I want to pay tribute to our born and raised Newfoundland girl Sammy … aka SamSam, Sama Ama, Pickle, Poppy, Samalama and Sweet Pea.
Sammy wasn’t a frou frou dog as was evident, even as a pup that she was an independent, muscular and active Chesapeake Bay Retriever. For her first three years we were bringing our property that we moved into back to its original potential from the years of overgrowth. As we weeded, pruned, dug and planted, Sammy thought that she was a wonderful helper. A hole filled with water for a tree was a chance for a ball drop and plunge. A newly planted Butterfly Bush was pulled and paraded as a new prize. She loved to run the trails and woods around us whilst always looking back to be sure that her people were in sight. Swimming was her favourite with never ending energy and excitement. Her special talent was that she was able to retrieve two tennis balls stacked on top of each other in her mouth, we always thought that was impressive! She could lay on her side and shimmy under the gate, not to leave our property, just because she could. She could entertain herself by making a game of tossing a piece of mulch in the air or a fallen apple. When she greeted you it was always with a toothy grin, it was best kind!
Sam was never a cuddle bug, but always wanted to be in our company. She was content to lay by our feet, to have us in her sights. At times she would jump up and lay over our lap if she wanted to be extra close and have her ears rubbed. She enjoyed having some affection from guests to our home, but only if she initiated it.
Sammy felt that it was her job to protect our property. She knew every inch of it and would walk her patrol making sure the squirrels, birds and occasional rabbit knew that this was her place. There’s a Spruce tree in the backyard with the branches low enough for to go under where she would head to scratch her back.
Her favourite spots in the house were to lay in front of the patio doors or in the front foyer where she would keep watch of her domain and in her later years to enjoy the patch of sunshine.
She was a tough girl and she loved life, but most of all she loved her people. She was the most loyal of dogs. The only one that she may have loved more was a Chesapeake that we renamed Jackson when we adopted him from the SPCA at the age of five. At the time he was one year older than Sam and she was smitten. So much so, that when we had to say goodbye to him December 2020 Christmas Eve, she was adrift and mourned for him until the Spring of 2021. We knew that we had our silly SamSam back was when we were out working on the property and she found a piece of mulch and started to play!
Our 3 1/2 year old Jagger, is a lovely boy who Sam treats as the much younger brother who needs to be corrected or tolerated when he is being to rambunctious or won’t share his toy. She squeezes her eyes shut when he runs too close during his Zoomies outside, but she is happy when he gives her some kisses and lays down to keep her company.
Thank you our beautiful girl for choosing us. Thank you for your Chessie smiles. Thank you our loyal and loving companion. You were a wonderful energy who we were blessed to have had in our lives.
The unconditional love that is given by these beautiful beings just splits our hearts open every time we have to say goodbye. May Jessie, Charley and Jackson be waiting for you Sammy to run, swim and explore as Chessies do … whilst checking behind for their people
08/03/10 to 03/19/25
Pet parents: Gary and Lisa Knopp
Siblings?:
Favourite toys: Anything that she could chew
Birth/gotcha date: 2010-08-03
Death date: 2025-03-19
Favourite Activity: Playing and helping
Favourite food: Banana
Least favourite thing: Being away from her family
Friends: Jackson and Jagger
