Sammie

Updated 6/3/11

Hi everyone….

Life has been so busy and interesting that I just haven’t had time to sit down at the computer and dash off an update! However, here it is at last.

Let’s see, what’s new?

First of all, I did have surgery a month or so ago. A big lump popped up on my lip. The vet and my foster parents seemed worried, but I wasn’t.   #1, I have supreme self-confidence and optimism and a good attitude, which as we all know is everything and will get you through anything. And #2, they said something about tightening up my skin to cover the area where the lump would be cut out. In other words, a face lift! Now, I’m not vain, but anyone of my age can use a little lifting and smoothing in the facial area, so this sounded like a super plan to me.

And it all worked out great! Here you see my new smooth lip post-op. Plus,  everyone was really pleased with the histopathology report, which identified my lump as… let me just get my reading glasses… hmmm…. “ multiple ruptured and inflamed, ulcerated follicular cysts… follicular infundibular  cysts originate from the follicular infundibulum and contain keratin of the type found  in the follicular ostium and the epidermis… rupture will provoke secondary inflammation and sudden enlargement… complete excision is curative.” Had to drag out my medical dictionary to really figure that all out, but basically it’s sort of like I had an ingrown hair that went competely crazy. Now that it’s all gone (that’s the “complete excision” part) I am A-OK. In fact, I insisted on holding my leash in my mouth when the stitches came out (everyone says I have jaws of steel), just to stress the point that I was only stopping in for a quick visit and would soon be out the door again.

In other good news… swim season is here again! How exciting is that? I love to swim in any weather and now that it’s warm and sunny nobody is trying to keep me out of the pool. Those barricades of lawn chairs, etc. that my foster folks put up in the winter really did challenge a dog’s ingenuity.

Well, that’s what’s new with me! Other things are the same: I am looking slim and trim at 67 pounds. I still have bad arthritis and can’t do stairs, of course, but I do like to go out and about on short walks. I need a family who appreciates all the life that a mature dog has to offer; who has a pool for me to swim in (perfect for my old joints); and who wants a lively companion with personality plus!

Updated 2/22/11

Sammie is doing great. She has lost 10 pounds! The last time I took her to the vet they said she could lose just three more, so we will try for that.
 
We are looking forward to her 12th birthday on April 1, 2011. She is on Dogster and all of our pals make a big deal about it on there :o).

Today she was going for her mini-walk on Lakeway Blvd and a couple was walking by. The gentleman stooped down to pet her and was making a big fuss over her and she grabbed the scarf he was holding in his hand and hung on for dear life. She was sure he was giving her a gift. She is so mouthy and loves to carry things around ALL  the time. I had to pry open those jaws of steel to get the poor man’s scarf back.
 
With the wind and bad weather, the chairs blocking the shallow end of our pool got blown into it.  Marty took them away since he didn't think it would be an issue, but one slightly warm day there was Sammie standing on the top step. She is ready for swim season... too funny! Back went the chairs.

The photo shows Sammie on two beds... living the life. She sleeps like that often with one paw on her face or in her mouth like she is sucking her paw. Sweet.

Updated 10/30/10

Sammie may be a senior, and she may have arthritis and back troubles, but  she acts so much younger than you’d expect! She cannot walk long distances or climb stairs, but boy can she enjoy life. She has quite a will and personality and doesn't let anything stop her. She wants to be included in everything—and her hearing is excellent, so you can bet that if you are doing anything interesting, she will be there to investigate!

Swimming is great for old bones, and here you see Sammie lounging in the pool… even in October, she is still a pool hog, getting in and lolling on the top step, even when nobody else wants to take a dip.

When she came to GRR in July, she was quite the portly gal, but she’s now lost abut 10 pounds (we THINK! She was so excited at the vet that she wouldn’t stop hopping around on the scales, so the reading was hard to pinpoint!).She weighs around 71 pounds now, and we think she will be perfect at 65 or a bit less. As the weight  comes off, she has so much more energy. She entertained a lady sitting in the waiting room by prancing around with her leash. What a happy and sweet girl.

Sammie is so playful and has such a wonderful personality! I have never had a dog who makes people smile as much as she does. She’ll relax on her bed and toss toys in the air like a juggler. She also will “talk” to let you know she needs to go out… or she’ll actually bring you her leash. Clever dog!

We are going on a short trip to Mustang Island with our Airstream next week, so Sammie is already packing her rucksack. The dogs really love going "camping"!