Sam, a 13-year-old white German Shepherd, spent his whole life with one owner.
But unfortunately, his life shattered into a million pieces when his owner deployed to the Navy and surrendered Sam to a shelter.
Sam was often overlooked at the shelter since he was so old. Day after day, he sat in his kennel at the shelter, watching visitors leave with puppies and kittens. He remained unwanted, and staff grew worried that no one would ever adopt him.
As the days passed by, nothing had changed. The shelter decided it’d be best to euthanize Sam since it didn’t seem like he was going to be adopted, and they needed to clear space for new dogs.
At the same time, a 93-year-old Navy veteran George Johnson was searching for a white German Shepherd after his own had passed away, leaving him feeling sad and lonely. He inquired about one with the German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County, but they didn’t have any white ones at the moment.
They did, however, hear about Sam who was all the way in Arizona. They let Johnson know about Sam, and he wanted to meet him right away.
A volunteer from the rescue drove all the way from California to Arizona to get Sam. Once he and Johnson met in person, it was love at first sight. Johnston knew instantly that it was meant to be!
Petco Foundation even gave Sam a holiday shopping spree so he could go to his new forever home chock-full of goodies!
Johnson saved Sam from euthanasia, but Johnson believes the same saved him as well.
“Sam has made a tremendous impact on my life. I have someone to love, someone to talk to, and someone to look after,” Johnson told Petco. “I’ve received a few medals, ribbons and commendations during my Naval career, but this dog fills my heart more than all of them put together.”
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