{"id":859,"date":"2008-05-10T08:39:49","date_gmt":"2008-05-10T12:39:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/catchingfireflies.com\/blog\/?p=859"},"modified":"2011-10-03T22:42:18","modified_gmt":"2011-10-04T02:42:18","slug":"in-memory-of-sa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catchingfirefliesgifts.com\/blog\/2008\/05\/in-memory-of-sa\/","title":{"rendered":"in memory of samson"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Happy_in_hostas_may_07\"<\/a>Sadly, on the same night of Girl's Night Out<\/a>, Steve & I were delivered some horrible news.  <\/p>\n

Ironically, for no reason at all … I watched Rob Bell's 'Rain' video<\/a> earlier that day, not knowing a very strong thunderstorm was headed my way.\"Samson_his_new_cushion_small\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

In recent weeks, Samson hadn't been acting like his normal self.  After a few trips to the vet, he was diagnosed with Acute Leukemia<\/a> (the worse kind that chemotherapy can't even really help<\/em>).<\/p>\n

\"Chewgar\"<\/a><\/p>\n

He was only 2 and half years old.  Our hearts were broken. \"Journal_1\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

Not knowing how to cope with my first loss of a pet, I started art-journaling<\/a> about all the wonderful things Samson had brought into our lives.\"Journal_2\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

Even though his life was cut short, it was packed full with fun.\"Pet_contest_web\" <\/p>\n

One of his first flirts with fame is when he graced the pages of The Daily Tribune<\/a> to help promote our pampered pooch photo contest.\"Af1__2\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

We collected loads funny pet photos that we used in our handmade frames<\/a>.  It's safe to say, Samson's mug has been in numerous gift and pet stores across the United States.<\/p>\n

\"05_xmas_card\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

Being the proud dog parents we are, he also showed up in our Christmas cards…\"Easter_card_blog\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

… and even one Easter Bully<\/a> card.\"Robina_rhapsody\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

He was a man about town – strutting his stuff at the Robina Rhapsody<\/a> …\"Samson1\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

… and making a Halloween appearance at the Rochester store a couple of times.\"Hall3\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

\"Paw01\" <\/p>\n

He didn't attend any prestigious dog modeling schools, but he did a fine job showing off some of our funny pet items<\/a>.  He was even featured on the popular Rare Bird Finds blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Samson_3\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

He also helped raised over $2000 in the 2006<\/a> and 2007 Humane Society's Mega March<\/a>.  (and was star struck by Mr. Jay Towers of Fox News 2)\"Samson_in_the_office\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

But what I'll miss most is him following me wherever I went.  I loved when he just sat on our home office couch and watched me work on the computer (which was quite often).\"Studio_samson_1s\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

And he loved his Friday afternoons at our design studio.  He was happy as a clam riding the lower level of our order pulling cart…\"Studio_samson\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

… and getting into other various things.<\/p>\n

\"Lawn_chair\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

We love you Samson.  You'll be missed dearly but your spirit and zest for life will always live in our heart.<\/p>\n