Sampson Safety

I've mentioned before that we have a dog. I also mentioned that I felt we weren’t doing a very good job at giving him the attention he needed. Our life had been flipped upside down when we found out I was expecting, and then we moved right next door to my parents who aren’t big “dog lovers”. After that he killed the cat which made my family a bit angry with him. Ok, a lot angry with him. So he was turned into a permanent outside dog. Well, as we all know, life got even more busy once Emery started walking AND once I started school. So, I really had no idea if we could keep the promise to spend more time with him.

But, we’re making the effort. We aren’t giving Sampson up and we want him to be a part of this family. Well, as much of a part as a dog can be. So, my first step in that direction was to officially bring him back to being an indoor dog, part time. When we’re home he comes in, when we’re out he stays in his outdoor pen. We’ve gotten a few protests from my family due to “safety” involving Emery. I’ve taken everything into consideration and as I’ve stated before that no matter what breed a dog is, they’re still animals. I’m fully aware of this, and I’ve taken some precautions to try to make sure that nothing ever happens.

• Emery is never alone with Sampson.
• He’s not allowed near her when there’s food involved.
• She’s not allowed to hit, bite, or pull on any part of him.
• And we have his crate ready for when he needs his “alone time” to relax without having a toddler running around wanting to pet him (so long as his pillow is in there he usually refuses to come out at all anyway)
• We’re also recently showed Emery how to pet and not slap at him. 
• She can give him kisses, one is usually enough, and there’s no grabbing his mouth.

Now, I know that this isn’t a 100% secure plan that he won’t ever do anything. I’ve read all of the horror stories, all of the accidents, and I know that tragedies happen. But I feel like I’m taking all of the right steps when it comes to having any kind of pet inside the home. Sampson’s personality has always been gentle and laid back (until we go outside and he wants to play). He’s always wanting his belly rubbed, and he LOVES to cuddle. But I understand that we won’t ever know him 100% because, well...he’s a dog. Still, Sampson was always a part of our lives, and I don’t want to change that. I want him to feel like he’s truly loved, because we do really love him.

Just because we had Emery, doesn't  mean that we can't still have Sampson as our pet. It just means that we have to be more disciplined, and responsible. So, I’m really looking forward to these changes. I’m looking forward to having Sampson back in our daily lives.