Alex Born: January 29, 1996 Adopted: March 1996 Died: April 30, 2009 Breed: Samoyed Weight (April 1997): 70 lbs. Inspirations: George and Sky

Alex with his older relatives

With my grandfather Nick Gittes, 1902-2000, co-proprietor of Melrose Hardware

Alex stealing milk from a baby

Alex on his way to Alaska and back (Summer 2002)

Alex on his second trip to Alaska (Summer 2005)

Alex with the Golden Girls

Alex with his friends in Harvard Square

[BIG] [HUGE]

Alex the hip New York dog

Alex at MIT

Alex with Magnolia

Alex the Traditional New England Dog

Alex in the Wilderness

[BIG] [BIG]

Alex in the Studio

Alex and his Brother

(Alex is the slightly larger pup with the blunter nose.)

Training

Alex received treats for approaching the first subject in Harvard Square; a powerful electric shock for approaching the second (last frame).

Alex on Vacation in Seattle

Alex on Vacation in Martha's Vineyard

Gratuitous Samoyed Puppy Bath Photos

(This is another one of Alex's six litter-mates.)

Alex Up Close and Personal

With Windy

With Roxanne 2006

With Roxanne 2007

January 2008

Move to the woods 2008

Spring 2009

Traditional Media

• New York Times, February 9, 1998, page D5 (also on-line in CyberTimes)
• New Yorker Magazine, December 1, 1997, page 92
• CNN
• New York Times, November 11, 2001, section 9, page 1 (photo did not make it into the online version)

Links

• There is a story about George's death at the start of Travels with Samantha.
• If you're curious about the breed, check out www.samoyed.org.
• For grooming tips, visit www.samoyed.cc

Nice to see another Boston Sammy!

http://www.tiac.net/users/roomie/

-- Fred --, August 18, 1997

This was a deeply moving homage to a soul mate. Very poignant! I get lost in the neverending white Samoyed fur and the sandy dirt in my bed. As I mire under the weight of life I tend to become numb to that sammy smile. Thank you for melting that all away for a while! Bailey and Storm thank you, also!

-- Sandra Holfinger, July 28, 1998

Has someone that was once transcendental become just another shaggy dog story? A few years ago a semi-interesting female told me: "I guess my only purpose in life is taking care of my dogs..." Fortunately, by this that time in my life I had developed the ability to not visibly react. http://www.geocities.com/Paris/5817/

-- Simon Templar, September 18, 1998

I had a similar experience with my past best two friends. They were named Kuschi and Akkimma. Akkimma I am told is Alaskan for Lion's Mane. They were both Keeshonds. Kuschi accompanied me everywhere. He was obediant to a fault until one time I made a quick unexpected stop in traffic and he got past me. His death was immediate. Akkimma was a lifelong friend and I lost him in less than 24 hours due to massive internal organ failures. One morning I left and he bid me an entusiastic goodbye. I came home and he was swollen and distended with no energy. He immediately got a visit to the doctor who reported he was in great pain and needed to be put down immediately. That night he was put to sleep. The next morning I said goodbye. I was just surf browsing when I came across your site. After I had left, guys gave me a funny stare as tears rolled down my face. Kuschi, Akkimma, and now George will be with my memories always. Thanks for your site.

-- Thomas M.P. Steuri, October 2, 1998

After spending the time to put together a place of lasting honor for one's loved one, only blessings and honor can be returned to the author. AWESOME! Reminds me to say a special prayer for those around me, who are watching. Lisa@mail.wsu.edu

-- Lisa Wascher, March 10, 1999

Congratulations ! Wonderful photos and the profissional vision with your camera !

Fantastic with persons and animals the photos are magnific !

Aloisio aloisiom@hotmail.com Brazil

-- aloisio marcondes, May 2, 1999

I had a lovely Samoyed named Alex; coming across this page was like finding him in dog heaven... Thank you.

-- Nicholas Spies, June 21, 1999

We were blessed with two wonderful sameys from birth called Zoe and Sasha, Sasha passed away last year from cancer, and Zoe has taken over total control of the home, they are the most wonderful dogs in the world, Zoe is now 12 years old this month and is still so active, please god she will live much longer, as my wife and I do not know what we will do when that day comes.By the way we live in Sydney Australia and Zoe has no problem with the summer temperatures

-- Anthony Miller, June 24, 2000

Welcome to 2001,may this century bring all your dreams "Special delivery",and may Alex be the first Samoyed to spend two weeks in a low-orbit space hotel.At $10.000 a ticket,I'd say he's worth it. Peace~Pass it ON~

-- Lucky Letterman, December 30, 2000

A beautiful day with a beautiful little soul.

Even though I have had many dogs in my 50 years on earth, there are those special ones who have been so close to my heart that they were as much a part of me as my child. People who have never been loved by a special dog have a very hard time with that statement.. People who have had a devoted dog in their life never question it.

-- nanci little, August 31, 2001

The vermont snaps are very nice.

