Update: Sammy died of squamous cell carcinoma on November 12, 2004. Sammy was the bravest, kindest Jack Russell you would ever want to meet. He left a very large hole in our hearts. Now we know he is running free at the Bridge with all his buddies and the best part is that we know he can see everything and every dog there! Run free, sweet Sammy! Mom and Dad love you and miss you.....
Here's a picture of Sammy and Thumper snuggled up together on a pillow in October 2004
Hello, my name is Sammy. At least that's what it has been since April 29, 1999, when my new mom and dad adopted me. I am now nine years old and I am totally blind. I was mauled by a big dog in Tennessee and ended up half-gone on a lady's lawn. She found me and tried to help me and finally a nice lady (Judi Lovell) from Jack Russell rescue heard about me. She put out an email message to the Jack Russell list on the internet and these nice people in Arizona said they would adopt me.
On April 29th, Judi took me to the airport and I got on a big plane and flew all by myself from Tennessee to Arizona, where my new mom picked me up. I was really brave on the airplane and my new mom took one look at me and named me Sammy. She took me to her vet and he said he could fix my neck where it had been injured in the mauling. I also heard them say something about getting "neutered" . Well, boy did I get a "make-over"!! I got my tail docked and I also got my teeth and ears cleaned!!! Mom took me to an eye specialist but he said my vision could not be helped. It really doesn't bother me or Mom as I get around very well. In fact, I have heard Mom say she can't believe how smart I am and how well I do things. (That's because I am a Jack Russell, of course!!)
I now live with my six brothers and sisters. They have been very nice to me, except Woode said I CANNOT share his bones. There is a swimming pool at the house and I fell in it four times in the first two days but now I have figured out where it is, and I haven't gone "swimming" in almost a week!!!
Mom lets me sleep on a big, soft pillow beside her every night in bed. Life is looking up!!!!
Dad and I sharing a glass of wine at bedtime!!
Update: Sammy has now been with us over 4 years (June 2003). What a fabulous dog he is!! Besides being blind, Sammy developed glaucoma in his eyes and we finally had to have his "natural" eyes removed. However, we had them replaced with interschleral prosthesis ("glass eyes"). We didn't want to just sew his eyelids shut (the other option). Even though Sammy is totally blind, he still opens his eyes when he wakes up and closes them when he sleeps. He also blinks when he looks at you. Here is Sammy looking very handsome with his "new eyes".
Heartland Golden Retriever Rescue
f you have any questions, or would just like to drop me a line, please send email to my mom at: RVinson307@aol.com .
