Everyone, meet Sam.

I had wanted a dog- and not just any dog, but a golden retriever – for my entire life. This little guy just turned six years old, and he’s been mine for a little over a year now. I adopted him from friends of ours, a couple at my church that was moving to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. When they asked me if I’d be willing to take him, I didn’t even hesitate before saying YES. The night they brought him to me, I was so excited I didn’t even know what to do with myself. I didn’t want to startle him by meeting him at the door squealing (which is exactly what I felt like doing), and I knew it would be a new, strange place, so I left the door unlocked and told them to come on in. When they came in the door, the sweetest thing I could have ever hoped for happened. He looked around, walked around the living room, and then came right over to the couch where I was sitting, laid his head down in my lap, and looked up at me like, “hey Mom!”

That’s the instant he stole my heart. To some people, I know it sounds silly, but this little guy has brought so much joy and healing to my heart. He is the sweetest dog I’ve ever met, and would sit on my lap all day long if I let him (which I would if I could). He follows me around the house, watches every move I make, and is always so excited to see me at the end of a long, hard day.

I got my love for animals from my grandma. I can remember standing in her kitchen, helping her make peanut butter sandwiches for the squirrels in her backyard, making homemade humming bird food for her hanging feeders on her wrap around porch, and staring into the pool of Otters at Grandfather Mountain for what seemed like forever, because she and I could have watched them all day. She did get to briefly meet Sam when she was very sick, but I know if she was still here today, she would love him just as much as I do.