A New Member of Our Family

I have always wanted to add to our family. The kids, too, have been on board for making our family bigger. I truly believe the bigger the better. And so, on May 2, 2015 our family grew by one as we added our newest member: Mr. Samuel Jennings Gregg. Sam/Sammy (as we call him) was adopted from the Golden Retriever Rescue Organization of El Paso. He had a pretty rough life prior to coming to us. Those staff who looked after him for the month and a half he was with the rescue organization said that he most likely was kept outside on concrete his whole life as a companion dog for another animal. He had very little interaction with humans his whole life. And for some reason his previous owners decided that they were done with him and just got rid of him.

 Based on his behaviors he most likely had never been on a leash to go for  a walk. The rescue organization found him at the pound and brought him to their organization to get him cleaned up and adopted out. We were told that he has an intense fear of cars which leads them to believe that at some point he was thrown out of one. Sam is afraid of a lot. He is afraid of loud noises, doorways, the washing machine, the car, Elizabeth's desk chair, and other things I am sure we have not yet discovered.

According to the two vets who oversaw his care at the rescue organization, Sammy is between the ages of 2 and 4. He is very gentle and has a very sweet disposition. We do not know what his name was prior to coming to the rescue organization so he is getting used to his new name. He absolutely adores Lily and literally follows her around everywhere. She, at first, would not even acknowledge him. Now she tolerates him for a few seconds and then either moves away from him or growls at him. He doesn't give up though and I think eventually he will win her over.

The kids are thrilled to have a second dog. They have been asking for one since before our move to NM. Bob had always told them that they could have a new dog once we moved into a bigger house. Since this house definitely qualifies as a bigger house he gave in and agreed to adopt Sammy. We thought about getting a puppy, but decided against it as we wanted to give a dog who didn't have such a good beginning a new start.

I wish that we could have adopted Sammy as a puppy because I know that he has had a hard life and it makes me sad to think about what he has had to endure at the hands of humans. But I am also so happy that we have him now and that we can give him an amazing life from here on out. Lily has a dream life. She is loved and adored. Played with constantly and walked just about everyday. She has never been hit or abused in any way. She is spoiled rotten. She comes with our family on every possible errand and trip that we can safely have her come with us. She lives a very charmed life. I am so thankful that we can now extend this life to Sam. He deserves it. All animals do.

Sammy is the perfect fit for our family. He is laid back like Lily with a bit of energy that allows him to be a good fit for a household of kids. He is quiet and a good boy. We so happy to have him. Welcome to your furever home, Sammy!!!