“I am Sam! Sam I am!”

By Sonjie Johnson for Sam's mom

“I am Sam! Sam I am!”

So starts Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss.

My grandkids and I had just finished reading this book when Sam, a
9-year-old fawn pug surrendered by a breeder came to stay with me before going to his foster, Janette Rohloff in Dresser, WI.

Sam was a big burly guy who looked exactly like Lou Asner.  He huffed, rather than snorted and because he was overweight at the time he huffed and rocked side to side. My grandkids thought he was hilarious and when they began to laugh, Sam huffed and lurched even harder.

“Sam I Am,” they called to him and he came. And Sam I Am he became.

In the book, Sam I Am tries to get the Cat in the Hat to eat green eggs and ham. At the end, the cat finds that he likes them and will eat them in the rain, in the dark, on a train, in a car, in a tree, in a box with a fox in a house with a mouse and so on. He says, “I do so like green eggs and ham, Thank you! Thank you! Sam I Am.”

Those of us who knew him also want to thank Sam I Am.  He showed everyone he touched a certain joy in being different.  I know he would have eaten green eggs and ham and loved every bite.

Janette fostered Sam I Am for many months. Recently, he became very ill and was diagnosed by Dr. Cole with underlying blood deficiencies and a heart condition that were untreatable.  After much soul searching and more than a few tears, Janette and her husband helped Sam I Am cross the Rainbow Bridge peacefully.  I Am Sam.  Sam I Am - he lives on in our hearts.