What makes a hero?

Are they just victims of happenstance who simply perform, react or do their best when the worst is all around them?

Is it an inner strength that transcends adversity?

Can one prepare to do what is considered beyond normal boundaries of expectations?

Perhaps, it is more of an inner conviction stemming from determination, self preservation and pure resolve, or, just plain stubbornness to overcome the most severe obstacles that makes one a hero.

There was a hero born on Sept. 1, 2004 and his name is now Sampson named after the biblical hero whose strength was legendary.

On, or, about November 8, little Sampson was shot and left for dead in the woods of Ohio.

November 12, 2004, he was brought into the Bucyrus, Ohio shelter. Our hero was nearly starved, just skin and bone. A 3 month old puppy had survived 3 days alone with a gun shot wound, which, would have killed the strongest of dogs.

The bullet entered his side just below his rib cage, perforating through his colon, jejunum, spleen, 3 lobes of the liver and the stomach, before exiting out through his chest.

The shelter believed his injuries too severe and expensive to treat to keep the puppy alive.

Nancy, a shelter worker, wanted this puppy to live. She phoned Gail Lustig founder of the Goldstock Fund for help. Gail always finds a way to help and she did. Through the Goldstock organization, she found financial support from the newly formed Helen Redlus Memorial Fund to pay for this little boy's medical care.

The Horizon Animal Hospital of Galion Ohio agreed to treat little Sampson, but held little hope of his recovery. On the first night, they felt he had less than a 25% chance of surviving, since his wounds caused a massive systemic infection. To everyone's surprise, he survived that night and he stood for the first time the next day on weak and shaking little legs, to wag his tail. Each day his chance for survival increased as did everyone hopes of Sampson becoming a normal. active puppy.

Three days later, he was ready to leave the hospital. Gail contacted the only person she could think of who would be willing to take in a puppy who could possibly require further medical attention, which was Lana.

Lana never willing to let a dog in need go unattended was prepared to drive to Ohio to pick Sampson up and bring him on his next leg of the journey.

A good friend of Shore Hearts, Lynn Grenier who lives in Pennsylvania, was visiting family in that area of the country, offered to go out of her way to pick him up for his trip east.

There are so many pieces to the puzzle when transporting a dog but Sampson’s transport was completed late that evening.

Lana brought him by so I could meet this special and brave little fellow. She cared his tiny, frail, almost weightless frame curled in her arms from the car. He looked so uncertain of what was next.

He was as she described on the phone, he was fluff over bone. As I took him into my arms, I also took him into my heart. So unsure, yet he was so willing to believe.

I put him on the floor and watched as his little back legs moved so stiffly from the incision that ran the length of his belly.

As I got down on the floor with him, our little hero began to paw my hair and hand in puppy play and I knew all is well.

Our hero's innermost strength transcended adversity forced upon one so young and helpless.

He will never again be faced with the cruelties and horrors found in the worst of man, but from now on will learn to run and play in the safety and comfort of a loving family.

Sampson will be the beacon of light for Shore Hearts and will forever be recognized as our mascot and representative of what a canine hero truly is.

He is one special little boy!

By: Jeanne Perciaccanto

UPDATE!

2/15/05
Sampson was seen by our Vet, Laura Taylor back mid-January and received his vaccines and microchip in preparation of his adoption. We had been moving slowly over these past months waiting for the little guy to gain strength and be of substantial size. Well, the little porker now weighs 43 pounds. His coat has grown in and you no longer see the scar from the bullet wound in his side nor the incision site on his belly.

Sampson (Sammy) #050 was formally adopted by his foster family 1/31/05 and is staying on with his sister, Liza #027 in a very happy, active house that includes 2 teen-aged 2 legged siblings, Jessica and Michael. Sammy can look forward to a summer full of boating and swimming in the bay. Happy sailing Sammy and Liza