Born on Wednesday, Died on Tuesday
Aged 18 years, 6 months, 26 days.
Breed: Shih Tzu
Namesakes:
Samuel Adams
Thomas Jefferson
I lost my boy last night, my best friend. The loss of the love, light, friendship and companionship that is Samuel is excruciatingly hard to bear.
He lit up the lives of everybody he met and other dogs, including helping a 10-year-old Boxer feel and play like a pup again.
He loves cheese, (thanks to Ricardo who was not supposed to give him any people food early in his life…), popcorn, bananas, watermelon, potato chips, French fries and especially "Cereal Time".
-------------------------------------------
Cereal Time
I'm not sure when exactly this started, but it has been going on for at least the past 14 years, if not longer. I was getting lunch packed before I went to work one day and decided to take some of the Malt-O-Meal brand Frosted Mini Spooners to munch on during the day. Samuel, always with me and being a typical guy, was also looking to try to score some grub.
Having the 'massive' will-power that I possessed with him, I instantly caved and gave him a piece; I could tell that it was an instant addiction. I told him that it was cereal and asked, "Do you like it? Is that good?" He told me "Yes" in his special way of the look in his eye, tail wagging and bark. I let him have one more piece, but only after he worked for it by performing some tricks. I had him sit, shake with both paws, give 'high-five' with both paws, lay down and then give kisses.
The next day, I'm packing lunch, but did not have the Mini Spooners out, I think I was taking trail mix that day, but as I was gathering everything to go, Samuel starting wagging his tail and barking. Like every day, I gave him my usual hugs and kisses before I left and told him that I was going to work and would be back later; but there was something different that day. He started barking more, ran to the kitchen, looked back at me barked, looked into the kitchen and back at me barking.
I asked him, 'What's up Buddy?" He kept looking into the kitchen and back at me barking. I'm thinking to myself, "Really? Is this what I think this is?". I asked him, "Do you want cereal?" More barking and running in circles; a definite yes! So I got the Mini Spooners out gave him one, then he sits down and holds out his paw…already starting the trick portion of the program for the second piece.
And that was it. From then on, every morning before work, we did our morning routine, and then I would tell him, "Cereal Time!" and he was ready! It was then required on the weekends as well if we went anywhere. He tried many times for more, but it was always stopped at two; I didn't want to plug the little guy up, but he never had diarrhea, ever.
It was always added to the shopping list as Samuel's Cereal.
--------------------------------------------
Deiter
When Samuel was a puppy, our young recently married neighbors had a 110 pound German Shepard named Dieter, and they would take turns chasing each other through the back yards as if the yards were one big racing track. It was the funniest thing to see a 10 pound Shih Tzu chasing that big German Shepard.
Dieter was a typical caring German Shepard making sure that he knew where Samuel was at all times and taking great strides to make sure that he did not step on his small friend.
When Samuel needed a break, he would just flop down in the grass and Dieter would lie down in front of him, giving Samuel all the time he needed to recover. When Samuel was ready, he would bounce up, give a bark, and off they would go again.
--------------------------------------------
The connection that we have with our beloved friends is amazing. The unconditional love is indescribable; the non-verbal communication and facial expressions, (yes, that is a thing and they absolutely *do* give you facial expressions), is incredible. They can give you "the look" at times, and in my case, "the look" was well deserved when I was messing with him.
They understand you more than you realize. Us humans can learn a lot from our animal friends and more times than not, they are more human than we are. We should strive to be a lot more like them. I know that I do...
Through 18-1/2 years, 15 vehicles and 6 homes, this was still not enough time with him. I unreasonably wanted another 20 years with him, but his ashes will be returned to me and will be buried with me when I'm gone.
Aged 18 years, 6 months, 26 days.
Breed: Shih Tzu
Namesakes:
Samuel Adams
Thomas Jefferson
I lost my boy last night, my best friend. The loss of the love, light, friendship and companionship that is Samuel is excruciatingly hard to bear.
He lit up the lives of everybody he met and other dogs, including helping a 10-year-old Boxer feel and play like a pup again.
He loves cheese, (thanks to Ricardo who was not supposed to give him any people food early in his life…), popcorn, bananas, watermelon, potato chips, French fries and especially "Cereal Time".
-------------------------------------------
Cereal Time
I'm not sure when exactly this started, but it has been going on for at least the past 14 years, if not longer. I was getting lunch packed before I went to work one day and decided to take some of the Malt-O-Meal brand Frosted Mini Spooners to munch on during the day. Samuel, always with me and being a typical guy, was also looking to try to score some grub.
Having the 'massive' will-power that I possessed with him, I instantly caved and gave him a piece; I could tell that it was an instant addiction. I told him that it was cereal and asked, "Do you like it? Is that good?" He told me "Yes" in his special way of the look in his eye, tail wagging and bark. I let him have one more piece, but only after he worked for it by performing some tricks. I had him sit, shake with both paws, give 'high-five' with both paws, lay down and then give kisses.
