Master SamSam continues to get braver bit by bit. He is coming to my rocker in the family room more and more when the other dogs come for their pets and pats. As long as you don't make eye contact, it's all good. He continues to prefer going in and out of the kitchen sliders, and as long as his kennel is open, you tell him 'Sam house' and walk away, he'll come right in.

He still will bark when startled, or when left outside for potty or play time, he may well run around barking for the shear joy of it. But if I stand quietly and tell him 'Sam, NO!' I stand a good chance he will quiet down. Since Dora the Boxer moved on and was adopted (Yeay for Dora) I think Sam has been a little lonesome. He's living with a 8, 10 and 12 year old dogs....though lately in the morning, after Big Jake 08-243 has gotten us up for potty at about 5:30 a.m., I sneak back to bed and Sam and Jake will get on the bed and wrestle. What is a real riot is Sam will stand over Jake and not let him up. Poor Jake is bested by him every time. But it's great fun to watch them play, growling and carrying on all in fun. He is also playing more with Lake the Lab from next door.....not always and not a lot. But it's a start. The other night I heard a couple of the dogs behind my chair wrestling and I looked and here was Sam and Max 08-136...both laying on their sides mouthing one another. So there is progress, albeit baby steps.

Sam has been with us since January 2nd. We certainly have had our ups and downs, but with each success it dims the less-than-good things of the past. He has not had any accidents in the family room...YEAY, and is eating good. He is on Duck and Sweet Potato for his allergies and doing well. He gets an antihistimine (over the counter) 2x/day and when his eyes bother him, we have eye ointment. Not real sure if it's seasonal or food, so keeping him on the food will assure his staying healthy.

The thing I still love best with Sam is when he's on the bed and is like a puppy, jumping around, laying on me, giving me kisses, nibbling at my ears or hair....just being a DOG......it's what tells me in time he will be like this around people all the time. There is that playful doggie in there, and the door keeps opening, just a little at a time, but one day it will be wide open and Sam will come bounding through it to the world of play and human trust.

Sammy does cute things....always when the camera is nowhere near, so I'm afraid I only have a couple new ones. Which reminds me of his favorite thing to do; gather up all the bones and take them to his kennel. When we leave, all 4 dogs will have bones and when we get home, all but one will be in his kennel. He's such a silly boy. He still loves his Red Bird....but with Max around, he only gets it when he's crated and the door closed (which it isn't during the day) or when Max isn't around. But he still has it:) He also is very patient and will watch the other dogs chew on bones or hooves, but as soon as they put it down or walk away, boom he's right there and got that bone. As you can tell from the picture, he already had the kong on the couch, but the bone became available...in his eyes anyway:)

Foster Mom and the crew

P.S. My apologies for being late with Sam's update and my sincere thanks to Sam's foster, Tina Peplowski! 

Dear Sammy,

They say time changes all, and in your case it is certainly helping you along. We are past the 'flying poop' stage finally!! I have found by putting your halter on and clipping on the leash and gently tugging, you are more apt to follow me where I want to go. You are becoming braver and braver. Your biggest accomplishment is when you go outside and get a bit excited or decide to help foster sister Dora send out the alert someone is walking by, I simply yell "Sam, house"..........stand clear and you will run up the deck steps and into your kennel right inside the door. It has made life so much easier :) And of course if the troops head for the van, the door is open and we aren't standing there, in you go.

You have a new foster brother, Jake 08-243, and he is a big boy, the size of cousin German Shepard, Bruno. We call him Big Jake or BJ as resident Jake gets confused. At any rate it has surprised us at how you have put this old boy in his place. He seems to really like you and wants to join you in the big crate in the family room, and you don't want the company while resting in there. We were so surprised when you first let him know what your rules were. What really cracks me up is the picture of the two of you looking at one another; one because you usually run when you see the camera and two because it's hard to believe the size difference.

The couple that adopted Ralph 07-051, stopped by with goodies for me...well actually all of you, and Tammy got a couple of awesome pics of you that I'm going to include in your update. Now your foster Tina Peplowski can see how good you are looking and how your coat is growing out. So thank you, Tammy, for the pictures to share. And as always, Tina, thank you for your sponsorship in helping this boy get the vet care he needed.

