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Sampson - Westerfield, OH ESRA # 2004-460OH Age: 12 months Gender: Male Color: Liver/White Weight: 45 lb. Variety: Field-Bred

Sampson is a sweet liver and white Springer pup, just a year old, with light eyes and blond streaks in his ears. His luck changed when he was rescued by a Good Samaritan who took him from a home where he was chained to a tree with no sign of food or water and owners who didn't care about giving him up. Although she was unable to keep him, this kind soul found Springer rescue and he was placed in a foster home.

Sampson was very underweight when he came to live with us, and needs to gain a few pounds but fortunately he is heartworm negative. He has all the energy of a puppy with none of the bad habits. Sammy doesn't bark and loves to stare at the sky looking for birds. He is house trained and doesn't chew on people (he will gum your hand, but doesn't bite down) or possessions. He plays well with the other three dogs in the house and also has been good around children. He doesn't get up on the furniture and only jumps on the bed when coaxed. He also hasn't learned to counter surf like his foster siblings. Sammy doesn't know many commands yet, but he does respond to "No" and comes when called about half the time.

Unfortunately, a vehicle hit Sampson during his young life and the ball that fits into the socket was crushed. Although he does not appear to be in pain, runs like the wind, and puts weight on this leg, he has adjusted by "centering" his strong leg, which creates a curve in his spine. If it had been properly treated at the time, he would not have learned this maladaptive posture. We are also worried that as he gains normal weight, he may have some pain. The wonderful news is that an operation called a FHO, scheduled for next week, will remove the damaged bone fragments. Then 12 weeks of rehabilitation, which will include heat, ice, T.E.N.S. unit and eventually after stitches heal, work on a special underwater treadmill will strengthen his muscles to restore his gait to near perfect. The Animal Hospital where he will be treated will also be giving his foster Mom physical therapy "homework" to do with Sampson to improve his chances of recovery. Our orthopedic veterinarian says he should recover to 90-95% of normal use from what he describes now as 50-60%. He will also be neutered while his leg is being repaired. The surgery and rehab costs will be in the neighborhood of $1560.00.

UPDATE: August 10, 2004 - Sampson's surgery went very well -- he did great but missed his foster Mom! His hip was shaved and stapled and looked like a regular extra-large zipper! He whimpered for the first few days but finally got to go home on Tuesday. Within a week he was walking quite long distances! Is three miles what the
doctor ordered? WOW! Madeline is faithful about doing his stretching therapy on a daily basis; it will set the tone for future therapy sessions.

UPDATE: August 18, 2004 - Madeline and Sampson came to West Park Animal Hospital today where he got his
stitches out. You can hardly tell the "zipper" was there! His hair is starting to grow back. He and a young lady Springer met each other and became acquainted! Oops! No cameras there to capture the moment, sorry!

UPDATE: August 25, 2004 - Sampson is recuperating from his surgery and undergoing weekly therapy sessions. He has heat applied to the hip and the muscles stretched. Then there is a half hour full body massage with special attention to the muscles in his weaker leg. Finally, he spends time in the "hot tub" walking on an underwater treadmill. As he becomes stronger, these sessions will last longer and the treadmill will move faster. He was a little bit confused about what was going on in his first session as water filled the tub but he quickly got the hang of it and walked against the resistance of the water for twelve minutes.

For the first two weeks, he wore a collar to keep him from licking the incision from his surgery. He did a good job banging it into everything, chipping pieces off the edge, cracking it, and giving his foster Mom a few bruises as he raced by unaware that he didn't have clearance! The collar is now off and his fur is growing back in over the hip muscles.

Sam is adjusting well to his foster home and getting along well with his foster brother Farley and sisters Katie and Maggie. He lost a few pounds from his already scrawny frame after surgery, so he is getting extra food to help him gain weight. Farley has taught him to sleep on the couch and Mom's bed. As his repaired leg gets stronger, he no longer picks it up when he runs, and best of all, his spine is starting to straighten out as he balances evenly on two healthy legs.

