thoughts & prayers | Everybody Loves Sammy

Remy is a Miracle

Posted on February 19, 2017 by Dr. Harp Seal

Good evening friends.

We have a very special story tonight. Please say hello to Remy, a beautiful sweet Schnauzer. The story of Remy is truly a story of miracles.

Remy belongs to our great friends, Deb Dun Magathan and her husband, Larry, both retired now living on the Jersey Shore. They were originally from Pennsylvania

Deb and her family are big time animal lovers. Over the years they have had many many dogs and several kinds of other animals too, including a pig named, Miss Higgins. They always had mini schnauzers up until their last angel passed about a year ago.

One night, Deb’s daughter, Samantha, excitedly texted her about a mini Schnauzer she saw on Facebook. When Deb saw the dog she immediately showed Larry and they immediately knew they had to have him in their lives.

Here’s where it got a little Dicey. Deb had no idea Remy was in Korea and the post had been 12 hours old already. There were many people who wanted Remy.

Deb quickly reached out over FB messenger to Patti Kim in California. Patti works with Jindo Love Rescue for Korean Dogs and Patti could tell how bad Deb and Larry wanted Remy, and picked them.

From there, on January 13th, 2016, Remy flew 19 hours from Korea to JFK International in New York What a little trooper this little fella is.

Remy had a rough life before he was rescued by Jindo Love Rescue. He was being physically abused by the owner’s boyfriend. She gave him up to a kill shelter. This kill shelter sells the dogs to the meat traders in Korea. This is not against the law there in Korea. Jindo Love goes to these places, rescues the dogs and finds homes for them. Deb mentioned that Remy is such a happy lovebug, you’d never know he’d been abused. Animals are so grateful like that.

Sammy & Family has written about the dog and cat meat trade throughout Asia many times over the years. Had this miracle not taken place, Remy was either going to be put down, or worse off, end up circulating in the dog meat trade destined for a horrific ending. An unspeakable ending.

Quick mention on Jindo Love Rescue.

In order to facilitate these rescues from Korea, Patti Kim out of California and their point person in Shanghai China, Su, coordinate with their fosters in Korea and miraculously bring dogs to the states for a brand new life.

Jindo Love is not a nonprofit or registered organization. They are a group of individuals who pool their own money to rescue dogs from the dog meat trade and high kill shelters.

Sammy & Family wants to thank Deb and Larry for making the world a better place several animals at a time.

We also want to thank Patti Kim and Jindo Love for their tireless commitment towards getting innocent dogs out of Korea and into loving families and homes stateside.

In a world with so much pain, thank God we have incredible people and organizations like this on the front lines for animals everyday.

None of us can change everything, but everyone can change something. A random act of kindness may not change the world, but it changes the world for the recipients of that kindness.

No lives will go in vain. No pain will go unnoticed. Scott Smith for Sammy & Family.

Kristin to the Rescue

Posted on January 1, 2017 by Dr. Harp Seal

Good evening friends.

We have a very special visitor tonight. This is our great friend, Kristin, and her rescue, Jaqen. — Kristin actually rescued Jaqen and his brother, Jon, who is not in the picture. They are 8 months old now and were raised by a foster after their mother died.

These two cats were graced with two miracles. Firstly, with their foster, and secondly, when Kristin took them in permanently. The worst is officially behind them.

Sammy & Family met Kristin a few years back while she was visiting NYC. She’s a big time animal lover.

I really love this picture. I found it very moving. Animals are so healing. They really have a calming affect on people

One night Kristin wrote a story for our friends from around the world called, “No thanks, I’ll sit with the dog” — The story is about a person who had social anxieties and took comfort in sitting next to a dog at a house party one night.

Kristin, thank you for sharing this picture with us. More importantly, thank you for making the world a better place, two rescues at a time.

None of us can change everything, but everyone can change something. And Kristin did just that by offering Jaqen and Jon a great life.