The next day, I'm packing lunch, but did not have the Mini Spooners out, I think I was taking trail mix that day, but as I was gathering everything to go, Samuel starting wagging his tail and barking. Like every day, I gave him my usual hugs and kisses before I left and told him that I was going to work and would be back later; but there was something different that day. He started barking more, ran to the kitchen, looked back at me barked, looked into the kitchen and back at me barking.
I asked him, 'What's up Buddy?" He kept looking into the kitchen and back at me barking. I'm thinking to myself, "Really? Is this what I think this is?". I asked him, "Do you want cereal?" More barking and running in circles; a definite yes! So I got the Mini Spooners out gave him one, then he sits down and holds out his paw…already starting the trick portion of the program for the second piece.
And that was it. From then on, every morning before work, we did our morning routine, and then I would tell him, "Cereal Time!" and he was ready! It was then required on the weekends as well if we went anywhere. He tried many times for more, but it was always stopped at two; I didn't want to plug the little guy up, but he never had diarrhea, ever.
It was always added to the shopping list as Samuel's Cereal.
--------------------------------------------
Deiter
When Samuel was a puppy, our young recently married neighbors had a 110 pound German Shepard named Dieter, and they would take turns chasing each other through the back yards as if the yards were one big racing track. It was the funniest thing to see a 10 pound Shih Tzu chasing that big German Shepard.
Dieter was a typical caring German Shepard making sure that he knew where Samuel was at all times and taking great strides to make sure that he did not step on his small friend.
When Samuel needed a break, he would just flop down in the grass and Dieter would lie down in front of him, giving Samuel all the time he needed to recover. When Samuel was ready, he would bounce up, give a bark, and off they would go again.
--------------------------------------------
The connection that we have with our beloved friends is amazing. The unconditional love is indescribable; the non-verbal communication and facial expressions, (yes, that is a thing and they absolutely *do* give you facial expressions), is incredible. They can give you "the look" at times, and in my case, "the look" was well deserved when I was messing with him.
They understand you more than you realize. Us humans can learn a lot from our animal friends and more times than not, they are more human than we are. We should strive to be a lot more like them. I know that I do...
Through 18-1/2 years, 15 vehicles and 6 homes, this was still not enough time with him. I unreasonably wanted another 20 years with him, but his ashes will be returned to me and will be buried with me when I'm gone.
Born on Wednesday, Died on Tuesday
Aged 18 years, 6 months, 26 days.
Breed: Shih Tzu
Namesakes:
Samuel Adams
Thomas Jefferson
I lost my boy last night, my best friend. The loss of the love, light, friendship and companionship that is Samuel is excruciatingly hard to bear.
He lit up the lives of everybody he met and other dogs, including helping a 10-year-old Boxer feel and play like a pup again.
He loves cheese, (thanks to Ricardo who was not supposed to give him any people food early in his life…), popcorn, bananas, watermelon, potato chips, French fries and especially "Cereal Time".
-------------------------------------------
Cereal Time
I'm not sure when exactly this started, but it has been going on for at least the past 14 years, if not longer. I was getting lunch packed before I went to work one day and decided to take some of the Malt-O-Meal brand Frosted Mini Spooners to munch on during the day. Samuel, always with me and being a typical guy, was also looking to try to score some grub.
Having the 'massive' will-power that I possessed with him, I instantly caved and gave him a piece; I could tell that it was an instant addiction. I told him that it was cereal and asked, "Do you like it? Is that good?" He told me "Yes" in his special way of the look in his eye, tail wagging and bark. I let him have one more piece, but only after he worked for it by performing some tricks. I had him sit, shake with both paws, give 'high-five' with both paws, lay down and then give kisses.
The next day, I'm packing lunch, but did not have the Mini Spooners out, I think I was taking trail mix that day, but as I was gathering everything to go, Samuel starting wagging his tail and barking. Like every day, I gave him my usual hugs and kisses before I left and told him that I was going to work and would be back later; but there was something different that day. He started barking more, ran to the kitchen, looked back at me barked, looked into the kitchen and back at me barking.
I asked him, 'What's up Buddy?" He kept looking into the kitchen and back at me barking. I'm thinking to myself, "Really? Is this what I think this is?". I asked him, "Do you want cereal?" More barking and running in circles; a definite yes! So I got the Mini Spooners out gave him one, then he sits down and holds out his paw…already starting the trick portion of the program for the second piece.
And that was it. From then on, every morning before work, we did our morning routine, and then I would tell him, "Cereal Time!" and he was ready! It was then required on the weekends as well if we went anywhere. He tried many times for more, but it was always stopped at two; I didn't want to plug the little guy up, but he never had diarrhea, ever.
It was always added to the shopping list as Samuel's Cereal.
