Sami

Today is the 23rd anniversary of my dog's (Sami) birthday. Sami was everything that I love about dogs--playful, friendly, funny, and unconditionally loving. For a great part of my life, she was my best friend.

Sami was a Miniature Schnauzer--and the only reason my mom broke down and let Dad get me a dog for my 16th birthday is that Schnauzer's don't shed. While my mom really didn't want to deal with the headache of a dog, I know that she loved Sami just as much as I did.

Sami was a brilliant dog who had moments of shear stupidity. Her favorite toy was an old sock, and she knew HER sock by it's smell--she never picked up one of my dad's good socks to play with. She played with her sock so much, that we had to replace it every couple of months. But, it was a great way to make use of dad's socks that otherwise would have been thrown out. We used to play fetch with the sock, and Sami would sit, stay, and go on command.

Sami was, like most dogs, a creature of habit. She knew that everyday at 4:30 pm (or whenever I got home from work) was "snack time", and she would do her Snoopy-like dance in anticipation. She also could only eat her dinner on carpet. Mom and Dad's kitchen is carpeted, and she would always grab a mouthful of food, place it on the floor, and then eat one piece at a time. Whenever she if her food bowls were ever placed on linoleum floors, she would always look for a carpeted area or throw rug on which to place her food.

Sami ALWAYS was excited to see me--and anybody, for that matter. But she did show more excitement whenever I would come home from college to visit. I remember one time, she was outside on her chain when I pulled up in the driveway. As soon as I got out of the car, Sami ran full speed towards me. Problem was, she was till on the chain. The chain stopped her and she flew up and backwards and landed on her back--much like that poor dog in the Foghorn Leghorn cartoons. I really thought she broke her neck, but she bounced right back up and welcomed me home.

I had to put Sami to sleep 8 years ago this past March. She was old and frail, and getting weaker every day. When she was a puppy, we used to put her in the basement when we'd leave for long periods of time so that if she had to do her "duties", she wouldn't ruin our carpets. Years later, as it became near impossible for her to last through the workday without a trip outside, she would go down to the basement. Only once, did she mess on the carpet, and I could tell that she felt awful about it. I just hugged her and loved on her.

I miss Sami the most when I'm sad. She could always make me smile with her playful antics. And, if she didn't feel like playing, she'd just cuddle up next to me and keep me company. She was truly a great friend.