Upon arriving at The Asher House, dog rescuer Lee Asher never anticipated that he would encounter a dog that would change his life forever at Wild Rivers Animal Rescue in Oregon.
A staff member brought Lee to Sammy’s kennel, where the pup radiated joy, grinning and wagging his tail as though sensing that a new chapter was about to begin.
Lee felt heartache upon learning that Sammy had suffered abuse; the staff explained that he had been rescued from a high-kill shelter and had undergone surgery due to his poor condition.
Sammy was at risk of being euthanized, as he was frequently overlooked for adoption.
Fortunately, Wild Rivers Animal Rescue stepped in to give him a second chance.
Sammy’s Journey from Shelter to Sanctuary
Lee made the decision to foster Sammy at his sanctuary. He lovingly kissed Sammy and vowed to find him an amazing forever home.
Right after leaving the shelter, Asher was eager to pamper Sammy and ensure he had a wonderful life.
Initially, Sammy was hesitant to trust his new foster dad, but Asher remained optimistic that he would earn Sammy’s trust over time.
Once inside the car, Asher embraced him, hoping to soothe all his fears and anxieties.
He had a special surprise in store, taking Sammy to a dog bakery filled with pet goodies. For the first time, Sammy was able to select toys that caught his interest.
After their shopping trip, Asher showered Sammy with love before driving home to Estacada, Oregon, where Sammy would meet his new furry companions. At the time, Asher had nine dogs, and they welcomed Sammy into their pack without hesitation.
Introducing Sammy to Life’s Wonders
Asher’s goal was to demonstrate to the anxious pup the beauty and excitement that life has to offer.
“I wanted to give him an adventure while I had him. Our first destination was the beach, and he absolutely loved it. It was breathtaking.”
For the first time, Sammy dashed across the beach, glimmering with joy.
While energetically running through the sand, Sammy understood that he was free, that he would never again experience the confinement of a shelter.
“Right after the beach, he transformed into a different dog. He began to let his guard down and truly trust me.”
Sammy showered his foster dad with affection, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to savor life’s joys.
Asher took him hiking with the pack, and Sammy was overjoyed, absorbing all the wonderful scents of nature. He was happier than ever before.
Sammy Found His Home
Despite his initial intention to secure a safe forever home for Sammy, Asher realized that Sammy had found his true home all along. They formed an unbreakable bond, and Asher couldn’t bear to part with him.
“I truly wanted him to experience love, safety, and security, and through that, we have developed a remarkable bond. He integrates perfectly with the pack, so this connection can’t be severed—he has been home all along, and now he stays with us,” stated Asher.
Sammy became Asher’s beloved son and his cherished companion. For the first time in his life, the endearing pup felt genuinely loved. The unwavering affection from Asher and the camaraderie with the sanctuary pack filled him with joy.
Although all of Asher’s dogs brought him happiness, Sammy was something special. He had a unique ability to bring laughter like no other.
When Asher brought Sammy home, the pup was diagnosed with heartworm, prompting a visit to the veterinarian.
Sammy received treatment, and after multiple shots, he became heartworm free; however, he then began experiencing seizures.
Determined to help Sammy feel better, Asher continued to take him for veterinary care, hoping for a full recovery for his beloved dog.
Tragically, in February 2021, Sammy passed away peacefully in Asher’s loving arms. Coping with the loss of his cherished son proved immensely challenging for Asher.
Sammy left an indelible mark on the hearts of everyone who knew his story. His memory will forever be celebrated and adored by those who heard of his journey.
The time Sammy spent with Asher and his dog siblings at the sanctuary was by far the happiest period of his life. It was there he discovered the joy he had long sought.
