Samuel Rex – a loving and beautiful purebred Golden Labrador, who died a year ago today on 17 July 2008.

Born on our eldest son’s 16^th birthday, and as a belated birthday present to him, Sam came from a breeder in Hokitika as an 8 week old tiny yellow ball of energy – so small that on his first morning walk he could only cover a few metres of the soccer field across the road from our home in Westport.  In only a few short months he could bound across it in minutes. 

Sam quickly became an inseparable and much loved part of our lives.  Foreseeing that the tiny pup would quickly grow to become much larger than he, our cat Shanan “trained” him from an early age, with a close friendship between the two then ensuing for the rest of Shanan’s life.  Sam was consistently loving and friendly with a succession of family cats over the years, often sleeping companionably side by side with them.  With humans though, Sam took his guard dog duties very seriously.  Appearing to be slightly short-sighted, he barked ferociously at any visitor until they were close enough for him to establish their identity as an acceptable guest, whereupon the visitor was then warmly and boisterously welcomed. 

Moving to Christchurch with us all when he was two, Sam adapted to city life, enjoying many walks through the parks close to our home and jumping into the creek whenever possible in true Labrador water-loving fashion.  He liked fruit, and was particularly fond of pears, picking and eating any pear within reach on the tree as soon as it became ripe.  As he became older he formed a close attachment to Big Bear – a huge green stuffed toy BP bear acquired when the boys were young – and sneaked inside on many occasions in order to cuddle up to him.  We always knew where to find him when he hadn’t been seen for an hour or two. 

During 2008 he developed a sore hip and became good friends with the local vet, and we started noticing the odd day when he seemed to be unwell for no identified reason.  However, most of the time he was his old self and on the latest vet visit just before our youngest son left home, Sam, aged only 9 and a half years, seemed in such good shape that the vet thought he was good for a few years yet.  So it was an awful shock a few days later, after he’d had a particularly happy evening walk and good dinner, to find him dead in his kennel the next morning from a massive heart attack.  Buried beside the peach tree, he is greatly missed by all of us and we are grateful for the years of love and companionship he gave so freely to us all. 

The Arndt family 
 

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 Dear Snoopy,

 No more ‘twirling-circles’ of welcome; no more cuddles on Mikey’s lap;
 no more rides in the basket of Bev’s bike…
 but no more pain. 

 Bev’s ‘tiny boy’ can sleep now. 

 Loved and sadly missed by Bev and Mike

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I REMEMBER THE DAY YOU CHOSE ME,
SITTING OUT ON THAT LOG,
I WASN’T EVEN SURE,
IF I WAS READY FOR A DOG.

FROM YOUR VERY FIRST DEER,
A NIGHT LOST IN THE BUSH,
TO SEEING YOU EACH MORNING,
A CHEEKY GRIN ON YOUR MUSH.

YOU’VE BEEN A LOYAL DEAR FRIEND,
I COULDN’T HAVE HOPED FOR BETTER,
THE FEELINGS I HAVE,
SIMPLY CAN’T BE PUT DOWN IN LETTER.

YOU WILL REMAIN IN MY MEMORIES AND HEART,
FOR ALL OF MY DAYS,
I LOVE YOU, MISS YOU,
WILL REMEMBER YOU ALWAYS.

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Seamus Connor, born on 1 March 2003, tragically taken away from us 12 January 2005.  We picked him up seven weeks after his birth from a local petstore.  All the other kittens were running around like mad things trying to gain the most attention from their potential owners.  Seamus was fast asleep on the highest platform of the enclosure scratch pole, not fussed by any of the goings-on with the other kittens.  As we came closer to the window of the enclosure, Seamus woke up, stretched and casually walked over to us and put his front paw up against the window.  I picked him up and he climbed out of my hands, up my forearm and nestled close to my shoulder and chin, then promptly continued his sleep again.  We knew then that this little boy was going to be ours.  Over the next few days, Seamus' personality developed into a bright and very playful little man.  

Sleeping, Eating and Playing were the three things that Seamus loved the most.  He liked to sleep at night at the end of my bed, sprawled out starfish style and would wake up at 5am for his morning play then come home for breakfast around 6.30am and then retire to the end of my bed until 7.30am when I used to have to wake him to put him outside for the day.  

Seamus Connor 1 March 2003 -12 January 2005

I remember how warm and cuddly and floppy he was.  He would always have a little cuddle with me before I went to work and then head off for more adventures in the garden.   

When I would arrive home he would be waiting for me at the front door.  Usually meowing to be let inside and demanding to be fed and cuddled and played with.  Everyone loved Seamus, even the neighbours around me I didn't know so well, all remember and miss him.  I miss him so much.  I only hope he knows how much I loved him and how much I want him back!   

Rest in Peace my little boy, forever in my heart till we meet again at Rainbow Bridge – play nicely with the other animals!

from Louise 

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