My Name Is Sam

[Erica]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I see that I was able to get some newer folks to read this too. Welcome to the forum by the way! I feel as if I have suceeded in a small way of getting the information passed on!

[Leon]

I featured it in today's newsletter as well Thanks for the story Erica

[Erica]

Leon,
Thanks so much for posting this in the newsletter today. I really appreciate your help in getting the word out and educating people on this matter!!!

[SnuggleKeeper]

My heart is broken. I don't know which is worse, picking up pups or kittens, or the grown counterparts off the street and into my home, knowing that there is a short life (one shortened because of the streets) or knowing this information.

My name is Sam, still crying over. Personalizing the various cats and dogs (various stages) might well do to get them adopted though. Rather than puppies or kitten doe, a name. Precious-Max what ever just to alert the public this matters to them the pups and kittys.

[haileys_rose]

OMG did this story make me bawl like a 2 year old! my family has taken in 8 animals, we are now down to 5, and about to lose 2 more in the next year due to health issues, BUT anyways, that story reminded me of my ()#($&# aunt, she has had this one dog since he was 4 weeks old, now at the age of 15 she decided she didnt' want him anymore, she told us if we didn't take him she was putting him to sleep, we took him and are spoiling him rotton, she NEVER took him to the vet, and only clipped his nails IF he was lucky every 6-10 months, needless to say when we got him his nails were almost 2 inches long and starting to curl under his paw pads, he is going blind, and losing his rear legs, but untill he lets us know he can't handle it anymore we plan on keeping him alive and spoiled rotton! I will NEVER I repeat NEVER buy a dog or pet from a breeder ONLY from a shelter, people who can't keep a animal till it dies or has to be put down due to health reasons have NO business having ANY kind of animal, they have to keep regular vet visits, AND get their pets teeth cleaned at least once a year, and YES they can get the same tooth troubles people can, to all of us pet lovers, give yourselfs a big hand! (and go kiss your pets) lol

[GENSTRONG]

I've had two cocker spaniels, both named Sam.

I had to put the first one down after 13 years - stayed with him as he was sent on to doggy heaven.

Two months later, went to Humane Society and found a carbon copy of the first Sam. He's now been with me nearly 9 years.

I just cannot imagine my life without my Sam. He's the love of my life!

Thanks for the story - it's so sad that we cannot save 'em all.

[Jessie]

A very good and informative article. Made me cry.

Jessie

[Erica]

I just wanted to share with the rest of my friends the wonderful personal message I received tonight from our newest member. I also want to publicly thank her for spreading the word on this matter. Once you read this you will see she is a hero herself for many animals.

Denise...I truly hope you are not upset that I posted this for everyone to see. I just wanted to make my gratitude to you public. I sincerely hope that you continue to post in our "family" here. I'm sure you have lots of stories to share and advice to give!
A BIG WELCOME TO THE FORUM TO YOU!!!

****Here is the message*****

Thank you so much for posting that. I copied it and emailed it to literally every name in my mailbox. I am a rescuer that currently has about 40 adult cats and 17 kittens. Some days I get so frustrated, some days I'm so tired, but then I remember that I saved every one of these little lives, plus countless other fosters over the last few years, and that makes it all worthwhile.

The kittens are all fosters, most are going to PetSmart to be adopted out, but a couple are "special needs" and may be with me a long time. About half of my adults are either fosters or ferals I'm "humanizing" -- so far my success rate with ferals is right at 100%, I've only got one guy named Piper that still, after a year, won't let me near him. If I could just get him upstairs in my bedroom though, so he would be tempted to sleep with me, I'd get him too.

I constantly preach the merits of spay and neuter. I've participated in TNR programs, I've given out HUNDREDS of business cards for my vet, who offers low-cost spay-neuter -- even lower than the local animal shelter. I do it all because the thought that even one animal feels unwanted and unloved breaks my heart!

Thanks again, if only one person reads that email and gets their animal spayed or neutered, or changes their mind about taking it to the shelter or abandoning it on a dark back road, then it's worth all the tears we all shed and more. Don't hesitate to post something because it moves you -- sometimes that's what we all need.

Denise (Carolinadancer)

[mom2bichons]

Denise you are a total hero. I stand in awe of you! Thank you so very much for having the biggest heart to show these furry children the kindness and love that you do!

THANK YOU!!!!

[mom2bichons]

Erica,

Thank you again for pointing this growing epidemic out to all of us. You really have opened a lot of eyes, and helped all of us appreciate all rescuers do! You all who rescue are absolute heros! Thank you.