Samson is a Black Great Dane. He is approximately 9 years old and weighs in at 140 pounds.
In January 2005, Samson was "rescued" from a rescue group* and came home to live with me (Barbara Laird). This day was the first day of many days of the best days of the rest of his life.
Samson is best known for sleeping all day on the couch. Yep ... that's about all he does... sleep, sleep, and more sleep. He occasionally has short burst of energy and spins around in tight circles ... kinda like a rodeo horse. These bursts are called ZOOMIES. Samson usually gets the zoomies when I'm trying to watch one of my favorite TV shows, or when I'm talking with someone on the phone. If I were doing absolutely nothing, he'd be sleeping.
Samson's favorite places to go is to the dog park and to the beach.
Samson's best friend in the whole world (besides me) is Remi. (I'll introduce Remi shortly).
In January 2005, Samson was "rescued" from a rescue group* and came home to live with me (Barbara Laird). This day was the first day of many days of the best days of the rest of his life.
Samson is best known for sleeping all day on the couch. Yep ... that's about all he does... sleep, sleep, and more sleep. He occasionally has short burst of energy and spins around in tight circles ... kinda like a rodeo horse. These bursts are called ZOOMIES. Samson usually gets the zoomies when I'm trying to watch one of my favorite TV shows, or when I'm talking with someone on the phone. If I were doing absolutely nothing, he'd be sleeping.
Samson's favorite places to go is to the dog park and to the beach.
Samson's best friend in the whole world (besides me) is Remi. (I'll introduce Remi shortly).
This is my handsome prince, Samson
What a rough life
Looking quite handsome
"Whatz U lookin' at?"
"You can't find me"
Hangin out with some friends
VICIOUS SAMSON
Hold your mouse over his picture
Hold your mouse over his picture
Click here for a Video Slideshow of Samson & Remi
* to learn more about the "rescue" group where Samson came from, go to
www.GentleGiantNews.com
www.GentleGiantNews.com
For more photos, CLICK HERE to go to the Photo Album
Samson and the Gang © 2007-2009 All Rights Reserved.
Web Site developed and maintained by Laird Web Service
February 6, 2010
Samson was the beginning of a lot of new “firsts” for me. After much research, I knew the Great Dane was the breed for me. Samson was my first Great Dane.
I rescued Samson out of a hell-hole 4 years ago when he was approximately 5 years old. With Samson along my side, we began a new journey into the Great Dane world.
I rescued Samson out of a hell-hole 4 years ago when he was approximately 5 years old. With Samson along my side, we began a new journey into the Great Dane world.
Because of Samson … I became good friends with Kim Coxwell and her beautiful daughter. I feel blessed to have a friend like her.
Because of Samson bringing Kim into my life … I became the fortunate owner of Remi, Samson’s first and only girlfriend. Kim operated a Great Dane Rescue in Los Angeles County and a beautiful blue Great Dane (Remi) became available, and Kim gave me first opportunity to adopt her. Of course I could not have turned down that opportunity.
Because of Samson … I became good friends with Marc Sayer and have spent my last 2 summer vacations visiting his Deaf Dane Rescue. Marc and I have become close and I hope will be a lifelong friendship.
Because of Samson … Marc and I became lawsuit victims together. Well, OK, perhaps that wasn’t Samson’s fault. Gee, perhaps Marc and I have big mouths and we feel it is our right to stand up to the wrongs that are happening to other people that adopted Great Danes and other giant breed dogs from Samson’s former hell-hole, Gentle Giants Rescue. Fortunately, the law was on our side and the lawsuit was dismissed.
Because of Samson … I began my first website, Gentle Giant News, exposing Samson’s former hell-hole to the public and giving a place for all the victims to speak out about the wrongs that happened to them.
Because of Samson … bringing me into the world of website development … I started up my own web development business that services the Animal Rescue community.
Because of Samson … I was introduced to the message board community of Leans and Slobbers and have become friends with Keri, Victoria, Rachel, Carole Ann, Mia, Gwen, and many, many others.
Because of Samson … I became friends with lots of people around the Nation and across the pond.
Because of Samson … bringing me into all these wonderful friendships … I was given the opportunity to bring Callie into my life. Life has never been the same since.
Because of Samson … I have had the opportunity to serve the elderly community with Therapy Dog visits. I got Samson and Remi certified as Therapy Dogs, and although Samson wasn’t too much of a fan of going into the Senior facilities, he did his job anyway and brought much joy to that very lonely group of people. Samson didn’t last long in this “profession” but I continued the work with Remi.
