My Friends Champ & Sam #HAWMC

Write a thank you letter to your furry, feathery, or fishy friend for always being there for you. How have they helped you cope with your health condition?

These are my dogs, Sam and Champ.  When I was in junior high school, my mother brought home a Min Pin in need of a home.  I fell in love.  His name was Champion and he was my child.  He was mine and I did everything with and for him.  He always comforted me when I was having a Migraine.  He would lay with me and rest his head on my chest or snuggle up to me really close.  I miss that comfort.  When I was away at college in Hawaii, I got a phone call saying that he ran away and didn't come back.  I was so upset at the loss of my beloved dog. I still miss him to this day.  It was like the death of a family member.  I always said that I was going to get another Min Pin and to my luck four years ago, I came across a Craigslist ad for a ChiPin - a Chihuahua Miniature Pinscher mix - up for adoption in my neighborhood that looked a lot like my Champ.  I contacted the owner and in a matter of minutes I was the owner of a three month old pup named Peanut.  We changed his name to Sam after Samuel L. Jackson due to his feisty and snippy attitude.  Sam is four years old.  I was in desperate need of a fur friend when I found him.

My kids were ecstatic to have a dog....My husband not so much, lol.  Sam has been a great companion whenever I am not feeling well.  Sam always knows when I am not in the best spirits mentally or having severe pain.  He will linger in my bedroom and sleep next to my side of the bed as if to keep watch.  It's nice knowing that there is a source of unconditional and non judgemental love anytime I need it.  He has the sweet disposition of a Min Pin with the annoying and oftentimes loud nag of a Chihuahua.  He barks at any and everything and for someone with Migraine, isn't the best quality to have.  But that's part of who he is and that's okay.  He isn't perfect and neither am I.  He seems to love me even though I can be distant at times and not want to be bothered.  He still comes to me with love and affection and he wins me over every time.

Not only is he there for me, he is there for all of my kids.  They love on him and play with him all the time.  Especially my youngest who has Selective Mutism.  He loves Sam so much and the feeling is very mutual.  If you were to ask him, he'd say that Sam is his brother and not his dog.  Seeing their love for one another makes me happy and that helps to make some of my bad days a little better.  So, thank you Sam for bringing light, love, companionship, and loyalty to this lady and her brood.  We are all very grateful for you.  And a very special thank you to Champion for showing me how a furry friend can love so much.