Farewell Sam

On Wednesday Laura put Sam's lead on him and took him outside and Laura and Sam got in the Batmobile and drove away without me.  That was wrong!  Very wrong.  I ride in the Batmobile.  Me, Shelby Ann.  I go where Sam goes.  Laura is not supposed to take Sam places without me!

I was not very happy about this breach of protocol.  But humans make mistakes sometimes.  I waited for Laura to realize her error and come back and get me.

I waited and I waited.  Finally--three hours later!--Laura came back.  By herself.  No Sam.

"Sam found his new family," Laura said.  "He's gone to live with them."

Laura had told me this would happen one day.  She said Sam had to find his own family, like I found Laura and my Mum and Dad.  I thought maybe we could be Sam's family.  He was a good guy (even if he was rascally sometimes).  But Laura said if Sam stayed with us, our family would be full.  Then we wouldn't be able to help any more puppies find their families.  And there are lots more puppies out there who were lost like Sam and I were and who need our help.

I guess I agree with that.  And Laura said Sam is going to be happy with his new family.  They've promised to take him hiking in the woods and to a big park to play with other puppy friends.

I know Sam loves these things.  But wouldn't he miss me?  I was his big sister and his teacher for almost two months.  Sam followed me everywhere!

Then Sam sent me this picture:

and I knew I didn't need to worry about him.  Sam's got himself a new big brother to play with!  He is going to be just fine.

So now I am concentrating all my efforts on Laura.  When Sam was here, he was wanting to play all the time.  I don't want Laura to be bored now he is gone.  So I make sure she plays my shining light game with me at least five times a day.    And at bedtime I stretch out on the bed and take up as much room as I can so the bed won't feel too empty without Sam in it.

I don't mind doing all of this to look after my friend Laura.  She's my family.