Obituary dog Sam
His short life was full of ups and downs
Sam was five years old when he travelled to Gut Aiderbichl in Henndorf in 2023 at the request of an animal welfare activist in Ukraine.
The animal welfare workers who were able to help Sam and two other dogs in Ukraine do not run an animal shelter, but try to help street dogs in need. They are wonderful people who are looking for animals in the midst of the turmoil of war, giving them food and caring for them as much as possible.
Sam lay powerless beside the road for days
Sam was found injured at the side of a busy road, where he had probably been lying motionless for several days. Passing cars and pedestrians had not cared enough to help him out of his desperate situation. He could no longer move his hind legs, Sam had an iron ring rather than a collar around his neck and his left ear was missing. Had he been a chain dog, how did Sam lose his ear? He couldn’t give us any answers.
A wounded soul in a wounded dog’s body
Sam’s fur was dull, he was incontinent due to the accident and his eyes looked around sadly. Maybe he wanted to ask “Where am I? What are you doing to me? Why am I being stroked?”. Sam was unsure at first and couldn’t stand loud noises. Slowly, the keepers became his friends. Sam allowed himself to be groomed and given medical care when necessary. He enjoyed being stroked and regularly fed and “walked”.
Sam's "Porsche" helped him get around
A so-called wheelchair was adapted for Sam. Slowly and carefully, Sam learnt what it meant when the animal carers fixed his hind legs in the wheelchair so that he could walk vigorously and happily with his front legs across the farmyard in Henndorf or on the soft paths in the neighbouring forest.
His great love was Neema
Neema, a Romanian street dog, had the same fate as her friend Sam. She was also unable to move her hind legs after an accident and now rolled around with Sam. The two dogs have spent many happy laps together over the past two years.
At first, Sam barked nervously until he became calmer and calmer with the support of his friend Neema.
Sam's body became weaker
The animal keepers had learnt how to empty Sam’s bladder because he couldn’t do it himself. Due to bladder infections, Sam was regularly taken to the vet for check-ups and treatment. A few months ago, a rapidly growing liver tumour was diagnosed, which had reached a considerable size. Various tests were carried out, but the results were devastating.
Sam was given palliative care
After an operation would no longer provide any help and there was too great a risk of inflammation due to incontinence, we wanted to make Sam’s days more beautiful and cosy for as long as his health allowed.
Our Sam changed his behaviour noticeably and only allowed keepers of his choice near him and on his body. Nevertheless, his bladder had to be emptied and his wheelchair put on for walks. Nobody wanted to stress Sam. Everyone made an effort and showed Sam that they meant well.
The increasingly aggressive behaviour was probably related to the diseased liver. Sam mustered up all his strength for his favourite animal carers and worked with them as long as he could.
The good days became fewer and fewer
Sam’s hunger became less and less, until a few weeks ago he refused to eat. He himself had opened the door to the Rainbow Bridge. We all knew what that meant. In the presence of his humans, who had done him good and whom he loved, he slipped into eternal sleep without pain and without sad memories of the land from which he had come to us.
Dear Sam,
Unfortunately, we could only walk a short distance with you. But it was an eventful and intense journey that we walked together with you and Neema.
Neema is sad and, especially in the first few days after your death, she let her eyes wander across the yard in the hope that you would suddenly come round the bend in your wheelchair. We guard and protect your Neema with all our love and promise you that we will never forget you, our brave Sam. Take care, dear Sam. The sky up there has got one more star. His name is Sam and he sends warm, loving light down to earth.A loyal friend, a gentle companion, forever a part of our soul. – That was our Sam.
By: Gisela Pschenitschnig, Gut Aiderbichl
