Sammy
June 18, 1992 to November 12, 1992
My Sammy or Why Parvo Must Be Conquered
Pam Shearer

I was in search of a special friend when I found Sammy. He was the "runt" and as soon as I picked him up I knew he was the one. The first week with him was like having a new born in the house. Every hour he would wake up and cry. I would pick him up and sit on the couch with him on my chest and he would go right to sleep. I'd put him back in his bed and like clock work an hour later he'd be at it again.

Sammy followed me everywhere. If I went out to check the mail he would waddle behind me, he would even take a nap in the bath room while I was showering. Everyday when I got home from work Sammy would be sitting in the corner of the drive way, as soon as he saw me he would run to the gate and greet me. He loved to please us.

When Sammy was 5 months old I went on vacation. My husband would call me and tell me that Sammy was sitting in the corner of the drive way and wasn't as happy as he'd been while the kids and I were home. After I'd been gone for 2 weeks, my husband called   me and said he was worried about Sammy. He wasn't eating and wouldn't play. The next day he took him to the vet and was told that Sammy had Parvo. We knew the odds were against us but decided to try to save him or at least make the last few hours less painful. The vet did what he could, but Sammy didn't make it through the night.

We buried Sammy under a Willow tree near a creek. I cried for days and swore to never again get so attached to an animal. But I knew in my heart that he was not just an animal....he was my best friend.

A month later I rescued a Red Doberman from an abusive owner. I nursed him back to health and found him a good home. Then we found a stray Beagle and brought her home, made her a part of our family but she too died of Parvo.

Both dogs were up to date with their vaccines, but because Parvo is so rampant in Florida....vaccinations don't always do what they are supposed to do. There must be something we can do to help our poor babies.........

I miss my Sammy.

Pam Shearer, Jacksonville, FL

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