[Our sweet Samba Oct 2006 - Jan 31, 2010]Her beginning with us - In March or April 2007 B and I decided it was finally time for us to get our first dog. After several conversations we determined that it had to be 2 things - a rescue dog and a golden retriever - and we thought we would never find both in one because who ever gives up a golden? But B searched and searched and the very first day that Samba was posted on the Napa Valley animal shelter website, B called and we met her a few days later. The moment we met "Candy" (her name at that time) we knew she was the perfect addition to our family. She was shy, sweet and trusting - even after a hard first few months on earth and a neglectful family. We learned that she had been abandoned at the shelter because she had a terrible case of mange - "the worst case the vet had ever seen" and the family expected her to die. But, Samba was not going to die, instead she recovered and appreciated life all that much more. Everyone who worked with her absolutely loved her - truly - and were very particular about her adopted family. But, we passed the test and are so grateful that she was a part of our family for the time we had.
[Samba's first day with her new family]Her gentle nature - Samba was the most gentle dog I have ever met with adults and kids alike. When we first brought her home in April 2007 and introduced her to B's nephew Elliott (16 mos at the time) she showed us just how gentle she would be with kids - even babies. As she passed a plastic cup back-and-forth between Elliott and her, her mouth would literally quiver because she was trying to be soooo gentle.
[First time we got to see her amazing demeanor with a kid - Elliott. This picture was taken in between the game of passing the plastic cup back and forth. I think E is leaning in for a kiss from Samba.]Her love for fetch - Samba could play fetch with us for hours and hours if we kept going. She would run her heart out running back and forth until she would collapse for a few minutes, catch her breath and drop the ball back at our feet again for more! It took a little while for her to get fetch down pat, the initial stages mostly consisted of throwing the ball at a park, samba fetching it, then her curiosity would get the best of her on the way back and she'd be off looking for a squirrel up a nearby tree. Even in the early stages of fetch she was 100% into fetch when we would go to the beach or to the nearby shore at Albany Bulb park. She really knew what the moment had to offer!
[This was the more common site over the past few months. The prospect of Reed playing fetch with Samba is one of the things I will miss most.]Her trusting spirit - We took many great adventures with Samba and some of them even pushed her comfort level. She learned to swim at the Russian River - we waded into the water up to our waists and then called her from the shore. She came right out to us and was in love with the water ever since. On our trips to Big Sur together, Samba showed us how much of an explorer she was. At the campsite, she would explore (on her own) up and down the river. B would wait for Samba to leave camp, then would go and try to stalk and surprise her. He'd find her exploring, sniffing, crossing the river, and just climbing around for the fun of it. On that first trip she went from being a shaky footed river dog to a rock hopping hound. We had many weekend trips on the Big Sur River full of swimming, fishing and exploring. No matter how challenging or scary the adventure was, if B or I wanted her to do it she trusted us that she would be safe.
[B in his favorite spot with his favorite dog]
[One of her first rides in the bike trailer - she was hesitant at first but quickly realized that riding in it always resulted in a fun adventure once we got there]
[She was totally willing to ride in the boat with us and didn't seem nervous at all]
[One of many many road trips with Samba]
[Proud Samba with a plastic easter egg in her mouth]Her tail - Her tail would knock anything off of low tables within a four foot diameter of her. It was an incredibly happy tail and always wagging. Reed got used to getting wapped in the
face and started to learn to duck his head when her backside came around. She had a few different distinctive tail wags (1) the fetch tail ---sort of a spinning motion around and around as she ran towards us, happy, with the ball in her mouth; (2) the I've-got-something-in-my-mouth tail --- this was hard to describe but B and I knew it instantly when we heard it; (3) morning tail --- you could hear her tail whapping the floor the moment she knew you were up; (4) all around happy tail ---this was the tail we most often saw around the house. It was just a loving constant motion showing us she was happy.
Her special relationship with Reed - Although her status in our family shifted from the primary "child" to secondary, she welcomed Reed into her pack with love and affection. Samba made us all laugh all the time, and the way she interacted with Reed and his response to her was remarkable. He routinely called out for her from his crib or out the back door. He chased her around the house and had just begun throwing the ball for her. She began laying her head on his lap and he loved it.
[This was a regular site Samba getting just as close to Reed (3mos) as possible without getting on his blanket]
[Hanging on the sunny front porch, Reed (6 mos)]
[Like always, she is right at B's feet]Samba was the most incredible dog and was a wonderful member of our family. She played a very important role in our lives during the years that we were laying the core foundation for our family. She was our first "baby" and the love that we shared with her was returned back 10 fold from her always. In addition, Samba helped me to want to be outdoors more and get active - which in turn brought Billy and I closer together.
She loved all people and was especially sweet with children. Although her relationship with Reed was still forming, it was sure to be long and strong. He would call out for her from his crib in the mornings and look for her out the back door. Without a doubt, she was the gentlest of creatures, completely trustworthy and full of love and joy. Although she was in our lives for less than 3 years, we have many many wonderful memories and, like so many pet owners know, she was a member of our family who will be missed dearly.