--------------------------------------------
Deiter
When Samuel was a puppy, our young recently married neighbors had a 110 pound German Shepard named Dieter, and they would take turns chasing each other through the back yards as if the yards were one big racing track. It was the funniest thing to see a 10 pound Shih Tzu chasing that big German Shepard.
Dieter was a typical caring German Shepard making sure that he knew where Samuel was at all times and taking great strides to make sure that he did not step on his small friend.
When Samuel needed a break, he would just flop down in the grass and Dieter would lie down in front of him, giving Samuel all the time he needed to recover. When Samuel was ready, he would bounce up, give a bark, and off they would go again.
--------------------------------------------
The connection that we have with our beloved friends is amazing. The unconditional love is indescribable; the non-verbal communication and facial expressions, (yes, that is a thing and they absolutely *do* give you facial expressions), is incredible. They can give you "the look" at times, and in my case, "the look" was well deserved when I was messing with him.
They understand you more than you realize. Us humans can learn a lot from our animal friends and more times than not, they are more human than we are. We should strive to be a lot more like them. I know that I do...
Through 18-1/2 years, 15 vehicles and 6 homes, this was still not enough time with him. I unreasonably wanted another 20 years with him, but his ashes will be returned to me and will be buried with me when I'm gone.
Aged 18 years, 6 months, 26 days.
Breed: Shih Tzu
Namesakes:
Samuel Adams
Thomas Jefferson
I lost my boy last night, my best friend. The loss of the love, light, friendship and companionship that is Samuel is excruciatingly hard to bear.
He lit up the lives of everybody he met and other dogs, including helping a 10-year-old Boxer feel and play like a pup again.
He loves cheese, (thanks to Ricardo who was not supposed to give him any people food early in his life…), popcorn, bananas, watermelon, potato chips, French fries and especially "Cereal Time".
-------------------------------------------
Cereal Time
I'm not sure when exactly this started, but it has been going on for at least the past 14 years, if not longer. I was getting lunch packed before I went to work one day and decided to take some of the Malt-O-Meal brand Frosted Mini Spooners to munch on during the day. Samuel, always with me and being a typical guy, was also looking to try to score some grub.
Having the 'massive' will-power that I possessed with him, I instantly caved and gave him a piece; I could tell that it was an instant addiction. I told him that it was cereal and asked, "Do you like it? Is that good?" He told me "Yes" in his special way of the look in his eye, tail wagging and bark. I let him have one more piece, but only after he worked for it by performing some tricks. I had him sit, shake with both paws, give 'high-five' with both paws, lay down and then give kisses.
The next day, I'm packing lunch, but did not have the Mini Spooners out, I think I was taking trail mix that day, but as I was gathering everything to go, Samuel starting wagging his tail and barking. Like every day, I gave him my usual hugs and kisses before I left and told him that I was going to work and would be back later; but there was something different that day. He started barking more, ran to the kitchen, looked back at me barked, looked into the kitchen and back at me barking.
I asked him, 'What's up Buddy?" He kept looking into the kitchen and back at me barking. I'm thinking to myself, "Really? Is this what I think this is?". I asked him, "Do you want cereal?" More barking and running in circles; a definite yes! So I got the Mini Spooners out gave him one, then he sits down and holds out his paw…already starting the trick portion of the program for the second piece.
And that was it. From then on, every morning before work, we did our morning routine, and then I would tell him, "Cereal Time!" and he was ready! It was then required on the weekends as well if we went anywhere. He tried many times for more, but it was always stopped at two; I didn't want to plug the little guy up, but he never had diarrhea, ever.
It was always added to the shopping list as Samuel's Cereal.
--------------------------------------------
Deiter
When Samuel was a puppy, our young recently married neighbors had a 110 pound German Shepard named Dieter, and they would take turns chasing each other through the back yards as if the yards were one big racing track. It was the funniest thing to see a 10 pound Shih Tzu chasing that big German Shepard.
Dieter was a typical caring German Shepard making sure that he knew where Samuel was at all times and taking great strides to make sure that he did not step on his small friend.
When Samuel needed a break, he would just flop down in the grass and Dieter would lie down in front of him, giving Samuel all the time he needed to recover. When Samuel was ready, he would bounce up, give a bark, and off they would go again.
--------------------------------------------
The connection that we have with our beloved friends is amazing. The unconditional love is indescribable; the non-verbal communication and facial expressions, (yes, that is a thing and they absolutely *do* give you facial expressions), is incredible. They can give you "the look" at times, and in my case, "the look" was well deserved when I was messing with him.
They understand you more than you realize. Us humans can learn a lot from our animal friends and more times than not, they are more human than we are. We should strive to be a lot more like them. I know that I do...
Through 18-1/2 years, 15 vehicles and 6 homes, this was still not enough time with him. I unreasonably wanted another 20 years with him, but his ashes will be returned to me and will be buried with me when I'm gone.
