a pet last year. Pretty tough thing to do, but it's the last great thing you can do for your friend. I'll quietly knock back a beer for your friend this evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In space no one can hear Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I'm so sorry for your loss John. I lost my much loved basenji, Nigel ,last year at the age of 17 and can tell you Samson will always be with you, as Nigel is with me. Just remember: "When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." From The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran Here is a link to a poem that Jimmy Stewart read on The Tonight Show after losing his beloved dog Beau. CLIP Peace be with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmwolf21 Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Didn't handle it very well....I was a blubbering mess...I'm pretty sure I will be also. That makes three of us. Sorry for your loss, John. FWIW, I really like this little short story/poem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Sorry, man. Really, I am. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Sorry to hear it John. It's tough to let go of a good dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Sorry about your loss. I'm not a big dog person but there is only one type of dog better than a black lab. A german shephard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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