You seem to be enjoying all the commotion of dogs, there are 6 of you this weekend, the marrow bones, and the running out in the field when FD takes you out. You run like the wind, it's just amazing. But you are always to ready to head back in the house after a good romp. In the morning it is not unusual for you to actually lay out in the kitchen by Dora while FD is having coffee and watching TV.

You are doing well on the allergy food and treats and you LOVE apples, but want nothing to do with the carrots. You are not so fond of your weekly allergy bath, but this last time wasn't as bad as BJ got his first, and we did it outside in the baby pool on the deck with nice warm house water. At least you don't hold a grudge against me for too long. FD makes fun of the long hair around your neck as the rest of your coat hasn't caught up yet:) It will.

Thankfully you have no issues with thunder storms or fire works etc. You have adjusted to the dogs coming and going, you know the routine, you will stand up for your self like with BJ, and you can run circles around Dora. FD says he likes to watch you when you get going and Dora gets in the way and you just whiz by her and if she gets too close you sorta knock her outta the way. Yet you will play gentle when anyone wants.

Our last hurdle is the 2 places you like to 'mark'......the family room couch and resident Jake's food bowl/cupboard area. I had Tammy make you a "belly band', which is material with velcro and a place to put a kotex napkin that's fits underneath you, and basically if you decide to try and mark, you get to keep what you try to put out there :) I will be happy to donate this to the family that adopts you :) Though, to be very honest, everytime you have gone to Jan's you have never marked, which leads me to believe this is your way of saying this is your place and letting the other boys know it. Personally we all know you belong just fine, so you could just forgo this last bad habit :)

SamSam, you are really doing well, and you need to find your forever home in the near future. Of course it will have to be someone who is loving, patient and understands it will take time for you to adapt to them, the new surroundings and you will need at least one fur brother or sister. There is no exception to that, you will always need that well adjusted sibling to help you to continue to grow. In some ways it will be like starting over, but I believe you will adjust just fine, just like you did at Jan's. It always amazed me how well you did in her environment with the dogs. Leah, being a RAGOM girl herself and shy, bonded with you and when Dexter was there, you hardly were in your crate and played with him day and night. This tells me you can do it. You have no issue being crated while we are at work, and most times you are free/baby gated in the dining part of the kitchen and there is never any marking. I find it difficult to imagine life here without you and your morning kisses and scampering around, but I know it's what is best for you. You have been here 5 months and made great progress, but now you need to find your forever golden home so you can continue to grow and become more confident AND never have to move again.

As always, I believe there is a home for a special boy like you and here is what I see: a fenced in yard, another fur sibling, no little kids, cats are fine, someone who will continue to help you grow by pushing you to succeed, someone who will look at you and see this brave boy that has a silly and loving side and is willing to wait til you are ready to show it. There really is no way to tell someone or explain to someone what you are like. I believe someone will read about you and they will know in their heart you are the ONE. It really is just that simple. The heart always knows.

Love,
Foster Mom

	Sam in the corner without his kennel
	Sam and Big Jake

Dear Sammy,

As a mom I watched my children as they pulled themselves up on furniture and took those first steps. It was amazing, breath taking, wonderous and a little scary. Today I felt much of that with you. It was time to take you, Max 08-136 and resident Jake to the vet. Yep, 3 amigos off for the appointment. I put your halter on and left you in your kennel in the kitchen and took the other two out the door (leaving it open) and opened up the slider door on the van. Suddenly I heard you.......and then saw you. All on your own you came out to the garage and got into the van!!!! To many that would be no big deal, but to me it was HUGE!!!! Maybe it's a combination of feeling better physically on your allergy treatment, or going to work a couple times with the troops, or another vet visit or maybe even just not wanting to stay home alone. Whatever the reason, it was awesome. So off to the vet we went. I got your leash on and out you came, we all went in and rather than hide under the seating bench you layed by the kids' desk. When it was time to go into the exam room I dropped your leash and called you as we all walked into the room. You did great, with only a quick stop in the bathroom :) I wouldn't let you go under the chairs right away, but kept you near me. Eventually I got you to walk around the room without having to even tug on your leash. Finally I sat down on the floor away from the chairs and had you cuddle up to my side and even got you to let me hold you on my lap...a first!! I was so very proud of you. After the visit I took you and Max out to the fence and you stood long enough for me to get some pictures of you. It was a great feat as the road in front of the vet is busy and next to a Tom Thumb which was busy. What a brave boy you were.

