Sam is now eighteen months old and we’ve had him for fourteen months. How time flies eh???
As many of you will know, we got Sam from the rescue and he and his siblings had been bred for one purpose, to be torn apart by pit bulls in training.
In four short months, Sam had been badly beaten, terrorized and starved. He had never worn a collar or been for a walk. He had never had a toy and the first toy I gave him snapped all his baby teeth, as a lack of nutrition had weakened his teeth and bones and stunted his growth.
For the first six months, Sam was terrified of all men, and the big wide world scared him to death. Everywhere there were strange and terrifying things, like bikes, prams, traffic lights, cars, scooters, railway crossings……
The only thing he totally loved was his little puppy friend Annie, who came from the rescue three weeks after him.
For the first few months, Sam was very hard to stroke. He would jump up on us and then run away. He always sat with Annie and tended to avoid sitting next to us….
Gradually, ever so gradually, we began to notice that Sam was developing a personality. He forgot his fear of men and suddenly was always there, in our faces, sitting on our knees or sitting next to us insisting on strokes. Suddenly it was blatantly obvious that Sam was happy and that Sam absolutely loved his life, from the minute he got up to the minute he went to sleep.
Everything is such fun for him. He gets up and dances about for his food. Then he hunts out his toys and has a crazy playing session with Annie. Then it’s the gallop in the garden, a nap, more playing, more food…a walk…..all of which he throws himself into with HUGE enthusiasm!!!!
Now I know how happy Sam is. But….it’s beginning to dawn on me that Sam is seriously GOOFY!!! And never having had a goofy dog before I’m finding it all rather odd. He has the strangest habits. Lights fascinate him and he will stand up on the breakfast bar staring at a reflection for ages….wagging his tail the whole time. He also dances about chasing sparks from the chiminea, snowflakes, hail, and even blowing sand, furiously wagging his tail the whole time.
He creeps into the greenhouse to steal and eat the eggshells, he will also eat anything…..even oranges and onions are food as far as he’s concerned. He runs amok with a huge rock in his mouth and throws it wildly into the air! He pokes his head into every hole I dig, or digs a new one next to mine. He loves to bite the water as it’s being poured from the watering can…..and he’s totally obsessed with bath water.
He’s clumsy and awkward and thinks he’s tiny. He can’t lie down, he has to throw himself, dramatically at the floor. And he’s ALWAYS smiling! And….all we can hear is his tall thump thump thumping on the couch or on the floor.
Everywhere I go he goes too….poking his great goofy head into things that DON’T concern him. He lollops, frolics and bounces about crashing into things and knocking things over. All day long I’m yelling….no Sam no. Move Sam move. Down Sam down….which he ignores most of the time.
It’s amazing how a personality can creep out so gradually that no-one, not even Sam, noticed, until goofiness, in all it’s silly, ridiculous splendour was staring us all in the face.
So here’s to Sam……the goofy menace!
What a fabulous post and three big cheers for goofy Sam and for your love of him and Annie. You have proved the point that through love and compassion the biggest obstacles can be overcome:). An uplifting post – one of hope and love:)xxxxxxxx
Ahhhhh, thank Janet. Strangely enough, my post is very similar to your last one. Here’s to love and compassion…..xxxxx
This is a great story. The owners of trophy dogs should all be shot with the dogs, piled up and burned. It’s not draconian, just my way of getting shut of a problem before moving on to the next.
I love happy animals. Goofy….not sure. he’s just being himself. Like Mandarijn aka Fuggit, we always know when she’s a had a pooh, she flies through the cat flap and has a mad 5 minutes, skidding sideways on the wooden floor crashing into the cabinet doors, legs skidding like they do in cartoons before she gets a bit of traction, spilling her water as she races past her food & drink mat. Not Goofy, just happy and natural.
Lovely post Dina x
Gosh, I think that’s the longest, and nicest comment you’ve ever left…I’m most honoured….and, as always….smiling. xxxxx
It breaks my heart to know that there is such cruelty against a precious animal. But what a beautiful story of what love and care can do!! He’s such a beautiful dog.
It is horrible how some people can treat an animal. I’m always amazed how dogs will still trust and love even after such awful abuse. Thanks Susanne.xxxxx
Aw, I’m so pleased that he’s settled in. I bet he has some of the best owners ever!!