Friends, if anyone ever wants to share their pet’s or family’s story with us, we would be happy to write about it and post it throughout our platforms. We also would be honored to write prayer requests for animals and people in need. We also do really nice tributes for lost loved ones, both animals and people again.

As many of you already know, we’ve been writing across these topics for years. I personally find it very healing and humbling writing prayers and tributes. The people requesting the prayers and / or tributes have always found it soothing as well.

I hope everyone had a marvelous New Years Day. Signing off from Puerto Rico, Scott Smith for Sammy & Family.

Prayers for Spunky

Posted on November 6, 2016 by Dr. Harp Seal

Good evening friends.

This little Pomeranian, Spunky, is fighting for his life right now. He’s 15 years old and his fighting heart disease and his kidneys are failing.

Spunky is member of our friends Don and Cindy Volz. Don is in this picture post with Spunky. Don had a pretty serious accident two years ago and Spunky never left his side when he came home from the hospital. Cindy even smuggled him into the hospital while Don was recovering. Spunky was big part of Don’s recovery and became the family hero.

This little hero needs our prayers now. Sammy & Family is really pulling for this little soldier. We need a big time miracle.

Keep up posted Don and Cindy. We’ll be praying for Spunky. Hang tough. Anything can happen on any given day.

Scott Smith for Sammy & Family.

Rest In Peace KoKo

Posted on October 1, 2016 by Dr. Harp Seal

Good evening friends.

Tonight we pay tribute to a fallen angel named, KoKo. As many of you know, KoKo was a member of Janice Knecht Kolb & Family. He was one of four Poodles and is now survived by Mahlee, Kwinn and Kleiner.

This was a very tough day for the Kolb family. This morning in the very early hours KoKo had a seizure. Janice took him to the vet and returned home with Kolb by 9 am. Hoping to see improvement and watching him closely, KoKo remained disoriented. By 10 am, there was still no improvement. He was very uncomfortable, breathing heavy and kept getting up and moving to other spots all the while staying within Janice’s sight.

At 11 am, he slowly wobbled over to the office room and laid down. It was here when KoKo stopped breathing. Our dogs have incredible courage and loyalty. Even in their demise they think of us first. KoKo didn’t want to Janice to see him die. He decided to go into another room and spare her the pain.

Dogs know what to do when its their time. Vanessa has told me several times dogs do not fear death. They only fear hurting their human families.

Koko will be cremated on Monday. He will join Savannah (Pom), Tinkerbelle (Yorkie), and my 2 Dobies, Kassie and Kyzer on my bookcase. He would have been 10 on Feb. 26, 2017.

When Janice and I spoke today, she said life will never be the same without KoKo. We can all relate to that. Janice is very grateful to still have her other 3 poodles to console her.

Sammy & Family wants to thank Janice for making the world a better place, several animals at a time. Janice has been a big time friend to animals her whole life.

No lives will go in vain. No pain will go unnoticed. Amen. Scott Smith for Sammy & Family.

Bailey and Charlie lead us out tonight

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Dr. Harp Seal

Good evening friends.

Say hello to Bailey and his new sister Charlie. They belong to our great friend Linda Richard-LaBrot. Linda was kind enough to chime in on Poppy Rocky Tuesday with all the hope and possibilities that surround us.

We have shared the story of how the Pops and Rocky got off to a very rough start in life, and thanks to Hope and possibilities, miracles took place.

Tonight we share a miracle names Charlie. Charlie is the dog laying on the couch in the back. She started her life out on the streets and now is part of a loving family and home. It reminds us humans that when we rescue an animal, they rescue us. We call that a Win Win. We like those.

So Linda, this one’s for you for making the world a better place, one animal at a time.

No lives will go in vain. No pain will go unnoticed. Amen. Dr. Harp Seal for Sammy & Family.

Poppy Rocky Tuesday evening on May 10th, 2016

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Dr. Harp Seal

Good evening friends.