The last couple days you seem to have turned a corner in so far as wanting to be out of your kennel in the family room and have laid on the dog bed chewing a bone or on the couch. I love to watch you on the couch with your Red Bird!!! You have been tossing him, rolling on him, squeaking him, and tonight when I looked around you had gone upstairs and got Red Bird and brought him down here to the computer area. There is less barking at us when we come into a room and less barking at us when we go outside and you are in the yard.

You have managed to 'escape' the deck/fenced yard area twice, due to my slowness and your quickness. Both times you simply ran around, stretching those legs, feeling the wind in your fur, the grass under your feet and the freedom of running untethered. What a sight it was, and had I not been scared to death you were going to be long gone, I would have enjoyed it so much more. But a few calls for you, the deck gate open, the slider door to the house open, and up and in you came. Perhaps you are now understanding that you really are 'free' living with us. I have seen pure joy on your face and can only hope we can keep your trust and you will continue to 'want' to stay with us.

One of the things your first foster mom told me was to 'stay in your face'.......meaning in the nicest way :) I talk to you all the time, driving in the van, watching TV, sitting in the kitchen while you are in your kennel......every chance I talk to you and use your name. I am trying to get you out at least twice a week, be it to the vet (not my choice) or to my work, or just out and interact with you as much as you will let me. I never take you anywhere without one of the pack and I never will. You will always have your safety dog with you. Just as you will need a fur brother or sister to live with.

Another first happened tonight as I was sitting in my chair and on the phone. You came up to me, let me pet you....not a quick get a touch and run, but you stood here as I petted you, rough housed with your nose and eventually looked right at you. And you stayed. Luckily I was on the phone with Jan who cares for you when I've been gone, cuz the way I carried on anyone else would have thought me crazy. She was in awe, as I was.

So another milestone, a step forward and none back!! Some days the sun shines even when it's cloudy. Today was one of those days. I'm so proud of you, SamSam, and I know Tina Peplowski, your sponsor, will be also, as well as all the people who read about you and your successes. How lucky I am to see you grow and become braver and stronger. I love you Sweet Boy, and will be here for as long as you need me.

Dear Sammy,

It's been far too long since I wrote you, and my only excuse is my trips out of town. I am so very proud of you and how well you did at Foster Mom Jan's with all the dogs. There were 5 of you; residents Charlie and Leah (former RAGOM dogs), Dora, Dexter 08-156 and you. WOW!! But you had so much fun and got to sleep with Jan when you wanted to and even went to her for some loving. Best of all you didn't pee on anything. Didn't take you but a few hours before you ate and peed on resident Jake's food bowl when you got home, though :( Oh if I could only catch you doing it, but no matter what, we take you out as soon as you are done eating and still every now and then, there it is, evidence!! While I was gone and you were home with Foster Dad, he told me you peed on his recliner and a couple other places. You can be such a dickens sometimes.

One good thing FD got you to do is come in the house almost right away and every time, so that was a great surprise and treat to come home to. The night I got home and we all went to bed, you were crazy on the bed, running, jumping, kissing, nibbling, just happy to see me. I hope to see the day when you will do that on the floor :) You still look to Dora for direction, and she is your favorite playmate with Lake the lab coming in 2nd. You and Max 08-136 play also, but he is out of commission now, so you have to settle for the roudy duo.

