I began my search for what would be my 4th Samoyed. I was open to finding a puppy or a younger dog to bring into my family. My last Sam, Yukon, passed away in 2012 at the age of 11. Being newly divorced and on my own, I was lonely. I really wanted a Samoyed. I joined groups for rescue Samoyeds on the East Coast, scanned the ads and sites, joined Facebook Groups. I made call after call to breeders, looking for information about their litters and availability. There wasn’t anything that had really clicked for me, nothing felt right. I had filled out application after application, but nothing became of it. I was discouraged and disappointed. Then a friend that I had met on Facebook sent me to Yvette. At first, I didn’t think that I would hear back from Yvette anytime soon. A few days later, she had received my application and we began discussing options. Just a little bit later I heard back that there was a boy that was being treated for a medical condition and would be available at the end of January. As it turned out, Yvette had arranged transport from Korea for him a whole month earlier than planned. I was surprised and excited, nervous and scared to death all at the same time! I wasn’t ready, but I was ready, and I knew that I couldn’t wait for him to get here! I felt like a new mother shopping for all the good stuff I was going to need for the new baby and I knew I was ready! We made the 4 hour driver to JFK in New York to pick him up, where we also met Bjorn’s (Owen) new mom and dad doing their pick-up. I think they were as apprehensive and excited as we were. Kanin was rambunctious and full of energy and absolutely handsome! I fell in love immediately. He is a bundle of energy and just loves to be around people. I call him the “Samoyed Ambassador” for the Eastern Shore of Maryland. We go to many different functions, town carnivals, festivals and parades. He even won “fluffiest dog” and “best rescue story” at the Oxford Day festival. I tell everyone his story and they are amazed. Right now, we are in the process of “Good Dog” training, with the goal of being a therapy dog. He visits the local nursing homes and hospice homes, brings smiles to the faces of everyone he meets. He brings a smile to my face every moment of every day, and I can’t imagine life without him now. – Carolyn Coyle
