We’ve had Sampson for about a year now and he is nowhere like the dog we first got.

Once we weaned him off of the Prozac that he’d been on for three years, a normal dog emerged. From being a “crazy” he has become a cuddle-bug. From not liking people, he now believes that people were put on this planet to pet him and he wants to meet everyone he sees.

He selected us. During his introduction visit, I gave him a double ear rub. Very soon, he came back for another and then gave me a “kiss” on the nose. He came back several times. He wants to be near his people and most nights sleeps in the room with us. He has socialized to the point that he wants to meet people who come into the house so that they can pet him.

When he wants something, he follows us around vocalizing and trying to lead us to what he wants. He hasn’t socialized with other dogs, but screams when he sees one and wants to go to it — not a candidate for a dog park.

When walked in our neighborhood, he knows where all the “bunnies” live. I hung a bird feeder in a tree outside our living room window. He stares at it — I call it “Dog TV.”

We’re gonna keep him.

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