Happy Tail: Sam
Sunday, February 10, 2008
By: Kristine Coblitz

First-Time "Parents!"

Anyone who knows me will tell you I’m a huge dog lover. I have framed pictures of our dog, Sam, in almost every room of our home. I buy him treats and souvenirs when we’re away on vacation. He even has his own blanket and spot on the couch.

But I wasn’t always that way.

After I married my husband, Chad, in May 2001 and we bought our first home, he started dropping hints about getting a dog, and I met those hints with trepidation. A dog? How in the world would I take care of a dog? What will it do to our home? Visions of chewed up furniture and endless emergency visits to the vet ran through my mind.

I finally relented six months later, and the weekend before Christmas we went to Animal Friends. Our future dog (named Yuma at the time), a black lab mix averaging 55 pounds with long, muscular legs and a broad chest, was featured as the dog of the week. He was playful and loving, but his large size intimidated me. I had feeling from our first meeting that he was going to be a handful, and I doubted my ability to care for him.

My husband and I discussed it that night, and the next morning, we returned to Animal Friends. Our adoption counselor provided a great deal of advice about introducing Yuma to our home, and asked us to report back if it seemed like, after three months, Yuma wasn’t a good fit for us.

Needless to say, we didn’t need three months to decide. His endearing qualities won us over immediately. We changed Yuma’s name to Sam, and he’s been an important part of our family ever since.

Sam will celebrate his seventh birthday this summer. He loves Jerky Treats, showing his affection with sloppy kisses, napping in the sun, frolicking in the snow, and playing with his favorite toy, a plastic hot dog. He’s been a wonderful addition to our home, and he’s taught my husband and me a lot about being parents.

Life with Sam hasn’t always been easy, and he’s tested our resolve with separation anxiety issues, such as the time he ripped the comforter on the bed, the occasional accidents on the floor, and even the incident when he shredded the carpet in a spare bedroom down to the floorboard with his paws, hurting himself and covering the entire room with wood chips and blood. He tested our emotional stamina when he had to undergo two surgeries in one year to remove lumps on his tail and leg, and we felt helpless about how to comfort him. 

But we didn’t give up on Sam, and he never once gave up on us as new parents. After some home training and obedience classes, we learned how to anticipate and deal with the unexpected surprises that come with living with an active, enthusiastic pet. Sam still has the occasional setback, but he’s come a long way. I guess we both have.

Living with Sam has changed me in surprising ways. He’s taught me compassion and patience. He’s taught me that it’s possible to love an animal unconditionally and receive that love back tenfold. He’s taught me the importance of having fun and the benefits of an invigorating nap on a long Sunday afternoon.

As a home-based freelance writer, I’ve grown accustomed to having Sam around to keep me company all day. He warms my feet when I’m at the computer, and our playtimes are the perfect remedies for combating stress. If only I could teach him how to refill my cup of tea while I’m writing. We’ll have to work on that one.