Sam 07-690 [1]

Sponsored by:

Tina Peplowski

July 15, 2012

Right before Christmas of 2007 a new boy was brought into RAGOM. He had been living life with a pack of dogs who ended up turning on him. He was hurt badly, multiple bite wounds, a badly injured foot and his tail was so badly injured it didn't look good. Thanks to a wonderful vet in Duluth Sam kept his tail and made his way to the metro. Thanks to great tranport people he made it to his first foster mom. Here it was winter and she found herself with a dog that was scared of everything and every human. Even with her great pack, Sam couldn't feel safe. His foster mom kept him and did all she could for him until I could get down and get him. I was not prepared for what I saw and the dog I met.

Sam in 2007

I had Sam for over 6 months. I went back and reread all of the 'letters to Sam' that I wrote. WOW, it was a trying time for me and for Sam. He made great strides, one step forward and some times two steps back. I fostered other dogs while Sam was here and he bonded with them as that was what he knew, other dogs. Slowly he gave me some trust, and showed me a different side to him once he became comfortable enough to get on the couch and bed with me. He was this puppy full of life, kisses and a way that made me want to save him and see him live the Golden life.

After awhile I felt I had reached a plateau with Sam, that nothing I did was helping him to move forward. I was having some health issues and finally I knew Sam and my other foster, Jake, had to move on. A fellow volunteer offered to take both of them. So I gathered their paper work, Sam's Red Bird and loaded up the old 'doggie mobile'. It was one of the saddest days of my life, I felt like a failure and wasn't sure I would ever foster again. Leaving Sam behind in a new enviroment, a new foster mom, new home......I cried all the way home.

I watched Sam's updates, talked to his foster mom, Jake got adopted, my health got better and I fostered again. His new foster mom had her own dogs, she always had fosters and in time Sam became one of her pack. He still had his quirks, but he stopped pooping every time he was frightened, he quit barking for no reason, he went in and out the door to the fenced yard without issue. He grew and became more confident and learned to trust people more and more. He still was Sam and still had his quirks, but he found peace.

Forward to July 2012 and due to circumstances and not him, Sam came back to RAGOM and to me. I already had 2 fosters, but I couldn't say no to Sam and I'm so grateful to have this time with him. Faith 12-075 has her crate where Sam's used to be. As soon as he came in from the outside he went into that crate, just like he remembered that was where his crate was when he was with us. Did he? Of course it had to happen. Sam was in the crate and Faith decided she wanted in her crate for a nap. Too funny. I don't know, but he's a different boy. He goes in and out with the pack, and he barks to let us know he wants out or in:) I started off by hand feeding him for a few days. Then I put his food dish in the crate with him, and today I moved the bowl to outside of his crate. Some things don't change, like how he still gobbles his food, as if one of the pack may come and take it away. He's still a bit skiddish, and when you are standing or walking he stays clear or runs away. If you are sitting he will come for pets. He pretty much follows the pack that follows me. When letting him and out you still have to take a step back for him to feel safe going in/out.

I took Sam and Laker 12-200 on a walk the other day. I talked to them both as we walked, encouraging them to keep going. We did fine til we were walking past a neighbor's house and his underground sprinklers were on. One of them would spray the mail box and make a noise. We happened to be walking by as the water hit the box and poor Sam ducked and crouched down. I just soothed him a minute and kept walking and he came along willingly. We made the 1/4 mile walk and we all 3 were tired. Sam was glad to be back in the fenced yard.

We have made the vet run and he is up to date on everything, has a yeast infection in one ear and bacterial in the other, took care of the worms and his skin is looking better. He is older, grayer and over weight, so he came to the place where he will be understood. He needs to drop at least 15 lbs which will be a challenge as I'm not real good about helping anyone lose weight:)

OK... guess I could lose a couple pounds

First night here I let him upstairs in the bedroom and we did the in and out dance. He came in the bedroom and as I walked to close the door, he ran out. So I got on the bed, and he came in and jumped right up. I closed the door and figured soon as I got back into bed he'd run. Nope, he came over and cuddled up next to me and gave me licks and a look that said, I really like people when they are on my level. Will it ever change, his not being comfortable with you approaching him or him approaching you while you are standing? Probably not, but never say never. As long as he is willing to go out and come in, barks to let me know he has to go out and come in, doesn't have any accidents, is willing to eat and go for walks, hey I'm good with that.

He needs a fenced yard and another 'normal' dog to follow around. He needs a pack as it were. He has lived with dogs all his life, and even after his original feral pack turned on him, he still feels that safety and kinship with them. He is sweet, quiet, follows me and the dogs usually, unless I say we're going out to potty and he doesn't have to go, he'll just hang back. His 2 favorite places are one of the crates upstairs or the doggie basket bed in the family room. He'll come to the lower level when I come down to go on the computer and find a place, be it on the couch, under the desk or just laying out on the floor watching the other dogs wrestle and rough house. I can walk over to his basked and get down and pet him and he's fine, same in with him in his crate. We all need a safe place and these are Sam's.

What Sam needs:

• A fenced yard
• Another socialized dog
• A family that will understand his quirks and just lets him be Sam
• An understanding that he is a flight risk in the sense if he gets out, getting him back is difficult.
• Help him to lose weight

Sam is Sam, he made great strides in his home, yet coming here he has made himself comfortable and seems to fit right in. He loves to go out in the yard or on the deck and hang with the gang. He doesn't like it when the other dogs go outside of the fenced yard to go to the field for their runs, and paces waiting for them to come back. Faith ran into him the other day and he gave her what for and she slinked away with hackles up, so he's not afraid to let the pack know when he's not happy with them. But he is not player or fighter, but just a sweet boy who would like to find that furever home and just be loved and accepted.

Faith, Sam and Laker
Laker and Sam giving chase

If you are an approved applicant and think Sam might fit in with your family and crew, let your placement advisor know. Once you meet Sam you fall in love.

Foster Mom and the crew:

Jax
Cousin DD
Faith 12-075
Laker 12-200
and
Sam 07-690