You are still running around the yard and barking whenever I come outside or if you see me looking out the sliding doors off the deck. Again, no clue to what the deal is with that. Today you were out for a while with Dora and Lake, then decided you were ready to come in, so I opened the sliders and walked into the hall, in you came, down the stairs to the family room and your crate down there. We now have one in the kitchen and one downstairs so you have a safe place on 2 of the floors. Lower level you are content to be on the floor about 5 or 6 feet away from me. But you will sneak up for some sniffs and pets if one of the other dogs are getting it. Just can't look at you. You have gotten better with FD and will go up and sniff his feet (brave dog) and if he's petting someone else, you will push your nose in for a little action. About the time we think it's really going well, you will bark at us when we come into a room. But if that's your time table, then that's your time table.

I wish I could get some really cute pics of you, but soon as you see the camera.....you are gone!! I always feel lucky if I get a couple of you outside. One day I'm going to get that winning shot of you when you least expect it.

The fact that I can attach a leash to your halter and get you to come out of your crate without you pooping everywhere is a big step. As is getting you in your crate in the van and having you get out and not run under the van and poop. Your last visit to the vet you got to ride home in the van and not in the crate. I think y ou were rather proud of yourself. Once the weather clears a bit more and I'm home on a regular basis we will start taking short walks and hopefully you will enjoy them enough to look forward to them when you see the leash come out.

You had gained a bit of weight and last vet visit found out you need to lose like 3 lbs. We have cut your food back and you are looking pretty svelte. Also, the fur is growing in so nicely on your hip and tail....a bit lighter on the rest of the body, but it may darken up yet. At least we aren't looking at scarred bare skin:( You are getting there.

The fenced area of the yard was a mud mire while I was gone and FD took you all for walks in the field. He said you weren't fond of it, but you got your exercise. Then you all got to play on the deck. With the last big snow fall you all have been back in the snow and having a blast. Today it is starting to melt, which means MUD MUD MUD, and no playing in the fenced area, just more walks, so that may help you learn to enjoy the walks.

You are who you are and I only hope I am doing right by you. We are gone for a long week end at the end of the month........the last trip til August I think. Hope so, as I am getting tired of being away from home and you kidz. Anyway you will be going to Foster Mom Jan's and play with Charlie and Leah. I am so very very grateful for Jan as she does so well with you and you with her. I would hate to think if I had to take you to boarding or some place new after you doing so well there.

I hope your sponsor, Tina Peplowski, can see how good you are looking and know you are making progress, albeit baby steps at times. How lucky you are to have a sponsor to have helped you out on this journey. Maybe we will be able to meet her at the picnic this year, whether it's with me or your new family. Time will tell.

Meanwhile, SamSam, we'll hang in there and know it's your pace, your plan, your time table and your life.

Love ya,
Foster Mom

Dear SamSam,

I don't know if you remember, but before you came to me, Teresa V. gave you your Red Bird. We have managed to keep it pretty safe, but eventually someone...no names....managed to chew off the legs. Well, Teresa heard about this and as the pictures show, you received a brand new Red Bird with Legs..............from Teresa. I will do my best to be sure you have your New Red Bird only when you are in the kitchen and your kennel and the other rough and roudy's kidz aren't around. I did thank Teresa for you, and I think one can tell by the pictures it made you very happy. The biggest surprise was that you took it down to the family room and were laying with it on the couch when Max 08-136 came up to check NRB (new red bird) out and you growled at him to let him know this was your Bird!!! Tough little guy you are.

Speaking of thanking people, I have decided from now on I will just do my best to thank your sponsor, Tina Peplowski each time I write to you. I know you aren't ready to take on the demanding job of writing your own updates, and I'm sure Tina understands.

Well, Sam there are some new changes coming your way and I don't think you'll be happy, but I do hope we will find some success with the regime that starts on Saturday. Your peeing in Jake's food bowl, on the cabinet, on the glass on the entertainment center, the speaker, the recliners and table have just gotten to be too much. The other night I put on your special martingale collar and tried to calm you so I could try to clip your nails (they haven't been done since before you came here Januaury 2nd). Well, it was a disaster. You bucked and carried on and did your submissive pooping, which landed on me and the greater area of the dining room in the kitchen. You continue to bark at us when you come into a room, or when I walk out to the yard when you are out there with all your foster siblings.......and you bark and carry on. It's all just become too much and I didn't know what to do anymore.

