Paws for Pets: Farewell to Tom’s best friend

Our neighborhood just recently lost Samson — a truly amazing cat who resided at Tom and Ruth Clerc's home. 
 Tom "adopted" Samson from a shelter in Colorado. For over 15 years Samson gave as much love as he received. Samson was the stabilizing factor in the lives of Tom and Ruth as they went through recent health problems. With Ruth's recent move to the Hearthstone, Tom and Samson became even closer and were best friends.
 Several months ago Tom was hospitalized for a number of weeks. Tom asked me if I knew anyone who could check on Samson while he was gone. I said, "Yes, I think there is someone" who would do that. So began my relationship with Samson. Every morning and every evening I would make my daily rounds to feed Samson, give him his twice daily arthritis pill, change his water, and clean his litter box. And more personal things such as seeing that his back side was clean. There was a reason for this. Those who knew Samson know right away; but for those of you who were not fortunate enough to have been introduced to Samson I will only say that due to his size he could not reach all of his daily personal needs. You see Samson weighed 28 lbs. He had massive shoulders and this little tiny head. When he walked, he swayed from side to side. And before you jump to conclusions, Samson was on a low weight dry diet. Tom was diligent in only giving treats that were less than one calorie per treat and his special diet was over seen by the staff at Gloysteins.
 I knew Samson was spoiled when I watched him "lay down" next to his food and water. He ate from an elevated food dish. He didn't like to stand and the elevated dish it was level with his head. Samson even had his "favorite" litter. I never tested the waters, I just purchased what Tom said Samson preferred.
Samson and I grew to be very good friends, after his grooming, feeding and med's were taken care of I would put his leash on and he would saunter around in Tom's backyard, lifting his head to sniff the air, checking out the various spots on the patio before laying down to catch a few of the suns rays. Each evening I would call Tom and Samson would get close to the phone receiver and when he would hear Tom's voice, his "motor" would kick in and he would butt the receiver as was his mode of conversation. 
During one of our conversations Tom said that he wished he had a full view screen door on his kitchen so Samson could watch the birds and squirrels lying on the floor. He thought that Samson would be less lonely if he could see out more easily. That was easy to solve, the door was purchased and Bob and Gary installed it within a few days. And I reported that yes, Samson did enjoy lying and watching the activities in the yard although he enjoyed it more when lying on a soft layer of towels. Tom then said maybe he would enjoy the front door with a full view. Again, Bob and Gary stalled a full view screen door on the front door. Now Samson could look out not only on the patio, but on the drive way and street. Just think all of this was done without communication. Samson's needs and wants were met without a single word being said. Just those gold eyes watching Tom's every move and Tom in tune with his needs.
 I had thought about bringing Samson to our house but with all the other cats and kittens I thought he would be most happy in his own home. Bringing him here would be like taking "grandma" to stay at a child care facility. Too much commotion and noise, besides he wouldn't have his king size bed to curl up in, complete with little steps up the side so he didn't have to jump up or down. I can still see him lumbering down the hallway from the bedroom when I called his name. He was such a regal cat if you could overlook the swinging belly, oversized front shoulders and his attitude saying "I'm the bomb.”
Today is a sad day ... today Tom did his last and most loving thing for Samson. Samson was diagnosed this week with kidney failure and although medical care was given immediately the diagnosis was not good. Tom told me that he would not allow his loyal friend Samson to suffer. So today, with his daughter Conny and her husband Pat, Tom made the difficult trip to Gloysteins and with compassion and understanding, Dr. Jennifer stopped the suffering of Samson. Today Samson crossed over the "Rainbow Bridge.” And today our neighborhood and acquaintances of Tom's family mourn with Tom, the passing of a very special cat.