Thank you for stopping by. We hope everyone had a nice Poppy Rocky Tuesday. Life was good today on May 10th, 2016.

In continuing the spirit of Poppy Rocky Tuesday’s, we will stay with the theme of Hope and Possibilities. I really have come to love Tuesdays. Hope is an incredible resource in this life. Let’s take a closer look at why Hope is so important.

When someone feels down and out and in total despair, they feel hopeless. They don’t see a way out. And yet another person, with the same circumstances, feels hopeful. So its no surprise whose life is on the upswing and whose is not.

How do you get hope if you feel hopeless ? That is the million dollar question. The answer can be many things. But to name a few; a great night sleep can do miracles for your perspective. Reaching out to family or a friends can lift someone’s spirits. Just a few key words or phrases from the right person can changes a person’s thinking in an instant.

Taking it slow until you feel grounded again. Nobody needs to make life altering decisions when we feel so down. When we realize that, it takes the pressure off of trying to rebound to quickly. Taking a walk helps. They say when we move muscles, we can change our thoughts. Also is important is take deep breaths.

Small tweaks, big gains. All of these tools are actionable, doable and effective.

We will see you in the morning. Day 477 in Puerto Rico and day 167 since we rescued Rocky. Scott Smith for Sammy & Family.

Easter Evening and Animal Welfare

Posted on March 27, 2016 by Dr. Harp Seal

Good evening friends.

Thank you for stopping by. We hope everyone had a nice Easter weekend. Sammy boy came to say to goodnight.

Sammy hangs his head with humility this evening. He knows that too many animals don’t have a warm and safe place to sleep. Many years ago I told him about the plight of the animals and that it was Not all Rose Gardens for them.

As a result of those conversations we used to have, Sammy is very conscientious and in tuned with Animal Welfare issues.

A lot of life can be just random luck. Take Rocky for example, I decided to take Sammy, Henry and Patrick for a walk, and next think I know this stray dog just decided to walk with us. When we stopped, he stopped, when we walked, he walked.

How many animals get that lucky ? The answer is not enough of them. Nobody can change everything, but everyone can change something.

In the lyrics of the late great Micheal Jackson in 1988; ♫♫♫ Make that change ♫♫♫

No lives will go in vain. No pain will go unnoticed. Amen. Dr. Harp Seal.

Vanessa and Madonna

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Dr. Harp Seal

Good evening friends.

Thanks for dropping by tonight. We hope everyone had a nice day. This is Vanessa at the Madonna concert on Thursday night last week. Shes been a Madonna fan since 1985. Let me do the math for you please, that’s 31 years. Vanessa is a serious Madonna fan.

Speaking of Madonna, has this woman every taken a break ? I mean she is literally a machine. Shes had about 50 off the chart hits and has been touring for more than 3 decades. Madonna should do her own version of Frank Sinatra’s song; “I did it My Way” — Because nobody did it their way like Madonna did and still does.

She is one of the biggest legends on Earth, no doubt about it. Of course I would Not put her in Stallone’s league, but the fact that Stallone’s league is even considered for Madonna, what bigger compliment is there than that.

To Madonna, Sammy & Family would like to offer you “The Stallone Achievement award, not the Lifetime Achievement Award, but the “Stallone Achievement Award” — There is no higher award than that.

Oh that’s right, my wife is in this post. Let me get back to her. Vanessa has been going to the gym over 2 years now, 6 days a week. Two hours per session. That is not an exaggeration to get some “Oooh and “Ooh and aah’s”. Personally I think that is insane, but she puts the “D” in Dedication, she puts the “C” in Commitment, and she puts the “E” in Excellence.

What achievement do I get you ask ? Great question. I have been told I am the greatest Mr. Mom that ever lived. I think that counts for something, lol. Well our 6 dogs do anyway.

Signing off from Puerto Rico on Day 388, and day 75 since we rescued Rocky, Dr. Harp Seal for Sammy & Family.

P.S. — This Picture is the property of Sammy & Family, lol.

Prayers for Becky Flynn and Family

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Dr. Harp Seal

Good evening friends.

Tonight we say prayers for Becky Flinn and Family. Becky’s sister, Liz passed away about 4:30 pm this late afternoon. Liz had brain and lung cancer. Becky and i have connected several times the last couple of weeks. Liz was just diagnosed with cancer three weeks ago, unfortunately the cancer was is in its advanced stages already. Becky and I spoke about how this was more than likely the end. The thing about losing loved ones, knowing or not, it still just pulls the rug right from under you. Its a shocking experience no matter how much in the know we are. When they actually pass, it just seems surreal.

This is the same day Becky’s mom passed away from throat cancer 16 years ago today. She is in such despair right now. Becky also lost her son at birth many years back. If this is not an example of a person being tested, I don’t know what is. She mentioned to me that her brother will probably be coming to get her tomorrow so they can all be together.

This is an important notion to remember when we lose loved ones. All that life that we lived and shared with our fallen loved ones is forever. Nobody can take that away from any of us. That’s what memories are made up of, and what memories are for. The fact that they are now gone does Not mitigate the lives we shared with them.

Sammy & Family and our friends from around the world have Becky and Family in our thoughts and prayers. Becky you’re not alone, we are all by your side right now. Thousands of people that will be reading this prayer tonight will be thinking of you. Those thoughts can move mountains. Hang in there. Its one foot in front of other until you feel OK. During this mourning perios, time will ease your pain. Please stay closely connected during these next couple of days and weeks.

Life works in mysterious ways. I just put up a post today that we need to do more collective praying. I posted that because many people I know passed away this last year. Also friends of friends have passed, and i know several terminally ill people right now.

Sammy & Family’s evening Posts are on call for any prayers that are needed 7 nights a week. All other posts can always be posted on another night. Prayers come first. Whether its for animals, people or ourselves, all pray requests are welcome. Please don’t be shy. Our collective prayers can make a difference. My email is; smith7024@yahoo.com.

I will close with this; I want to thank all the loved one’s that I personally lost this past year for gracing me with their time while they were alive. What a privilege that was. What a gift they gave to me. I hope all of you can extrapolate what I just said into your own lives.

No lives will go in vain, no pain will go unnoticed. Scott Smith for Sammy & Family.

Day 377 here in Puerto Rico

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Dr. Harp Seal

Good evening friends.

Thank you for stopping by. Its always appreciated. Day 377 here in Puerto Rico. Now is that a number or what ? Today is day 65 since we rescued Rocky off the streets on November 19th, 2015. That’s an even better number.

We hope everyone had a nice week. Its nice to throw the hat and coat on the rack until Monday. So we hear there is a big storm coming to the Northeast. Hopefully the media is blowing it out proportion like they love to do. Nonetheless it always makes sense to play it safe. The media loves drama even if wrecks people’s lives sometimes. Pretty pathetic actually. Anyway that is there business.

Our business is to deescalate negativity and escalate positive progress. If there is no progress, then we just need some patience. What we don’t do is walk backwards and into the storm again.

So its Friday night, and the freedom in the air is beautiful. We have no boundaries on the weekends. What shall we do, or not do if one desires. No boundaries in a constructive way I mean of course. No boundaries does not mean blacking out for 3 days and nights and waking up in strange places. So take that “freedom” point I made with a grain of salt.

OK, lets kick this weekend off with two positive Notions.

1. If I can’t control what people think about me, why would it let it bother me. That’s like voluntarily sending ourselves to prison. What any of us do that ? No, we would not.

2. If your week did Not go that well, try Not to ruminate on it. If you do your getting kicked in the butt twice, wasn’t once enough ? Its over, try to let it go. With a good night sleep you’ll feel refreshed by tomorrow morning.

Signing off from Puerto Rico, Dr. Harp Seal for Sammy & Family.

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