We are thrilled and relieved to find Sampson has survived the night! He is still very weak and has a pitiful look about him.

In the waiting room at the vet's office, many people stare at him and we must explain to them that he is a stray. A lady waiting to take her Dalmatian in to see the vet begins to cry at the sight of this pitiful creature lying across the room from her.

While waiting for our turn to see the vet, we decide to give him a name. He is beautiful despite his condition and should be a strong, proud dog. Sampson is the name given to him at this time. We are afraid the vet may recommend euthanization for him and do not want him to die nameless.

Dr. Ellen examines Sampson inch by inch. She is very thorough in her examination, taking much time to make sure she doesn't miss anything. Sampson is patient and cooperates fully. Unbelievable, Sampson weighs over 70 lbs., although for a dog with his bone structure, he should weigh around 110 lbs. His heart is strong. He has frostbite on the tips of his ears, his toes, his legs, and the tip of his tail. The tip of his tail feels "dead" and may turn black and fall off. Sampson has many cuts and scrapes on his body, his fur is thin and missing in places, his toes are a wreck. He has a non-cancerous tumor under his tail that can be removed when he is strong enough to be neutered. His salivary glands are pronounced from starvation. Both back legs are very infected from the scrapes and frostbite. His temperature is over 103 degrees. Dr. Ellen tells us that his chances of making it are dependent upon his willingness to live, proper diet and time to heal. He is de-wormed and put on very powerful antibiotics.

Sampson eats about 5 lbs of kibble and several cans of dog food today as well as drinks gallons and gallons of water. He is still very weak and if he is not eating or going potty, he is curled up in his doghouse asleep. (dog houses are inside a heated building and used for privacy and comfort)