When we collected the boys, Sam was absolutely terrified of his brother who was constantly bullying him :(  We instantly separated them and his brother was adopted by his fosterer who couldn't bear to part with him. Sam was fostered as an only dog and was very nervous but was gaining in confidence daily.  He was then joined by a pup who had a home to go to, also named Sam!!!  Since having a friend Sam  came on in leaps and bounds and seemed to have found something to live for :))  To that extent, we decided that Sam must be homed with another confident dog to aid his rehabilitation.  He is a very affectionate dog that just needed a kind and gentle hand to teach him that not everything in this world is to be feared. 

This is what his first fosterer, Andy, had to say about him: "Sam's a very handsome Goldie, of maybe 6'ish. He's had a rough time up to yet, left outside and, it seems, bullied by his brother. As a result he's very nervous of everything. We've had him for nearly two weeks now and he improves every day, gaining a little bit of confidence. This took a bit of a leap when little Sam came to stop with us for a short while, and clearly Sam is happier with some doggie company. He's a friendly thing, who loves fuss and cuddles and has a lot of love to give. He still has a way to go, and he's scared of any loud noises or sudden movements, and isn't confident enough yet to go for walks, as cars frighten him. 

He'd love a home with another dog for company, who can show him there's nothing to be scared of any more. Ideally somewhere fairly quiet, with 'car free' walks close by where he can gain his confidence."  

Sam then moved on to another fosterer, Kate, where he lived with children and had the company of a young and friendly female dog before being rehomed to Gwen in Hertfordshire.                                      

UPDATE FROM HIS FOREVER MUM, GWEN 

Well, that was three and a half years ago. I picked Sam up on the 10th March, 2006 and we renamed him Casey.  Kate told me in the two weeks they had had him, he had only been out of the front door on two occasions and both times was terrified. 

I met Andy at our first reunion in September 2006 and, when he realised which dog it was, he was very surprised and said he never ever expected to see Casey out let alone at the reunion six months on.  I learnt that whilst he was with Andy and Val, he very rarely left the bedroom!! 

Well I can't take the credit for getting him out of the house - my two old fellas at the time, Bryn the 14 year old springer spaniel and Cracker, my gorgeous 11 year old goldie, helped me no end.  However once out, he thought the best place to be was at the very very very end of his lead, as far away from that human person as he could possibly get!! It was hard work and comments like "who's taking who for a walk!" weren't uncommon. I spent some weeks walking almost horizontally - well it was either that or I would be flat on my face!  The first time I walked him along a road, I ended up in a ditch!! 

He was also grumbly if I tried to cuddle him and grumbly if Cracker dared to sniff him but Cracker and I would just leave him alone and cuddle and sniff each other to show Casey there was nothing to be worried about.

Sadly, Bryn and Cracker have gone to Rainbow Bridge but, three and a half years on, I have a very very handsome fella who is actually happier as an only dog (although he needed Bryn and Cracker to get where he is today), who walks anywhere I take him (and I don't end up on the floor if a car goes past, or even a van or a bus!). He will now tug on a toy without worrying whether he should and doesn't chew dog beds, mats, tea towels, oven gloves, etc. etc.  Oh - but he's useless at obedience - well, he's had lots of other things to learn about!!  We have proof of this uselessness as he has just won the Darcy Memorial Award at the 2009 Reunion, bless him.