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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Ashland council to consider water rate surcharge, Welcome Center agreement Ashland High's Michelle Zundel heading to Medford district Jackson County district election turnout under 17 percent Makeover brings new look to old clinic Coffee with the editor Education Ashland High's Michelle Zundel heading to Medford district John Muir students need help producing eighth-grade yearbook Ashland High School seeks volunteers for 2015-16 Heading to Harvard Rising from the ashes Environment Demonstrators hope to save tree Documentary 'When Giants Fall' tells tragic story of elephant poaching Mt. Ashland Ski Area proposes summer adventure center Long drought, big storm make for a dirty Bear Creek Jackson County declares drought disaster Business Makeover brings new look to old clinic Cars We Remember: 1955 and 1956 Plymouth memories Ashland's CD Or Not CD will carry on Sawyer Paddles sues manufacturer, alleging breach of contract Ashland seminars focus on employment law Politics and elections Ashland council to consider water rate surcharge, Welcome Center agreement Jackson County district election turnout under 17 percent Arthur I. Cyr: Camp David summit will not help Mideast stability City of Ashland to consider making recorder position appointive, not elective Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection State News Oregon's snowpack at just 11 percent of average Lack of snow nixes ski portion of popular Central Oregon race Bill under debate in Oregon would limit livestock antibiotics Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Obituaries Death Notices Patricia Carole-Mae Perrin Alpha W. Crews Brian Erskine Fletcher Nita Day Shareable Check out top import and export for every U.S. state Patriots fan sets up GoFundMe page to help pay for team's Deflategate fine Sports Latest Stories AHS decathlete Thompson-Siporen overcomes knee surgery to shine at districts George Barnes: We need to help free Tom Brady O'Brien, Kim claim MWL doubles title Kelly McElroy: I hate this ‘game’ App Finder: Best cycling apps High school AHS decathlete Thompson-Siporen overcomes knee surgery to shine at districts O'Brien, Kim claim MWL doubles title Thompson-Siporen earns three MWL titles in first day of district meet Ashland heads to Eugene for MWL district meet Ayers pitches Eagles past Grizzlies Southern Oregon University O'Brien, Kim claim MWL doubles title Ashland heads to Eugene for MWL district meet Raiders Maguin, Parks, Sanders highlight first day of CCC track meet SOU lands two on all-CCC softball team See you in August Voices Latest Stories Letters to the Editor, May 19 Council Corner: Please help me with my list Granlund cartoon: Memorial Day and Uncle Sam George Barnes: We need to help free Tom Brady Lloyd Garver: The Apple Watch - good birth control? Editorial Other Views: Vaccine rate improves Our View: Focus on the basics Our View: Elected or appointed? Our View: Change is brewing Our View: Forest work is a bargain Letters Letters to the Editor, May 19 Letters to the Editor, May 14 (No heading) Letters to the editor: Tuesday, May 12 Letters to the Editor, May 8 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Ambrose spins a conservative fantasy Guest Opinion: Restoring the Plaza's sense of place Guest Opinion: Making conservation a game Guest Opinion: A good day to act Columns Council Corner: Please help me with my list George Barnes: We need to help free Tom Brady Chris Honoré: The journey of the African elephant Herb Rothschild Jr.: An appalling budget Jeffrey Gillespie: Shame on the high seas Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Ashland Calendar, Thursday, May 14 4 Things To Do This Weekend Movie listings: May 15-21 Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum at The Mountain House Steve Poltz, Grant-Lee Phillips at Old Ashland Armory Theater Ashland-originated plays to tour throughout country Ticket Availability Ticket availability Ticket Availability Departing Ashland Independent Film Festival programmer talks about what makes a good movie Music The Farr Side: Contest open for singer-songwriters The Farr Side: Mumford & Sons’ latest is full-on rock Interview: Country singer Suzy Bogguss enjoying life on the road The Farr Side: CMAs do it right, in many ways Interview: Offspring plays hits new and old on tour Visual Art Movies Documentary 'When Giants Fall' tells tragic story of elephant poaching Movie review: ‘Mad Max’ is a fresh, fantastic approach to a classic idea Your A-to-Z guide to the ‘Mad Max’ franchise Movie listings: May 15-21 'Wild Tales' is twisted, dark and lovely Food and Drink Taqueria Picaro takes over Tabu space Owner of Mix and Amuse to bring Flip burger joint to Ashland Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Dr. Elaine Heffner: Teaching values Food for Thought: Grapes deliver sweet healthy goodness Community Blog: God's sigh: the breath of peace Sid McKeen: A bumper crop of idle observations Cars We Remember: 1955 and 1956 Plymouth memories Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Mocha Musings Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Council Corner: Please help me with my list ... Ashland council to consider water rate surcharge, Welcome Center agreement ... Ashland High's Michelle Zundel heading to Medford district ... Council Corner: Please help me with my list ... Ashland council to consider water rate surcharge, Welcome Center agreement ... Ashland High's Michelle Zundel heading to Medford district ... Barbara Presnell: The life, legacy of Sam, a little white dog Comment By Barbara Presnell More Content Now DailyTidings.com By Barbara Presnell More Content Now Posted May. 15, 2015 at 9:37 AM Updated May 15, 2015 at 9:38 AM By Barbara Presnell More Content Now Posted May. 15, 2015 at 9:37 AM Updated May 15, 2015 at 9:38 AM » Social News When we came home from the vet’s office with only Sam’s collar, Arty knew. He’d spent the last two days in the house and yard by himself without her, and during the two days before that, when she was so weak she could barely rise up from her gray blanket in the living room, he kept a respectful distance. But this was different. This was her collar, you could almost hear him say. He moved in close, sniffed it hard from tip to buckle, then suddenly backed away, sat and then lay on the floor, his head down. He knew. Sam was his constant companion for all six years of his life. “Sam taught Arty how to be a dog,” said our neighbor and dear friend Carolyn, who loves them both as much as we do. Then she wasn’t much of a teacher, you might be thinking, when you consider Arty, his insecurities, his teeth bared to the world. “But imagine what he’d have been like without her,” said my husband, Bill, who, more than anyone in this last chapter of her life, was Sam’s person. Thing about Sam is everybody was her person. We first knew her as “Samantha,” the little dog our neighbor Clifton Young used to walk around in the park, her ears bouncing, her whole body as happy as could be. Her long snout seemed almost like an anteater’s, especially paired with her short Corgi-Basset hound legs, and she kept it to the ground, moving curiously from smell to smell. Usually unleashed, she stayed close to Clifton, which is what attracted me to her. When Clifton died, I said to Bill, “I wonder what they’re going to do with that little dog?” Next thing I knew, that little dog was in my back yard with a red ribbon around her neck. It was Valentine’s Day. We’d just lost an old dog, Annie, and our remaining pup Langston was heartbroken. But I was enjoying the responsibility of only one dog and only one cat. I didn’t want another dog. That’s how she became Bill’s dog. “She’s the only dog I could ever really call my very own,” Bill said. Growing up with three brothers, the family dog always belonged to everybody. But Sam and Bill were a pair. Sam wasn’t a cuddler, but you could find her every now and then in Bill’s arms. Or you’d find them out for a walk together or having a “play date” with a Corgi friend. Bill and Sam had a routine. In the morning, Bill would let both dogs out and then treat them both with a cookie. In Sam’s later days, that cookie became a small bowl of soft food, and she wouldn’t leave Bill’s side until she got it. When we walked at night after dinner, Bill held Sam’s leash. “Sam, we’re walking,” he’d say over and over, especially in her later years, as she liked to tuck that long snout into every bush or clump of grass or pine needles we passed. But when she walked, her little ears bounced, her crooked Corgi legs springing with every step. At first, when we brought puppy Arty home, Sam was bigger than the frisky pup who thought this older white dog was his playmate. It didn’t take long for Arty to become twice her size. Arty had his own little bed. Sam could walk the edge of the walls, sidle up to that bed, and before Arty knew what had happened, she’d be curled up in it, and Arty would be completely befuddled. For most of her life, Sam could take over a bowl of food in the same way, and Arty would simply step aside. Later in her life, when Sam became hard of hearing, she needed Arty to wake her in the morning and evening, needed Arty to find her in the back yard when it was time to come in, needed Arty to let her know it was time to walk. All we’d have to do is say, “Arty, get Sam,” and off he’d go, yipping and barking, and soon enough Sam would come bouncing up, herded by Arty. They say that dogs and their owners share personalities. Arty is my dog. He’s a bit crazy, unpredictable, all over the place. Sam, though, like Bill, her person, was quiet, sweet and loved by everybody. Even small children knew they could come right up to Sam and give her a hug. You could just see it in her eyes. When she’d had enough, she’d let you know it with a strong showing of teeth and a high-pitched growl. On the day after she died, Bill spent four hours digging a hole through red clay. He dug almost all the way to China, cutting out roots, and removing rocks. Afterward, he spread pine needles liberally around the raised mound. Now at night when we walk, his hand has no leash to hold. Arty sleeps late, gets up slowly. He has no little dog to wake up in the morning, no little dog to herd out the back door. It’s as though both man and dog have lost a purpose. That little white dog will be here in spirit for a long time, and she’ll be here forever in our hearts. Barbara Presnell is a poet and teacher of writing who lives in Lexington, N.C. Contact her at barbarapresnell.com. By Barbara Presnell More Content Now DailyTidings.com By Barbara Presnell More Content Now Posted May. 15, 2015 at 9:37 AM Updated May 15, 2015 at 9:38 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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