Samson went to the Bridge today.
For the past 4 years … well, as long as I have owned him … Samson has had chronic bowel issues. Samson has had very few days that everything worked normally. As Samson got older, his back started becoming a problem (arthritis or disc problems) causing pinched and/or damaged nerves. Now, with the back shot and the nerves damaged, he lost all control of his bowels and bladder and was completely humiliated every time he had accidents in the house. Samson could barely stand up … his back end sunk almost all the way to the ground.
Samson was a regal boy and he deserved to retain his dignity. Samson’s purpose in life … to hold down the couch … was over. So I decide, instead of waiting until there was nothing left of him and he could no longer function or walk on his own … while his dignity was still intact… it is time to release him and let him live free … free of pain … free of humiliation. Samson lived his life with dignity and he deserved to go out with dignity.
Because of Samson bringing Kim into my life … I became the fortunate owner of Remi, Samson’s first and only girlfriend. Kim operated a Great Dane Rescue in Los Angeles County and a beautiful blue Great Dane (Remi) became available, and Kim gave me first opportunity to adopt her. Of course I could not have turned down that opportunity.
Because of Samson … I became good friends with Marc Sayer and have spent my last 2 summer vacations visiting his Deaf Dane Rescue. Marc and I have become close and I hope will be a lifelong friendship.
Because of Samson … Marc and I became lawsuit victims together. Well, OK, perhaps that wasn’t Samson’s fault. Gee, perhaps Marc and I have big mouths and we feel it is our right to stand up to the wrongs that are happening to other people that adopted Great Danes and other giant breed dogs from Samson’s former hell-hole, Gentle Giants Rescue. Fortunately, the law was on our side and the lawsuit was dismissed.
Because of Samson … I began my first website, Gentle Giant News, exposing Samson’s former hell-hole to the public and giving a place for all the victims to speak out about the wrongs that happened to them.
Because of Samson … bringing me into the world of website development … I started up my own web development business that services the Animal Rescue community.
Because of Samson … I was introduced to the message board community of Leans and Slobbers and have become friends with Keri, Victoria, Rachel, Carole Ann, Mia, Gwen, and many, many others.
Because of Samson … I became friends with lots of people around the Nation and across the pond.
Because of Samson … bringing me into all these wonderful friendships … I was given the opportunity to bring Callie into my life. Life has never been the same since.
Because of Samson … I have had the opportunity to serve the elderly community with Therapy Dog visits. I got Samson and Remi certified as Therapy Dogs, and although Samson wasn’t too much of a fan of going into the Senior facilities, he did his job anyway and brought much joy to that very lonely group of people. Samson didn’t last long in this “profession” but I continued the work with Remi.
Samson went to the Bridge today.
For the past 4 years … well, as long as I have owned him … Samson has had chronic bowel issues. Samson has had very few days that everything worked normally. As Samson got older, his back started becoming a problem (arthritis or disc problems) causing pinched and/or damaged nerves. Now, with the back shot and the nerves damaged, he lost all control of his bowels and bladder and was completely humiliated every time he had accidents in the house. Samson could barely stand up … his back end sunk almost all the way to the ground.
Samson was a regal boy and he deserved to retain his dignity. Samson’s purpose in life … to hold down the couch … was over. So I decide, instead of waiting until there was nothing left of him and he could no longer function or walk on his own … while his dignity was still intact… it is time to release him and let him live free … free of pain … free of humiliation. Samson lived his life with dignity and he deserved to go out with dignity.
Here’s Samson hard at work.
Samson is now pain free and healthy. He is running freely in the heavens, awaiting my reunion with him. I look forward to meeting up with him again and feel the warmth of his big head snuggling up against me.
Thank you Samson for the life you have given me. I could never have asked for a better, more devoted dog than you. You have definitely changed my life for the better.
Until we meet again … RUN FREE, SAMSON, RUN FREE.
Thank you Samson for the life you have given me. I could never have asked for a better, more devoted dog than you. You have definitely changed my life for the better.
Until we meet again … RUN FREE, SAMSON, RUN FREE.
The Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends
so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine,
and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor;
those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,
just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing;
they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops
and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent;
His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group,
flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet,
you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved
head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet,
so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends
so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine,
and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor;
those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,
just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing;
they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops
and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent;
His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group,
flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet,
you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved
head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet,
so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown
Photo Montage