Dear friends, the responsibility to step forward and asking questions can lead to truths that break your heart. Such as the whole saga of discovering snoopydowg's demise, and the aftermaths' effect on Sam. I could not sleep well or stop crying without answers.
The authorities cannot ever disclose Tracy's approximate date or cause of death to anyone not related to Tracy. No such person exists. I did confirm there is no associated criminal investigation, so the cause was either accident or natural. They had no cause to look at her phone, ipad, or personal papers.
Friends, we will never know the when, how, or why. At least we know that much.
As for Sam, at this time, and maybe forever, she is unadoptable. She would not allow a human to touch her for 17 days. The only treat she had accepted was passed through a cage. She would not leave her kennel. She would not accept being leashed. She bit back at it. Possibly more.
Sam is not leash trained, doesn't respond to customary commands, such as "sit" or "come". There is no evidence she is house broke. There is no evidence she has ever been put in a crate.
We should have expected this. To Tracy, Sam was a friend, an equal, and not subject to control. One doesn't control one's best friend, no such thing as master. One let's their friends be free. Sam expressed herself, and Tracy wanted that more than anything in the world. Both were so happy, such caring and loving friends.
The police officer I spoke with last said she was present when Animal Control retrieved Sam. She said, after I explained I had promised to take care of Sam, "You are the one who saved the dog's life. You have fulfilled your promise to Ms. Baker. Leave the dog where she is, and know she will always be in good hands." This suggests to me there was a tussle, which comports with what the animal shelter point person said happens when attempts are made to put her on a leash.
I have searched all my emails from Tracy, and nothing suggests Sam has been vaccinated for rabies or anything else, and any vet records are locked away in her home, not available to anyone until Nevada puts into action the taking by the state of everything Tracy owned. This is know as "escheat". Only the State of Utah can know, and that will be months, maybe a year or more from now.
May Sam live long, cross that Rainbow Bridge, and join her beloved Tracy on the Other Side. Efforts to get some local to visit her every day to get her trust are being pursued for future adoption.
Airlines have regulations, such as tags, health certificate, vaccination records, and leash. That is for the non-direct flight cargo regulations. And then Texas has regulations. It is not legal in my county for a dog outside a fence to be unleashed.
Sam will be fine even if the shelter sees her out of this world. I was made that promise by the shelter's director.
Tracy was so brave, so defiant when necessary, so kind and loving when called for. She was assured by her step-dad throughout her childhood that she was an idiot. She surprised herself and proved him very, very wrong. Let's all yell, "Ron, you were the idiot!"
We are all at a loss, because we suffered a loss. We know a dawg is in need of Tracy, but Tracy only exists in our hearts and minds. None of us know how to be Sam's equal. We know being in control, because none of us lived Tracy's life, walked in her shoes. She had valid reasons for her decisions.
Many years ago, there was a time when I was alone, and I was concerned someone might actually try to hold a funeral for me. I couldn't stand the thought of sermons, hymns, and eulogies.
I instructed anyone who cared about me to just shut up, and play this, the sound of life, the quiet struggles, the the joyous rise in defiance, the final peace.
I am giving over my own final song to my dear friend and my thoughts until I die to Tracy, the song that I will never play for myself. Tracy Ann Baker deserves it more than I.