Would like to know whether you have any soft copy of to learn about Photography or very good links.

thank u

-- shiva manju, September 23, 2001

I had the pleasure of meeting Alex for the first time the other day here in Anchorage, Alaska, and I must say that he is quite a remarkable chap, more so than he is hairy! :-)

-- Tony Rowlett, July 22, 2002

I met a neighbor, Diane, walking a beautiful Samoyed alng with her pug Otto. (Otto is great friends with my English Springer, Elizabeth) After admiring the Samoyed I told Diane that there was a really great web page showing Samoyeds at www.photo.net. Diane told me that Alex was your dog that she was babysitting. I was charmed. Elizabeth was standoffish. I think she was jealous of a dog with his own web page. You have a really wonderful site with great photos, wonderful dog stories. You also have a really nice dog, no matter what Elizabeth thinks!!

-- David O'Connor, March 4, 2003

I was terribly saddened when after my divorce my dog died of cancer a few years back. Your photos helped remind me of him and his wonderful face. Porter had that same soft puffy hair that Alex seems to have.

-- Jacob J, June 3, 2003

An avid lover of Samoyeds, I lost my baby Sasha December 2003. A loved member of the family, friend, companion. She was 15 years old. The smiling face, the deep devotion, I dont think you could ever get that from another dog. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Alex, from those early puppy days to that dirty dog, don't they just love digging holes. Thank you for sharing.

-- Donna Ingram, August 27, 2004

Our Samoyed was named Velcro. Everything in the woods stuck to him, but after a couple hours it all fell off; something about the oil in the fur.

I have never before or since met a dog that got such sheer joy out of life.

We miss you Velcro!

Thanks for the wonderful pics.

-- Connie Reeder, February 4, 2006

I'm sorry to read that Alex is dead. But he will live on in our hearts. Rest in peace, Alex!

-- Arne Kriedemann, May 9, 2009

• Vanessa's I love Juneau von Struensee Site- I love Juneau and Alex does too, Alex Samoyed, Phil Greenspun and Eve Andresson have all babysat angel Juneau and he comes back very happy from being at their office! He loves Eve's homemade dog crackers   (contributed by vanessa von struensee)

• The Critter Cube (dogs, cat, horse pics)- I love taking pictures of my pets. My 15+ year old dog is even named after the daguerreotype! Here is a little photo project I put together. It is a spinning cube of photos. You can change the spin of the cube by running your mouse over the cube. Click on a specific photo to stop the cube and get a better look. Click on it again to get it spinning again. Enjoy the pictures! In Joy! Diana   (contributed by Diana Morris)

• Hutch and Maya's web page- Two all white Siberian Huskies doing what they do best...nothing!   (contributed by staci weiner)

• PET MEMORIAL SITE- AFTER THE DEATHS OF MY TWO BELOVED GERMAN SHEPHERDS I SET UP THIS SITE - WHICH OTHERS CAN JOIN. I FOUND IT REALLY DID HELP.   (contributed by ROBERT CUBIN)

• Slåboda´s Kennel- Samoyed and Japanese spitz breeder in Sweden.   (contributed by Ankie Wigren)

• Swedish Samoyed club- The Swedish Samoyed Club with lots of meetings and breeders and other stuff.   (contributed by Ankie Wigren)

• Greenspun Scenes of Amazing Beauty from all over America- A page with 12 Scenes of Amazing Beauty from all over America from Phil Greenspun. On the web site of Jean and Warren Howard. Also try visiting http://amazingbeauty.org   (contributed by Warren Howard)

• dog training- dog training in virginia beach va we do obedience &protection training private classes behavior problems u can call 757-368-1872 thanks mike master dog trainer   (contributed by michael peed)

• Training Your Dog- There are multiple meanings to the term "training." It's important to understand that when deciding what you need to do with your dog. continue...   (contributed by Harold Jasone)

• GlobalPaw Forums- a family friendly dog community and forum for all dog lovers.   (contributed by Michael Waters)

• CollarGirl.com Martingale Dog Collars- martingale collars, greyhound collars, and buckle collars in fabrics, striped ribbon, and preppy trims.   (contributed by Lindsay Braman)

• airdales- Information about Airedale Terriers, Airedale Rescue, How to choose a breeder, and directory of breeders.   (contributed by Randy Brown)

• Weimaraner Rescue of Texas- I wanted to share a special place, where you can find wonderful dogs, who like to play and love and be loved. Please share with friends and family who are looking for a new family member. Contributed by:Beth-the foster mom failure...now has 3 weims of her own..   (contributed by beth highgenboten)

• National Samoyed Rescue- The Official National Samoyed Rescue site dedicated to helping to save Samoyeds by providing resources to both the adopters and local rescues   (contributed by Pam Puckett)

• Samoyed Rescue Alliance- The Samoyed Rescue Alliance is an alliance of affiliated Samoyed Rescue organizations from across the US. We offer information about Samoyeds, about rescue, training & behavior, and more....Whether you already have a Samoyed, are thinking about it, or are just curious, we invite you to come look around.   (contributed by Samoyed Rescue Alliance webmaster)

• MidAtlantic Samoyed Rescue- We help homeless or unwanted Samoyeds find new loving homes. We cover MD, VA, DC, western PA, and parts of NJ. We will help out in other areas as needed. Come see the wonderful dogs we have for adoption!   (contributed by Samoyed Rescue Alliance webmaster)

• http://www.arik-amaruq.de- This site with pictures, links and information is dedicated to our Samoyed Arik. Come visit our website :-) Kind regards from Berlin Dianna   (contributed by Dianna Stephens)