So I finally did what I always do when I hit a brick wall. I called my mentor, Konnie. Well, I must say I wasn't amused as she laughed about you peeing in Jake's bowl after he eats.........maybe if the roles were reversed, well who knows. I went through all the things you have been doing, what progress you have made: that would be laying on the couch or bed next to me, chewing my hair, licking my ears and mouth and walking all over me....literally. You only play with the other dogs in a couple places; that would be outside, on the couch, in the lower level and on my bed. You will run to get out, but getting you in is a 50/50 shot whether you will come in with the dogs or we will spend the next couple hours trying to get you in. This many times involves FD and I both in the garage, you running around with poop flying and then you diving under the van. Or we just leave you in the garage til you bark, we open the door and see if you want to come in....again it's 50/50. We had reached the point that we felt we should have made more progress with you and didn't know what to do. This is where Konnie and change come about.

You really are a feral dog. You lived with your pack and had no human contact. Your pack attacked you which is how you got to RAGOM. I saw many puppy mill traits and felt I could deal with that. And did to a point until now. As Konnie explained it to me, you took some giant steps, but forgot the baby ones. So we have to start a new start-over, do things differently. And it will be hard for all of us. You will go back to wearing your halter full time. You will have a long lead attached to your halter at all times. When you go outside you will be on a long tether. Why? Because I need to be able to reel you into me when your behavior is inappropriate; i.e., barking at us when we walk into a room; barking outside at midnight or 1 or 6 a.m. while going out to potty. I have to be able to get to you and correct you. You also will be allowed only in the dining part of the kitchen, a smaller place to make you feel safe there with your NRD and your crate. You will be allowed to come upstairs to the bedroom to sleep if you do so willingly while on lead. If not you will be only in the kitchen and outside to play. It may sound harsh, and I only wish I had discussed a strategy earlier with Konnie when the submissive pooping didn't stop and the peeing increased in the family room and poor Jakie's food bowl. So now we start over and hopefully with the new regimen you will come to trust US, not just on the couch, bed, on the toilet:) or when FD is sitting in his recliner. You must learn humans are good, only good things come from them.....when they are standing, walking or lifting you......not just when they are sitting or laying down. And so it begins, and I think having your NRB will help comfort you. We all will need a bit more patience to start over and re-adjust the schedule, but if you are to succeed, we the humans, must be strong and not stray from the schedule that will help you to get to where you can trust us. We'll be ok and so will you. We can do it!!

Love, foster mom

Sam and old red bird	A present for me?
It's red!	It is a NEW red bird with legs!
All is right with the world...

Dear SamSam,

I have decided it is up to me to be sure to thank your sponsor, Tina Peplowski, myself since you still aren't ready for contact with the outside world. FD says he doesn't think we'll ever get you to be not afraid of us, people who come to the house, the outside world etc. So that said, Baby Boy, we will just have to prove him wrong, which is one of my favorite things to do:)

It's been over a week since I wrote to you about how you are doing, and now I wish I would have written down the things that happened, the strides you made etc., as they happened. As usual I was sure I would remember, and as usual this old brain goes blank when I sit down to write. But here goes.

You love to play with Lake in your own way. I only wish I could get pictures of you when you are outside running and jumping. As soon as you see me, let alone with a camera, you stop what you are doing, start to pace and begin to bark. And your barking is an issue we are working on. My favorite scenes are when you, resident Jake, Ellie 07-384 and Lake are all out running around and taking turns at who you chase after.

The daily routine seems to be pretty much the same. Up on the bed once you know I'm awake, pets/pats/scritches and kisses. Soon as I get off the bed you go to the side of the bed, wait, and then when we head out the door you come. Down the stairs, the hall and outside to go potty. Back in, run down the hall, head for the lower level family room and wait. I feed the cats and then get your's and Jake's food ready. You go up and down the stairs waiting for the food, and sometimes even stand on the top step and peek around the corner to see if I've put your food down. Once your bowl is down I usually go sit down so you will eat. Every now and then I just stand with my back to you and you will come up and stand there, but not eat. But at least coming into the kitchen and standing is a big step.

The in and out for play and potty is the same. When I go out to pick up the gifts you all have left me, you get a little concerned and will pace, run and bark at me. I just never know what you are thinking. You have started to bark when you want to come back in. Of course it's not at the back door in the garage, it's out wherever you are standing. Once called you usually come running with Jake. Every now and then you decide to not come in, and while the weather is favorable, we allow you to stay out with the option to come into the garage til you are ready to make your entrance. That routine is the same; stand on the step into the house, look around, then make a mad dash down the hall, around the corner into the kitchen and down the stairs to the family room.

When we come home from work you will come up to the hall with Jake and when we say 'outside to potty' you run out the door about knocking poor old Jake off his feet as you always must be next to him or right behind him. I look forward to the day you can walk down the hall, out the door and calmly out to the yard. I know it's a ways off, but baby steps for you, SamSam.

You continue to go through stages of wanting to be on the couch and bed playing and interacting with me, and it's only me. Lately you have shied away. I think perhaps it migh have something to do with not having felt well with your eyes and then the fact I took you out in the world and to the vet. I had been noticing your one eye looked a bit reddish, but having the opportunity to do an up close exam of you in regard to anything is next to impossible. But one night I finally got a good look and knew it was time for the vet. Oh, that going in the van and out in public is such a traumatic experience for you. I put you in the kennel with shredded paper as I knew you'd poop, you did, then pushed the door open and hid on the floor and tried to crawl between the bench seat and the driver's side of the van. So sad. We made it to the vet, I managed to get you out of the van, and with coaxing you followed Ellie into the vet. Getting weighed was traumatic, but now we know you weigh 43 lbs, you little peanut. Once in the exam room you went right under the chairs and stayed there til it was your turn. You simply flattened your body down on the floor and let the vet and tech do what they wanted. The skin scraping of the eyes showed no mites, so we really aren't sure the issue. BUT the most AMAZING thing happened while at the vet: you took treats out of my hand. Most people would think, well ok he ate a treat out of your hand, but to do this in the place you were, stressed and yet trusting me enough to take food from my hand, I was so happy and excited as it was such a big step!! I had to call your first foster mom on the way home:) You are now on steroids and antibiotics and some eye cream, which isn't fun to try to do. The pills are easier as I put them in moist food and drop them in your breakfast. The night time doses I again put in moist food, then lay down on the couch and put my hand out, you will come up and eat it out of my hand. Of course now every time I put my hand out to invite you up on the couch you think it's food!!

No matter where I go you are brave enough to follow most times. The kitchen is the only place you don't hang around. If I'm in the kitchen and go to the basement to the computer, down you come. You plop your butt down about 6 feet away and either watch me or nap. When I go back up, up you come. The laundry room is still scary but you will go as far as the door and look in. You follow me to the bedroom, then stop and wait til I'm away from the door. There are times you will venture into the bathroom for a quick pet and you are gone. You watch everything.

You are venturing to FD's chair and sniffing his feet and elbow, go figure. When Jake is getting pets/pats you will venture close, but not close enough to be touched. Foster Dad always will say, "look he sniffed my feet, did you see him come stand close to my chair, he came into the kitchen and just stood there while I was sitting, he lets me let him outside"..................aah yes TM, Mr Grumpy is reveling in your progress too. I just keep reminding him you are our long term foster and as long as we love you, don't push too hard we will help you to understand people are good.

So my little boy, keep trying, keep carrying your little red bird around and squeaking him and the green frog. Now that you have discovered you can take bones and toys out of the toy basket, keep taking them all to behind the couch and your safe place. Jump up on the couch from behind it and land on my head and sniff and nibble, it's interaction, take the food from my hand, bound up the stairs to watch me get your food ready, play with Lake outside romping and rolling in the snow.......I'd love pictures, but for now I will keep them in my mind. You are doing awesome, SamSam, and even though we have those days where it seems you are determined to be afraid of so many things, I know the next day will be better. Baby steps, SamSam, baby steps.