‘Lights fascinate him and he will stand up on the breakfast bar staring at a reflection for ages’- that made me laugh a lot!! Haha, so cute ;’) x
Thanks Jasper…..I have my owners well trained now, they learn slowly but I suppose you have to accept that they’re not as bright as us dogs. Sam x
This is such a touching story. Sam is so lovable and you must be so pleased that he’s overcome so many of his inhibitions because of the awful cruelty he’s experienced and is now able to trust and be his happy, goofy self.
Thanks Linda, and for visiting. I love to see him goofing about….and losing all his old fears. It’s so sad that any animal has to suffer needless cruelty.xxxxx
I am horrified to think that dogs are bred to be torn apart by pit bulls. What a disgusting practice. Shame on them. I’m very pleased to hear that Sam escaped such a brutal death and is now a happy if goofy pooch.
It is utterly disgusting, I agree. There are those who have no compassion at all for living creatures and actually enjoy barbaric practices.
Yes, I’m glad Sam didn’t go the way his siblings did, he was the last pup waiting to be sold. Thanks Dessie.xxxxx
We have Howie, who came to us from a foster family, who’d rescued him after a local shelter had deemed him unadoptable. He got scared real easy, and that led to him peeing in places he shouldn’t. Within 6 months of being with us, he had totally come out of his shell. I’ve never met a sweeter soul anywhere, human or animal, and watching him blossom at 10 has been one of the best thing we’ve ever done. He’s even learning to play… at 10 years old.
Awwwww, how wonderful that you have taken Howie in and with a lot of tlc later you now have a sweet loving dog. I’m delighted to hear it! It’s fantastic that he is playing at ten, I hope he plays for many years to come.It’s amazing how rescue dogs appreciate life so much, and despite their sad former lives learn to trust and love again. You’re an angel.xxxxx
I loved reading this blog. It always brings a smile to my face when I read about amazing people that have rescued an animal and given it a loving home to feel safe in.
Sam obviously feels safe and secure with you and is showing that through his affection toward you and his ability to act goofy rather than a need to be assertive all the time – I cannot tell you how good that is to hear. You have done an amazing job.
I’m popping over from The Good Life where you are blog of the month and I will be following you and visiting much more 🙂
Awww, thanks so much Linda, and thanks for visiting. I’ve popped across to you and had an unexpected treat.
Goodness, I’m extremely honoured!!! And surprised….I’ll go and have a peek!!!
I hadn’t thought about Sam being goofy because he feels safe, a lovely thought to dwell on!xxxxx
You’ll wonder where the goof has gone when Sam is about three years old. He’s having an extended puppy-hood while growing into his body and limbs. Does Annie goof around like a tom-boy with him, or is she more lady-like ?
x
Awwwww….I hope he keeps his goof for longer than that! Lol
Annie is the typical border collie, intelligent and impossible to wear out. Her specialties are herding Sam and depriving him of every toy he picks up. And of course she out wits his every move!xxxxx
Are you sure that Sam is not a Springer Spaniel in disguise. I have had many rescued Springers and without exception they were doolally. My little dog, Ben, is a Springer cross, who thinks he is a Meerkat , and likes nothing more than sitting on the sofa watching TV waiting for an animal to bark at, asking it to come and play. A rescue dog seems to love in a bis and special way, once they have got their confidence back.
Hahahaha….maybe he is!!!Little Ben sounds adorable, if he thinks he’s a meerkat you sure have your hands full.
How lovely that you rescue the Springer Spaniels. I couldn’t agree more about how loving rescue dogs are, they appreciate life so much.xxxxx
Haha he is so happy! I wish ANYTHING could make me as happy as discovering an old rotten apple in the garden makes Sam! xx
Lol….he is funny running around tossing apples in the air isn’t he…..xxxxx
I read about Sam previously on your bog, but this post really touched me. And I so appreciate what you have done. This story gives me hope for the world… even though I know that there are a lot of other stories out there… more than we could count or tell. I think the goofiness might be an after effect of the terrible beginning he had in this world. It could be that he finally realized that he is free, and now he’s checking out just what that might entail. He might go through other stages, and show other personalities. I am so happy for him.
Awwww…thanks Shimon. Yes, there are so many wonderful stories out there that are often swamped by the negative ones. It’s funny with Sam, when we came back from travelling I asked the rescue if I could re-home the next young dog that came in which happened to be Sam, the very next day. The manner of his rescue meant that he couldn’t be advertised or shown to anyone so he could have ended up in the rescue for a long time waiting to be re-homed. Maybe I was meant to have him.Things move in mysterious ways at times.
