Sampson has always enjoyed the company of other dogs. He had friends of both sexes though he did often seem to flirt with girls... Even into his elder years. Last fall Sam was with me one Sunday evening when I was teaching agility in Akron. We were finishing up and I brought him into the building while we picked up equipment. As soon as he came into the building, Eva trotted over to Sam and the mutual flirting began. Some of you know Eva, for those who don't, she is a Border Collie mix - all black and about 18 months old - and EXTREMELY cute. Eva was thoroughly impressed with Sam's handsome, rugged good looks, air of experience, confident wag, and sparkling conversation. She cavorted around him and frolicked about in the ring while Sam strutted his stuff for her. He entered the ring happily wagging his tail and smiling at her antics. She would charge towards him and drop into a playbow right in front of him. His smiles and tail said, "If I were a year or two younger, Kid, I'd be chasing you around and playbowing right back at you." Beth (Eva's person) and I had huge grins plastered across our faces and we were spontaneously bursting into laughter at the show we were enjoying.
All of a sudden, I saw a thought cross Sampson's face. He had an idea. He started walking quickly (for an almost 16 year old dog) and steadily towards....the TUNNEL!! Sam had decided to impress Eva by doing the tunnel. I could hardly contain my pride or my amazement. My heart was bursting... He entered the tunnel and steadily marched through it. As I watched the tunnel shake with his progress, Eva stood by stunned and amazed. She patiently awaited his arrival and when he emerged she joyfully ran to him and showered him with kisses and compliments on his tunnelling abilities. He wagged and wagged and wagged and smiled and smiled and smiled at Eva and at his accomplishment.
What a cool guy! That's how I remember Sam - I'll bet that's how Eva remembers him too... Such a charmer - he had me at "Hello".
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