Love foster mom

Sam's eyes	Sam's place in the van
A smile and warm hands	Sam at the vet: First stop... under the chair
	Sam and Ellie at the vet

I think the pictures show just how far Sammy has come!! Laying on the couch and trying to get pics with 2 wrestling dogs isn't as easy as I'd have thought!

Dear Sammy,

Wow, it's been quite the week. The progress you have made is amazing. You still do silly stuff that we don't understand, but anyone looking at these pics would see a pretty fun loving, hard playing boy. Lake seems to bring that out in you. But it only really happens on the couch, and I have to be there. Oh, well it's well worth it. If you sponsor, Tina, could see you doing your play thing she'd be so proud of you. Having Lake over every day has sure helped.

Let's see what all is new. Most times you will follow me on my heels when I say it's time to go out. Sometimes you will come running from downstairs if we are all up stairs and ready to go out. You still shoot by like a dog shot out of a cannon. You are so good about coming back in, though you come in the door, go around the van and then once the door is open, whoosh in you come. You know where your food bowl is and will come up and eat. In fact many times while I'm getting the food ready, you have to run up and down the stairs to check to make sure I'm staying on track. You are doing less grab, run, gobble and more stay and eat. When I stop petting you, you paw at me all the time and sometimes you paw at me to play. We are actually rough housing and you are staying on the couch. I can sit up on the couch or bed and you don't jump off and run. FD can get up from his recliner and you don't jump off the couch to go hide. You are so brave.

The really big news is you come into the bathroom when the other dogs do to get their pets/pats. It would seem us humans are a captive audience at certain times, this being one of them:) The fact you actually come up and get petted is amazing. Today while I was on the phone lounging in my desk chair I felt a little nudge and here it was YOU. You came for, waited and accepted a scritch!! These are such rewarding moments with you, to have you come for love when I'm sitting somewhere.

You are also venturing into the kitchen more and more while we are in there. I guess the fact that 2 or 3 other dogs are laying around or getting lovin' is showing you it's ok to come out. The other night you actually walked into the kitchen then the hall to get a drink and calmly walked back down stairs. Huge!!!

You still won't come to me for treats, but at least you are aware that the others are getting theirs and you wait down in the family room for me to throw you one. You will take them when we are on the couch, so hopefully the day will come you will be sitting next to Jake and a foster, waiting for your treat. Baby steps.

You crack me up in the mornings and at night. Night time everyone has to be in the room. Then the other dogs have to be on the bed. Once I'm in bed you come flying through the air and are this crazy playful little boy. Not sure the older dogs care for it, and I'm not so fond of you walking all over my pillows and head, but once you settle down and curl up next me it's awesome. Eventually you go to your blanket on the floor and sleep. In the morning, once you realize I'm awake and the dogs are awake, whoosh here you come again. We are to the point I can sit up a bit, but soon as my feet hit the floor, that scared little boy comes out, you waiting for us to leave the bedroom and you follow to go outside to potty. But again, baby steps.

I will keep loving you and letting you take your baby steps. But if you could let us know why the barking out of the clear, that would be good. Sometimes when you are down in the family room, you just start to bark. Sometimes it's to go out and sometimes it seems for no reason. Sometimes FD will come in to view and there you go. What a silly little boy. Barking outside at 1 am is also not cool, but then again maybe you hear the deer or I'm not calling you in fast enough. We'll deal with it.

I love you, SamSam, and I'm so proud of your progress. Foster Mom

Dear Sammy,

These pictures of you right after you came into RAGOM remind me how we humans don't really understand the pack mind set. Even after the 'damage' you trust the pack here. You try so hard to get in there and meet new dogs and figure out what to do. I only know that you are healing physically and I can only pray mentally you will come to trust your 'human pack' off the couch and bed as well. We love you, Sam Sam.

These were all taken within 24 hours of arriving at his first foster home.

Dear Sammy,

These are more pictures from your first foster mommy. Boy she got you when you were really in tough shape. Thank goodness you were saved, received medical care and found your way to RAGOM. As I look at the new pics I took, I can really see the difference. After almost a month with us and seeing you daily, we forget how bad you looked when you came in. Now we only see how handsome you are and what strides you are making.