What a lovely thought, that Sam realizes he’s free, I hadn’t thought of that. Whatever he wants to be is just fine by me, he’s earned the right!xxxxx
From an such an awful start to a heart warming life for a lucky (if Goofy) doggie. I had tears of sadness also at the start of your post which turned into tears of joy by the end. You can just see how happy and content he his. Big hug from me for bringing love into his life. Suzy x
Awwwww….thanks Suzy. he is a lovely lad, and it’s great to see him happy.xxxxx
Well, this made me cry, but so happily, to read such a beautiful testament to the ways love transforms us and calls forth to be fully who we’ve come to be. I send smooches and hugs to precious Sam and his family. He sounds like a real source of light and joy! Thank you for sharing his wonderful story!
Awwwww….I’m glad they were happy tears Kitty. I love the fact that Sam is now finally the dog he was always meant to be…I imagine he will become even goofier and deeply dippy as he ages. Good on him!
It’s hard not to be happy in Sam’s company! xxxxx
This post has brought tears to my eyes. I don’t know how you can stand hearing how all the animals you care for come to be in the rescue, I’d be a blubbering wreck. Thank goodness for people like you, and it looks like you’re being rewarded now that Sam’s personality is shining through. His smile can be seen in those photos.
Ahhhh…thanks Jo. To tell you the truth I never get used to the abuse that the rescue animals have suffered…..but it’s just wonderful to have them in our care knowing that the present and future will be different and that they are no longer in the hands of the abusers.
Sam is such a funny dog, he has us smiling as much as he does!xxxxx
I loved this post too, and especially that first picture! I laughed at Sam’s antics.
I’ve known a few goofy pets, and indeed people, who were slightly annoying but thankfully always rather endearing as well. xx
Lol…thanks Flighty. How beautifully you sum goofiness up! That’s him in a nutshell!!! xxxxx
Oh, I loved this post! What a heartening story of recovery …to goofiness! Sam, you lucky dog, you. He looks so huggable — I hope he enjoys them. Because if we ever meet, he’s going to be hugged to death.
Lol…thanks Nikki. Sam lad LOVES hugs….he would love to meet you I’m sure and accept all those hugs in person! I give him a few for you!!!!xxxxx
KISSES TOO!!!
Hahahahahahaha…..I’ll give him lots!xxxxx
Awww! Bless his cotton socks – he’s turned into a lovely pooch – just shows what a bit of love and attention can do.
Thanks Elaine, he is adorable….in a goofy way you understand!!!! It is amazing how a little tlc can turn an abused animal into a happy wooftster!!!xxxxx
What a wonderful story! Sam is such a gorgeous dog. It’s lovely to read that you’re giving him a fantastic home after that appalling start. He’s goofy in such a sweet way; he’s clearly enjoying life now.
Thanks Wendy, he is a lovely boy, so gentle and trusting albeit it in a totally goofy way!!!!
It’s funny but dogs that have been abused tend to enjoy the little luxuries that much more than well cared for dogs. Sam will eat anything, he remembers being hungry, Annie is the complete opposite. We got her at ten weeks and she is a fussy little madam who couldn’t care less about food.All she wants to do is play and run.xxxxx
What a lovely story. So great that you’ve been able to transform that dogs life.
Thanks Annie. I have as much fun with him as he has with me! Hopefully we’ll have him for years to come! xxxxx
That must have been hard work at times, but oh so worth it. What a lovely dog, and so good to see him happy!
Thanks Rusty duck, it is wonderful to see the lummox develop such a personality. The weird thing now is his licking. He never licked when he was younger, maybe he’s having a second puppyhood!
He is such a gentle dos, he love everyone and all dogs. He’s even good with tiny puppies but many owners worry about letting their dogs near him as he’s such a big lad.xxxxx
What a wonderful post, the way that love and care can bring an animal out of fear into joy of living – brilliant stuff – true of humans too!
Thanks Gilly, it is wonderful to be able to undo the damage inflicted by another person, somehow it readresses the balance. Yes, it’s also true of humans, they like animals also suffer horrific abuse.xxxxx
What a absolutely gorgeous post! Quite amazing how one is rewarded for ‘Care/Affection’…….especially by dogs….Wonderful post D! Certainly triggered memories of our superb alsatian we had some years ago! She became like another member of the family….;) Thanks for this! Hugs! :)xx
Awwww….thanks Bushka. Yes, slowly but surely animals will trust again, sometimes it’s an uphill battle but always so rewarding as you say.
Ahhhhh, I didn’t know you had an alsation. They are such loyal dogs, I’d love to see a pic of yours.xxxxx