Old Mate Sammy

There’s this yummy bakery/grocer in Red Hill called the ‘Red Hill Grocer’ go figure!

It has this long wooden bench top, overlooking a main road, with clear plastic shutters protecting you from the elements. It attracts locals and tourists a far, and it’s one of my fav little hang outs.

On this particular Saturday arvo, the rain is drizzling outside and it’s the middle of January- Australia’s summer! Our weather in Victoria reminds me of a HAM stir fry I once made back in my poor university days- a ‘Delicious Sh*t show’!

Right behind me at The Red Hill Grocer is this gorgeous Golden Retriever whose name is ‘Barry’ or… maybe ‘Sammy’? There’s some sort of ‘y’ at the end. To be honest, I’m not sure of his name, it’s more a gut feeling and I’d ask the owner but I’m pretty sure he’s on a date; so best to not interrupt!

Sammy (let’s go with that) is tied to the railing at the top of a wooden walkway leading into the Grocer.

Sammy sits at the top of the walkway and as you approach him; he heals, pins his gorgeous ears back and wags his tail, as if you’ve just dropped the word ‘pizza, or walk’ in front of him.

Sammy’s mesmerising, so much so I have to write about him.

It’s incredible how this golden ball of fluff has everyone, and I mean EVERY. SINGLE. PERSON. eating out of his paw. Not one person whether fancy dressed, tradie, child, young, old, male, female, happy or sad has walked past Sammy without giving him a pat.

They proceed to turn on their most hilarious Doggy voice and gosh, I’ve heard some real interesting ones this arvo. Even I have done it- but my dog chat is fairly normal I’m sure! 😜

All Sammy’s really doing is staying open and treating every single person who walks up that wooden catwalk, feel like they are the best human he’s ever seen! He accepts them, smiles at them, doesn’t say a word and everyone walks off with a big grin! SIMPLE Huh.

Makes me want to get my own Sammy! Or better yet- be a Human version of Sammy!

Dogs… they know what’s going on. I think they are such great teachers in the essence of unconditional love! And dare if you will to turn that doggy voice on and give him a pat, Sammy will make you feel like you’re the best thing he’s seen since sliced Red Hill Grocer multigrain sourdough bread!!

Oh, and look at that, the sun is out! WTF?!

Thanks Sammy -x-