11/21/05: Let me introduce you to one of the most amazing 6 year old Goldens that I have ever met. He is scheduled to be neutered on 11/29/05…shhh, don't tell him - he likes everything just the way it is.

Sammy was rescued from an abusive situation. When he was rescued he had 2 lumps on his head from being hit. Once he was beaten so badly he couldn't pick his head up off the ground. He lived life outside on chain 24/7 and was malnourished and dehydrated. The good Samaritan family that rescued him took him to be professionally groomed - the groomer had to shave him completely because he was in such bad shape, and his nails were curled under into his paws. At the time of his rescue, he weighed only 62 lbs and the good Samaritan could fit her hands around his stomach and touch her fingers together. Sammy doesn't bark because he was beaten for barking, so he howls if he needs something. I haven't heard him howl yet.

We have chosen one name to represent all the good Samaritans that helped Sammy find out what love is all about, and this is Sammy's letter to them.

Dear Payton:

If it wasn't for you, I would have died never knowing what love is. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have known that a hand can offer love instead of hatred. I was so afraid and alone - I never knew why he had to hurt me, because I'm a loyal Golden. I thought I could make him love me and stop hurting me. Fortunately for me, you knew that it wasn't love and you rescued me.

Never forget me because I will never forget you. I swear this to you and everyone who I meet, with tears in my eyes and love in my heart, I will live my life to the fullest for all the dogs who wait to be rescued from the same situation I was in. I will carry my head high and always wag my tail because I know deep down that one day all dogs will know the kindness of humans.

I carry my blanket around to remind me of you. I love you and I can never repay you or put into words what your kindness has meant to me. Because of you, I now know what love is. All the cold lonely nights, I lay there dreaming of what life should be and you made those dreams come true. A big piece of my heart will always belong to you.

P.S. I miss my Sponge Bob Square Pants slippers.

Love and Kisses….Sammy Sosa…Soooo amazing.

Sammy and I had a talk the other day and he whispered in my ear and told me about the family he dreams of. Sammy loves children and would love to have a little one to call his own. Another dog in the family for him to hang out with would be wonderful, too. Sammy and I aren't sure about a home with cats right now, but we will let you know more later on that.

Sammy is an amazing Golden. For a guy who came from such a horrible situation, you would never know it. Sammy can be head shy, but I know with time he will overcome this - he has already overcome so much. He's a social butterfly (he could be the Wal-Mart greeter), loves other dogs, LOVES kids…he follows my son around from room to room. Sammy has the biggest heart ever and he is such a cuddle bunny. Sammy loves to cuddle on the couch with you and loves to share the bed with you, so if you have rules against this, he's not the boy for you.

Right now we are continuing to work with Sammy gaining weight. You can still see his ribs, shoulder blades and hip bones. We are feeding him puppy food along with a high quality food and canned food. If there is one thing I know, that is how to fatten up a Golden. If Sammy gets excited after eating he sometimes throws up a little, but I think he is still adjusting to my home. Sammy loves (I know I say love a lot but there is no other way to say it) carrying things around. Right now he will pick up my slippers and carry them around and he gets so excited he makes a little crying sound. Yes, it's true this guy does carry his blanket around. We can't have stuffed animal toys in our house because my Oakley destroys them in minutes, but I know Sammy would love stuffed animal toys in his forever home. He's so happy carrying things around.

Sammy is so funny in the morning - when the alarm goes off he cuddles in closer and then starts to snore. So if you have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning and need a reason to hit snooze, then Sammy is the perfect dog for you. I swear each morning he just looks at me and says "5 more minutes?". I have never met a dog who loves to cuddle more than Sammy - he just buries his head into you. At night he is happiest right next to you and as long as he is touching you, he is in heaven. Sammy likes to be spooned in bed and just loves to be held and petted as he drifts off to dream about all his new adventures.

Sammy is in love with my Amber and he follows her around all the time. Because he isn't neutered yet, he has attempted to have a little fun with Amber. Amber is a lady and she is not falling for any cheap pick up lines from Sammy. Amber tells Sammy by barking at him a couple times that he is being inappropriate and he just backs away.

You should see Sammy running around and playing - it's like watching a kid for the first time. He's really fast and can out run my gang of Goldens. Sammy would be a great dog to take to the dog park. The family who had him for a month before he came to RAGOM said that they did not have a fenced yard and he always stuck around.

If you think you're the right family for Sammy, please email Placementragom [dot] org and let them know. I want the best for Sammy and he deserves it.