Samwell Bernard

 07.22.2022

Samwell Bernard Hinsch-about 5 years old now. Named after Samwell Tarly, Jon Snow's most loyal friend, I felt Sam's destiny the moment I scooped him up.

Sam was discovered inside of a 53' van trailer that was used for storing used tires, pre-disposal, at my place of business. A coworker had heard a little kitten mew sound, moved several tires, and brought him to me. "I've heard you talking about how you missed your cat", and handed him to me. It only took a millisecond. Called my Bride, read her in, and asked her to meet me at our Vet. "How're you going to get him there?" I told her my plan of slipping him into my jacket pocket, zipping it most of the way, and being as slow & calm as I'd ever been on my motorcycle. And I did just that.

Loving and loyal, almost a pure black cat, our Sam is seemingly part dog, part mountain goat, a tail chaser (his own), and like our youngest son. If you're an animal lover, you soooo know what I'm talking about. Let's back back a bit...

When our son was 6 or 7, my sister-in-law & her husband kept our son for us one weekend. When his stay was over, he was gifted with a kitten. A tiny, recently weened female tuxedo. He was already captivated by her, so into our home she came. He chose the name Roxanne. Why, only he knows, but it fit. And so it began.

My Bride & I being cat lovers, we all got her set up in her own space. It wasn't long before she hired us full time.

Roxanne, aka Roxannie Fanny, was rowdy, loving, and affectionate, and like many animals, a very caring companion. Her natural instincts were on point. If anyone was ever sick or even sad, she'd be right by our side. As our son & Roxanne grew, she would attack his legs/feet while he was eating before school. My bride had sewn slip covers for our dining table that totally encased the chairs, and was a perfect place to hide, waiting for her sneak attack. She'd be under a chair where she couldn't be seen, and BOOM. We never knew which chair she was under, but we all knew it was one of 'em. He wouldn't let his legs dangle after that, keeping them tucked up in his seat. Roxanne would eventually come to simply move to a seat, hidden by the tablecloth, and attack from a higher vantage point. She was so tricky!

We had her for 19 years. 

About a year after her passing, I was really jonesing for another cat. We were talking about going to a shelter to adopt, and then Sam happened. Thank goodness he found us.

Game of Thrones fans know of Samwell Tarly's significance. Our Sam is not so different. 

Thank you for stopping by, and tolerating this story. Sam's a huge part of our lives, and we're all better for it. Lucky us.