Sam Ayres is in Doggy Heaven.

Sam Ayres

Age 15, June 19, 1995 - December 01, 2009

To the others you were a great dog To me you are the world Thank You God for my best friend Sam

Nickname: Sammy

My girlfirend and I went to the Whitemarsh Pet Center on 9/23/95 to look for a cat to give to her mom on her birthday. While we were there I noticed a beautiful 3 month old sheltie in a cage that seemed so playful. Growing up as a kid I always loved the look of a shetland sheepdog. I asked a employee if she could take the sheltie from the cage so I could play with him. HE WAS FULL OF ENERGY!!! He jumped all over me and wanted to play so bad. I was sold. I was 22 yrs old at the time. My girlfriend and I split up a few months later and I took full custody of Sam. For the next 14 years he was my life. He went almost everywhere with me. Driving ranges, work, trips, running errands, etc. He LOVED riding in the car, playing ball, relaxing on the front lawn, going for walks and sleeping on my clothes. For his last 7 years he also had another companion. My wife Katie. Sam quickly grew to Love katie and probably realized she was staying unlike the others. Sam was incredible with commands. He never needed a leash. I've always lived in a townhouse community where there seemed to be plenty of dogs. People asked me how in the world I trained him to stay by my side when there were other dogs around. I don't know the answer. He made it easy. He was so smart. My roommates used to swear he knew I was on my way home 2 minutes before I walked in the door. He loved me so much and I loved him so much. I feel like an empty shell. My heart is totally crushed. I would do anything in the world to have him back. I have told God anytime he wants to take me I'm ready if it means I could see Sam again. Not having him here is the most painful experience I've ever gone thru.

On 11/16/2009 I took Sam to the vets for a normal eye exam. His vision was fine in the daytime and evening but when it was totally dark outside he had trouble seeing the curbs. The vet put him thru tests and said exactly what I thought. His vision was fine til it was almost pitch dark. Not a big deal. She said his vision should certainly outlive him if he's 14.5 yrs old. Just when we were ready to leave the vet assistant noticed a lump under his lower left jaw. No one knew what it was cuz we've never seen it before. I took Sam back the next day for xrays and a biopsy. The results came back a squamous cell carcinoma. A few days later I had an appt. for a dental specialist. They would have had to remove 3/4 of his lower jaw and do chemotherapy after that. I just couldn't put him thru the hell. The carcinoma grew double it's size in a matter of a week. It was starting to hurt him and he could barely eat his soft wet food. I had to do something I never prepared for. A routine doctor visit on 11/16 and 2 weeks later I had to put Sam to sleep. I cried from the day I got the results til the time I'm writing this memory. I will probably never stop crying. He meant everything to me. My parents, friends, wife, they all knew.

Sam, I hope your listening. I gave my heart, soul and life to you. I love you more than anything in this world and will continue to love you til the day we meet up again. You were the greatest. Athletic, intelligent, and beautiful. I will never be able to replace you. I hope you feel the same way about me. REST IN PEACE UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN.