Happy 10th Birthday, Samson!

Samson is 10 years old today which means that he's already outlived his breed's average lifespan of 9 years. Samson came to us through adoption when we looked to Cavalier Rescue USA to expand our family. I had always been charmed by the breed's good looks and friendly personality and when my mom and dad got a Cavalier puppy 6 years ago I just couldn't wait any longer to adopt one of our own. He was 4 when we adopted him, but he's been with us the past 6 years.  

He 100% lives up to his breed's fancy name of 'Cavalier King Charles Spaniel'.  Sam is regal, aristocratic, and princely in his appearance, behavior and attitude. He loves to climb into your lap for a snuggle and lives for his daily walks to the park. He greets everyone he meets with a vivacious wag of the tail and will gently hop up for a scratch behind the ear. He has made a dog lover out of everyone he comes across and taking him for a walk feels a bit like being friends with a celebrity. Forget Forest's stunning blue eyes--everyone wants to know about the cute dog walking next to his stroller. 

About 2 years ago Samson was diagnosed with a heart murmur, the beginning of a genetic disease which kills the majority of Cavs. Because it came on acutely and progressed rapidly, our veterinarian in Scotland told us that all we could do was manage his quality of life. She told us he likely wouldn't be able to make the move to California with us since his health would be too far gone to travel. We were really devastated and overwhelmed with the prospect of leaving him behind. Luckily as our move date approached, our vet cleared him to fly. His condition had stabilized and he wasn't showing any symptoms so we were overjoyed to move him to California with us. 

Fourteen months later and he's still stable. What a blessing! Our vets here are pretty shocked that he still remains asymptomatic and loves to go for 2 mile romps on a daily basis, tugging on the lead the whole way. We have been warned that when the end comes, it may come quickly, and I certainly hold my breath every time a wheeze or cough comes from his mouth thinking it may be the onset of heart failure. 

We try our best to treat him as if nothing has changed but he surely gets more nights in bed with us and more treats than he did before the diagnosis. Celebrating his 10th birthday feels like a bit of a miracle. Two years ago I certainly never thought we'd get to celebrate this milestone but we are overjoyed to still have him as part of our family. 

He is truly a gift from heaven. He brings us joy every single day. He is the warmest, gentlest, snuggliest pup I have ever met. He is a super big brother to an obnoxiously rough toddler but he never loses his patience with Forest. 

Happy birthday, Sam. I don't know what we ever did to deserve you but I thank God every day that you found your way to us. Thanks for being the most beautiful dog inside and out and for tagging along without complaint as we drag you all over the world.