**The bottom picture has a cord going under (not over it as it looks) his tail right in line with the spot that we worried he might lose his tail. Thank goodness, the vet in Duluth did as much stabilizing of that area as they did - it probably saved 1/2 of his tail.

Dear Sam,

I keep forgetting to tell you that you have a sponsor. Her name is Tina Peplowski and she has sent money to RAGOM to help defray the cost of your medical bills. With all the puncture wounds, tail and foot damage that required stitches and antibotics, Tina's help is more than welcomed. So we must remember to thank Tina.

I finally understand your being comfortable on the couch/bed but not while we humans are upright and walking around. Jane, RAGOM'S Founder, explained it is because you are looking for your place in the heirarchy of our pack. When you are with us on the couch/bed you feel on more even terms I guess. All I know is you got FD to lay on the couch and you went up and laid with him. You are this little crazy dog when you hit the furniture, you are bouncy, sniffing, giving kisses and comfortable with us. I look forward to the day you will feel the same on the floor with us as you do up on the furniture.

I'm sorry I had to go back to taking you out with the martingale collar and attaching a long rope again. But it did prove that you didn't like it and after a couple days of that, you have been more than willing to race outside, and if I step aside, you will come into to the garage, and then follow Jake, and now Katy 08-026, right into the house. You still run like a banshee for the down stairs, but at least you are in.

Today was a couple firsts. You actually came up and ate your breakfast while Jake ate his. You still did your grab and run and eat, but you managed to finish it. I wonder if that is how you managed to get fed before, running in and grabbing food while the pack ate? It's slow going, but hey baby steps. You will only take treats from my hand when on the couch, but in the kitchen if I roll them toward you, you have decided to go for them. Your other first today was getting a bath. I was going to take you to the vet and have them do it, let them be the bad guys, then I decided you need to understand that even though it was scary and you didn't like it, you survived. And obviously forgave me, as you joined me on the couch after the 'ordeal'.

I have enjoyed watching you empty the toy basket and haul the toys over to the side of the couch. FD said we need to get a new basket for the other side and maybe you'll learn to drop them in there:) Today watching you push the tennis ball under the blanket on the couch and dig it out was great fun. And you still crack us up when you get your red bird and toss it and then bark at it. We did discover your bird needs a little 'surgical' repair on one leg. You are starting to show your 'puppy' behavior and so we have discovered chewing on a blanket is fun, tearing up a tennis ball and eating the pieces is not good for you, and it would appear destuffing the animals is already at hand. A wee bit of counter surfing has come about, but you are doing well over all and just making sure you are watched will help us to show you what is and is NOT acceptable to chew on.

You did leave me a present this a.m. I must remember to let you out after eating, which normally I do, but for whatever reason this morning I got side tracked. I do appreciate it being a small 'present and quite firm'.........clean up was a breeze. Considering this is the first since your first day here, I can live with it.

You met your new foster sister without a problem today and already you are following her in and out the doors and running and chasing. I have a feeling it won't be long before she will have you playing tug and chasing a good game up and down and all around. Tonight will be the first test of friendship when it's time for bed and we will see if you all can find your place and be happy.

Well, it's late and it's been a busy day with the bath and Katy coming, so time to call it a night. And because you have been good in the family room and no damage done, with 3 of you guys here now, you will all get free run of the hall, kitchen, dining and family room. Guess we'll see how you and the new girl work out:)

Meanwhile, Sammy Boy, you are doing great, you are being brave going in and out of the house and garage, trying to eat same time as Jake and even slowed down on your running away. You may run and hide for about 2 seconds, then you are right back near us seeing what we are doing. I know eventually you will come closer more often. You have made that first step by venturing close enough to us while we pet Jake, to lick our hand before you run off. I think soon you will be ready to stay for an actual pet.

Keep up the great work, Buddy, and you'll soon discover how much fun life can be eating regular meals, sleeping on the human bed, or doggie bed, fresh water, freedom to run outside, balls to chase, toys to chew on and humans to love you. We'll get through this and you will live the rest of your life as a Golden Boy should. Now if only you would cooperate for pictures!!

Love foster mom