Sam was my wife Bonita's dog. He had been with her from before she and I met in 1997.

Sam liked to run on the beach. He liked it a lot when we lived in Santa Cruz, because we'd take him to the beach every day sometimes.

In the winters, here in the east - we've lived in Newfoundland, Maine and now Nova Scotia - he liked to roll in the snow. I think he found the cold invigorating.

Bonita loved Sam as if he were her own child. I loved him too. Sam adored Bonita, with such a depth of devotion that I've never seen in anyone, human or animal.

Sam was taken from us yesterday by leukemia.

I wish someone had given Jesus a dog
As loyal and loving as mine
To sleep by His manger and gaze in His eyes
And adore Him for being divine.

As our Lord grew to manhood His faithful dog
Would have followed Him all through the day
While He preached to the crowds and made the sick well
And knelt in the garden to pray.

It is sad to remember that Christ went away
To face death alone and apart
With no tender dog following close behind
To comfort its Master's Heart.

And when Jesus rose on that Easter morn
How happy He would have been
As His dog kissed His hands and barked its delight
For The One who died for all men.

Well, the Lord has a dog now, I just sent Him mine
the old pal so dear to me
And I smile through my tears on this first day alone
Knowing they're in eternity.

Day after day, the whole day through
Wherever my road inclined
Four feet said, "I am coming with you!"
And trotted along behind.

-Rudyard Kipling

Sam, I want you to know the world is a better place because you were in it for a time.

Good bye, Sam, I will miss you.