Sam

Sam was here to visit....  for the past two weeks my parents have been in town and Sam is traveling with them.  He is a three year old Yellow Lab and I got him when he was only 10 weeks old.  It was a tough decision picking the best male from his litter - they were all so sweet and good natured.  In the end it came down to markings - Sam had white toes on his back feet and to me that was precious.  I vividly remember the ride home:  I was in the back seat with Sam... this little sleeping bundle of fur, and I was so nervous.  I had never raised a dog from a puppy and I did not know if I would be a good "parent", but little did I know that being a good puppy parent takes so much more than I had anticipated with Labrador Retrievers.  I had been warned that they stay puppies until ages 3 to 5, but no one told me what little devils they are in the first year!  My goodness!  Sam was a handful to be sure....  and I had no idea how much time should be devoted to them in the first eight months when they do not have a full size bladder yet!  The rule of thumb is an hour for each month of age... so if your puppy is three months old, they need to be taken out every three hours.  How in the world do people who don't work at home raise puppies?  Furthermore, how do they bond with their dog if they are not there to be with them when the puppy is learning about the world? 

Anyway, Sam was a handful and from what I understand, still is to a certain degree.  I had to let him go when I met my fiance and moved in last year.  He has an older dog, Daisy, and she does not get along with Sam.  It was heartbreaking giving him up...  he was my companion and since I will probably have no children of my own, he was my baby.  Fortunately, my parents were close to retiring and had plans to travel the country in their RV and agreed to adopt Sam as their own and take him with them.  They loved Sam and didn't want to see him go to some stranger... and I am so grateful for that.  They've been traveling now for four months and Sam is loving it!  They were here for the last two weeks and it was wonderful and bittersweet seeing Sam.  I got to take him swimming and throw the ball for him;  two of his absolute favorite things in the world!  But, it was just so good to see his sweet face.  I sure do miss him....  hopefully, someday I might be able to take him back.