Caffeinated Randomness...The Tale of Sam

I am doing my part for Caffeinated Randomness on a Friday. Thanks to Andrea, over at Under Grace and Over Coffee, who thought this whole thing up!

This is pretty random.

I thought that I would tell the story of my three most attentive friends. They are my fuzzy muses, Maggie, Sam and Tess. It will be a series, don’t worry. It is kind of a post of thankfulness because they are under my stewardship, whether they want me or not; but, I definitely want them. They have been my companions through many different days.

I will start from the beginning…Sam, Samantha, aka Pookie, was born November 20, 1997. I called her Pookie for a long time because I didn’t know what to name her. We had a Saint Bernard when I was young, named Samantha; but this Miniature Schnauzer was nothing like that giant. Well, at least on the outside.

Samantha seemed to fit her, but I had a hard time disciplining her with all of those syllables, so Sam it was. She could, literally, fit in my hand after she was born. I got her at 6 weeks, and by my side she has stayed. For the first couple of years, she wouldn’t let anyone else touch her. She has come a long way. I wouldn’t call her cuddly, but she is very friendly.

Sam is the only one who has ever sent the puppy police to my house (a barking warning), and she is the only one who lived with me alone. Sam was my first pet as an adult. I got her when I was 23, just a baby myself. We grew up together.

Two of the funniest things about Sam,

She has a ticklish spot on her back. She makes herself crazy by backing up to things and bumping up against them. This sets off the spot. She doesn’t move away, though. She just stays there and bumps into the furniture over and over, while talking (she talks a lot). It is hysterical.

Last night, Sam was having trouble getting on the bed, so I helped her. She didn’t mind that I helped her but when I set her on the bed, she just looked at me and started talking. It was as though I offended her when she realized that she had been helped. She is extremely independent.

What to say about Sam? I am enlisting the help of some personality test questions to introduce you to my friends. I will use the same questions of each of dog, for comparison sake.

1. What three words best describe your personality?

The Boss…The Chief…Head of Security

2. What three words would others probably use to describe you?

I have heard my mom say words like, Loud…Grumpy…and Very, Very Brave

3. Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people.

Mother, Father, Maggie and Tess.

I live in my fortress and I watch over my people day and night. I spend most of my time under mother’s desk, right in front of the big window. I see everything from there.

The other two canines are inconsequential.

4. Do you have any ailments or physical weaknesses?

I have no weaknesses at all. There is no foe on the earth to smite me.

Mother makes me take horrible liquid for arthritis and I have warts.

5. If you were any other creature what would you be?

I would be a lion, wait…a T Rex…no, I would be a Police Officer…or, maybe my mother’s boss.

6. What are your pet peeves?

Birds, that was a mistake. They move around my fortress. I just never get a break with all of the birds and leaves blowing in the wind…the wind blowing. All these things make me bark.

7. What is your greatest fear?

Someone will do something without my approval. These humans are sneaky.

8. Do you care what others think of you?

Why would I?

9. What is your favorite food?

The other canine’s food is always a tasty treat for the taking. Mother hates it…hysterical.

10. How do you deal with stress?

Bark, of course.

God, thank you for Sam. Without her rigidness, and prickly-soft disposition I would not have learned what it is to be silently appreciated, chosen for sacred affections, and the extreme loyalty of a friend. She has trained me well.

Are there little gifts that God has given you, along the way, to help you out?