Sam 13.4.89 - 23.7.04
I lost my dear little soulmate today through illness. He was a dog in a million
and will always be with me. Words canot express my sorrow but he is now at peace.
Sam was snatched from death row by Mutts in Distress our local pound rescue society. When I saw him I fell in love with him immediately although he was in a poor condition. He had barked himself hoarse in the pound and the first night home he cried constantly, ate my best house plant and pooped in the living room! I briefly thought of taking him back but I perservered and how glad I am I did. Sam has the sweetest nature and is a gentle lad in spite of his bad start in life. The veterinarian judged Sam to be about 10 months old when I got him and is now over ll years of age. I took Sam to obedience classes and then on to agility lessons. He excelled in this sport and competed at Crufts Dog Show in agility for four years in a row. His highest award was to win Hill's Mini Agility Dog of the Year in 1996.
As he was a clever obedient little chap I wondered what else we might do together. I thought I would try film work so I rang the BBC and ITV and asked them which animal acting agencies they used. The bright spark on the other end said he thought the dog would have to be a member of Equity before he got work! In spite of this I got some names and telephoned them. I was told to send in photos but warned that black and dark coloured dogs did not usually get much work. Sam must have been the exception because the work did start to come in.
His first ever job was a Mothercare commercial with fifteen babies and their mums. We did O.K. His first big break was to get an audition for Granada TV's Briefest Encounter film starring Rik Mayall and Amanda Donohoe. We were up against lots of other canines and when it was our turn we had to meet the director, producer and other officials who asked me 'what has Sam done so far' He then had to perform his repertoire. Then I heard the words all actors dread - we will let you know! Fortunately they did and Sam got the part. Granada Television put Sam, Toby and myself up in a lovely four star hotel whilst filming took place and treated us very well. I was nervous and so was Sam but I think we managed to do what was required of us.
After that Sam took on lots of different roles. He has done Grange Hill, The Bill, The Tomorrow People, Mike & Angelo, Beadles About, Moving Story and Gamesworld. His film roles include walk on parts in Frankenstein and 101 Dalmations andhe has had featured roles in Toms Midnight Garden, out recently and his most famous role to date as Crabb in Shakespeare in Love. The cast and crew of this film treated us very well and although Sam's scenes look deceptively easy took a few weeks of rehearsal with the actors and props to attain the natural action you see on the screen especially where he has to misbehave in front of Queen Elizabeth 1 as played by Judi Dench. Not many pooches have the honour of appearing in an Oscar winning film!
However, I personally think the best thing he has ever done was a documentary for the Discovery Channel called How Animals Tell the Time. His performance was terrific and heartbreaking! I cried myself even although I know he was only acting! Lately he has done a couple of little bits in Steven Spielbergs Band of Brothers and also a l940's war saga. As time is marching on he goes more now for the character actor roles! As he has been there and done most of it these days he is retired from competitive agility. If a few more film roles come his way he will read the script and consider them! His is a real rags to riches saga. He is considering writing his memoires and obviously gives advice and acting lessons to his protegee Oz whose story is on the next page. Sam is one in a million and I feel privileged that fate decided he should come to me.
