8/25/06: Sweet Samuel is a wonderful 5 year old boy and a very nice houseguest. He is excited at the thought of finding his forever family.

Sam is very considerate with our two cats and even allows them to sniff at his food bowl. Sam had the opportunity to hang out with two black Poodles recently and was even understanding when one Poodle nipped him in his furry butt. He just walked away and laid down on his doggie bed to keep an eye on them.

Sam loves lots of head pets ~ especially if I sit down at the computer (so I'm typing with one hand). He loves to catch the Frisbee and small football, but has a little trouble giving them up. We've learned the only way to get him to "drop it" is to sit down on the bottom step of the porch and be at his eye level. Sam's favorite toy is his rubber football, but it could be because that's almost the only toy left (he chewed up a cloth squirrel, duck and koala bear). He also chewed off the corners of a couple throw pillows, but it could've been that he didn't like my color scheme :) He likes to walk on leash and although he hasn't mastered the whole "heel" thing yet, he's getting better on every walk.

Sam had an initial check-up at the vet and his stool sample was good. He takes antibiotics for a bacterial infection that left him with a couple sparse hair spots on his back. We're working on giving him the two shampoos a week that the vet prescribed. Samuel is a nice 79 pounds; the vet said that his ideal weight would be 75 and he'll probably slim down with a consistent exercise routine. He has a follow-up appointment next week.

Sam doesn't get on furniture ~ except once during a recent storm. After a HUGE crack of thunder, he plopped right up on my son's bed and stuck his nose under a pillow - poor guy! He's never had an accident in the house and goes to the door when he wants to go out. He doesn't guard his food, but is a little too anxious taking treats so we're working on the "sit" before he gets a reward.

Sam adores our resident 13 year old (real boy) and could spend all of the day following him around. It could be the fact that he always has food in his hands but I think he just likes him. Sam rides nicely in the car and just sleeps in the backseat.

Sweet Samuel will be the perfect dog for some lucky family (sorry about the shiny eyes in the picture ? I?ll take more this weekend and not use the flash!).