Sam the Man

NikkiBN · Post by **NikkiBN** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:26 pm

Hi Everyone

Just thought I would post a photograph of Sam the Man who joined us 4 weeks ago. He is just adorable and is beginning to settle in.

ISN'T HE GORGEOUS????

Sam is our 5th Golden Retriever - we had 3 bitches Poppy, Holly and Saffron, and one dog, Skipper, all at the same time but one by one old age caught up with them and we said goodbye to Saffron on 5th May 2008. I cried buckets over the Rainbow's Edge poem whilst looking at the lovely photographs on this website.

Holly came from the Retriever Rescue in 1997 adopting us when she was approx 5 years old and she had 10 very happy years diving in the Cumbrian Lakes retrieving rocks off the lake bed!

Although we will never forget our other Goldens, Sam has helped us over the last 4 weeks and made our home complete again.

He came caravanning with us at the start of his third week and loved the attention from everyone. We are so proud of him as he receives compliments wherever he goes. He is so obedient, loves to meet other dogs and can be walked off-lead without any problem.

We are gradually increasing the length of his walks and agreed a plan with our vet. So far Sam has lost over 3kg; there is still a "little" way to go but I will keep you posted. We love him regardless of his size but I must admit it is hard not to spoil him with treats but I have to keep thinking it is for his own good.

Thank you to all those lovely people who work behind the scenes at Retriever Rescue and especially to Jan for all your support; your hard work and dedication allows gorgeous, deserving dogs to be rehomed and provide many hours of fun and companionship.

Ellas mum · Post by **Ellas mum** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:05 pm

Hi NikkiBN,

Welcome to our lovely website, and welcome to Sam too.
It's so heartbreaking when we have to say goodbye, and we never forget them, they will always have a special place n our hearts, and giving Sam a new loving home is the greatest tribute that you can give the ones who have gone before.

Hope you enjoy the site as much as we all do, and looking forward to more pictures of Sam

hairydog · Post by **hairydog** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 12:43 pm

He is lovely doesnt look too fat to me...

it is always sad when you lose a dog,and you have to remember you have given them a wonderful life, but there is always a dog in a rescue needing a home....cant imagine my life without a golden...

lynn wise · Post by **lynn wise** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 4:49 pm

Welcome to Sam and his new family. Hope you enjoy this site as much as we do. There are some wonderful tales on here from "mums and dads", some of them make you weep with sadness, the others weep with joy. It's all part of the dog loving game. Glad the boy enjoyed his holiday, it's like the bucket and spade brigade all over again, isn't it?
Loved his photo', and keep us posted.
Best Wishes .

NikkiBN · Post by **NikkiBN** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:18 pm

Hi

Just a quick update. Sam is doing well and has finally found his bark. He is starting to show his personality but is still a mummy's boy.

He is beginning to chase a ball around the front garden and is now walking a mile in the morning and a mile in the evening. He now wanders in our back garden quite happily - when we first got him he would only go out if we went with him. He is such a well mannered boy compared with the others we have had who were all mad as hatters.

We went down to the beach for his first paddle on Saturday and he found the sand really strange to walk on. Funnily enough he didn't want to go in the water either - first retriever I have had who didn't dive straight in!

The cod liver oil and regular brushing seems to be helping his coat - it seems so much softer.

After unsuccessful attempts with dried food he has let us know that he prefers tinned dog meat but only in gravy not jelly!!!! Dried food with gravy upsets his tummy so best stick to what suits him and he seems to like it.

Post by **janrobinson** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:36 pm

Hi Nikki

so very pleased you have found out what Sam likes to eat. Always a worry when a Golden does not eat.

Jan

lenny · Post by **lenny** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:20 pm

Sam looks a lovley dog, and like you when we lost our first retriever Sunny we were devastated, but soon after we adpoted emily and just recently snowy and they do take some of the pain away ,but not all of it, just as it should be really. When we hear of other peoples loss we do feel for all of you as the memories of sunny come flooding back, and we know the pain you have gone through. Thanks to Jan and everyone involved in the north west retriver rescue, you know you are not alone, and you can be in touch with others who will give you comfort and support if needed, and in my case advise in wheth'er to adopt sooner or later than I might have done. I'm sure Sam will have a great life with you and you will have so many happy times to look foward to togeather.

PaulZ · Post by **PaulZ** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 5:55 pm

Hi Nikki and Sam
Read your post and it sounded so like Solo we took him down to the beach 2 weeks ago and he was bemused by the sand.Hes a gentle boy and hasnt taken long to become part of the family,He too has recently discovered his bark but keeps it for special occasions.

NikkiBN · Post by **NikkiBN** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 7:15 pm

Hi Paul

Pleased to hear that Solo has settled in with you. Is he your first retriever? It is a while since I had a male dog and when I did he was kept in place by the 3 other bitches we had! Sam is really gentle and a very humble dog. I saw the photo of Solo with his rope toy so we went and bought one for Sam today.

We had a big party yesterday and Sam took it all in his stride - we did try to put him in our smaller sitting room away from all the crowds but he wanted to see everyone and kept coming through.

He didn't beg for titbits which was amazing! He loved the attention from all the children and held court in the main sitting room.

Jan has suggested putting vegetable oil on his food to try and nourish his coat as it is a little rough. I have been giving him a cod liver oil capsule every day to help his joints as we have increased his exercise according to the "plan".