So here's the short of it, 
Dan's dog Sampson died yesterday. 

And here's the long

Dan and Sampson

There is something about a dog. Something that enlarges us and makes us better than we would have been without them.    

It's awfully hard to lose a good dog. It's especially hard when that life is cut short. 

Dan lost Sampson to kidney failure yesterday.  I understand that he was a great dog with an amazing spirit and was well loved by Dan's many friends.