UPDATE: October 3, 2004 - Sam had his surgery several weeks ago and is recuperating very well. Because the ball that goes into the hip socket was crushed, the vet removed the bone fragments and the rest of the knob on the femur. Essentially, Sam no longer has a hip "joint". The femur is held in place by muscle and ligaments. This is a fairly common operation. Aside from the fur that is growing back in, there are no signs of his having had surgery. He was also neutered.

Sam has gone for several physical therapy appointments. He gets a half hour massage and then walks on an underwater treadmill for almost a half hour. It is harder to walk with the water resistance, but less painful because the water is buoyant. Of course, that was probably only a concern for the first few weeks. Sam now runs after his squirrels for hours at a time with no signs of any pain. Occasionally, he will still hold his injured leg up, but this is habit, not pain. He has also gained weight and now weighs almost 43 pounds. He needs about 5-10 more, but at least his ribs aren't so obvious any more.

While Sam has been with me, he has learned some good habits. He is very smart and picks things up quickly. He doesn't counter surf, now knows how to Sit and will Stay when he know that I am going out. He has seen that the other dogs don't run for the door when I tell them "See you later". He sleeps on a dog bed, but has learned from Farley that sometimes you can sneak on the bed in the middle of the night. Farley has also taught him that the couches are comfortable for naps.

It wasn't clear whether or not he was housetrained when he came to live here. We have had accidents. First thing in the morning, Sam finds so many things to interest him outside that he can walk for twenty minutes before he decides that he has to go! He still needs a little work understanding that he has to go outside. He eats with the other dogs and is not food or toy aggressive. There are little kids in the neighborhood who come to visit and he gets along fine. He is very energetic and could knock a small child over in his puppy exuberance. He bangs into
me once in a while when he is in a hurry to get down the hall before me. He ignores cats, but has observed that squirrels live up in trees and that nuts falling on the ground means a critter is overhead. He ties to climb trees in pursuit, stretching out his lanky body as far as he can reach.

Sam is a typical "teenage" dog, in that he is trying to assert himself. He plays with Katie, my 13 year old, but as he has been here, he has become rougher in his play and she seeks to avoid him by sleeping in one of the bedrooms during the day. He grabs and pulls at his leash
before it is attached. I now make him sit before I attach it, which he
learned in no time. He occasionally grabs the cuff of my sleeve or my
skirt. He responds to "no", so his challenges are not a problem as
long as I let him know who is boss.

We are planning to place Sam in a Forever Home soon. He will be ready to be adopted within the next two to three weeks. He deserves to be loved for the special dog that he is, and never to be tied to a tree
without food again.

Contact Lisa Polis scruffyrescue@yahoo.com

Click Here To Sponsor Sampson

SAMPSON'S GENEROUS SPONSORS:
Lynnea J. Berr	In memory of Angel Sweetums, who I wish had had this kind of opportunity earlier in her life.
Cathryne Slaughter	Get well soon and run like the wind!
Dianne Shanley	In memory of Angels Milo and Nigel. Here's to a better life!
Michelle Y. Reichlin	Gift for Sampson from Britney & Tristan in Avon, OH.
Katrin Owen
Ed and Jamie Balazs	In memory of Leslie.
Madeline F. Finnerty	A gift for Sampson, my first foster dog. It will be so hard to let you go, but you'll leave us when you're well with wonderful memories.
Kimberly Patronite	In memory of Sundae, may you have the same loving life she did.
Jane Ash	In memory of Duke, my best Springer boy!
Bob Knell	In memory of Samantha, Rose, and Brady
Adrienne Wirt-Burroughs	In memory of Snickers, our loving companion for 16 years and the best dog ever!
Claire Blanchard	In memory of Satin, my best friend and companion
Jim and Kris Rohde	In memory of Dylan, Holly and Hunter (aka Big Noise). A Springer gotta' spring.
Dianne Edwards	In memory of my three angels and the new star in my sky.
Sara Eldridge	To honor Quinn's 7th birthday.
John & Gloria Kareken	In memory of dear, sweet Daphne.
Lisa Sobel	A gift for Sampson from Lacy Sobel.