Building Resiliency: Lessons in Strength and Purpose from a Blind Dog Named Samson
When I first met Samson, a small Boston Terrier puppy with curious eyes and boundless energy, I couldn’t have known how profoundly he would change my life. I already had Phoenix, my faithful companion of thirteen years, who had walked with me through illness, recovery, and rebuilding. I didn’t plan to bring home another dog that day—only to “look.” But God often writes stories we don’t see coming. Ninety minutes later, Samson was riding home in the backseat, full of mischief and potential, his name already echoing a prophetic truth: great strength given by God. Samson is an example of resiliency in so many ways. I thought I’d share a little of his story with you.
The Early Days: Time to Explore
Resiliency involves curiosity—the courage to explore a new world, even when we don’t fully understand it. From his earliest days, Samson embodied this. He approached everything with enthusiasm: learning, playing, adventuring, and creating his own routines. Each morning, he’d wait by the fence for squirrels to appear, ready to engage in his daily game of chase. Every evening, he invented a “hide-and-seek” ritual with his bone, inviting me into his world of fun and discovery. He hid his bone about 8 times a night and wanted me to find it. There have been times when I searched for a good 10 minutes and could not find the bone! Creative and smart little dog.
Resiliency requires this same willingness to explore—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Healing and growth happen when we allow ourselves to step into the unknown, trusting that what we find will teach us something about strength and adaptation. When Samson suddenly went blind overnight, at the age of 9, the world as he knew it changed completely. Everything went dark. He went to bed one night after jumping in the air for frisbees, and woke up the next morning unable to see at all. His resilient spirit allowed him, in time and with support, to explore, stay curious, and learn to fully live again.
Finding Safety: Leaning Into His Safe Person
Through every season, Samson has leaned into his safe person—me. When he first went blind, he was scared. For about two weeks he sat, shook, and his spirit seemed broken. As I stayed close, comforted, encouraged, and worked with him a little at a time, he was able to build strength and confidence. Once his other senses kicked into high gear (about two weeks in), there were times it was as if he could see! A dog’s sense of smell is connected to the same visual pathway in the brain. It is wild! As Samson leaned into me to help, he reminded me of one of the most powerful lessons in trauma recovery: healing happens in the context of safety.
When my father was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor, Samson instinctively knew what to do. He became my dad’s companion, curling beside him during treatments, pressing his head against his hand during seizures, and offering a quiet comfort no words could match. Samson didn’t try to fix or avoid the pain—he simply stayed present.
As humans, we build resilience in similar ways. When we lean into safe relationships—whether with God, trusted loved ones, or therapists, —we strengthen our nervous systems and remind ourselves that we don’t have to face suffering alone. Safety is the soil in which resilience takes root.
Choosing Strength: Persevering Through Loss and Change
Resiliency is not the absence of hardship; it’s the decision to keep moving forward, even when the path is uncertain.
When Phoenix, my beloved first dog, passed away, both Samson and I grieved deeply. He wandered the apartment, searching for his friend, crying softly at night. I saw in him a mirror of my own heartache—and yet, he persevered. With time, he carried the torch of companionship, play, and joy that Phoenix had left behind.
Later, as my father’s health declined and eventually when he went home to heaven, Samson again walked beside me through the valley of grief. He lay near my dad’s chair, curled beside his clothes, and offered silent presence when words fell short. During my tears, he would rest his head on my lap, as if to remind me: You’re still here. Keep going.
As Samson mourned the loss of his sight, he exemplified perseverance. He didn’t give up living. He doesn’t lay around moaning and ceasing to engage in life. He, with support and compassion, persevered. Samson, within a month, was hiking on an unknown path, a pep in his step, and enjoying the fresh air and movement. He continues to play whiffle ball in the back yard, play with his dog friends, and even chase squirrels on the fence!
Perseverance often looks less like strength and more like faithfulness—showing up one day at a time, even when your heart is breaking.
Knowing Your Purpose: Anchoring in Meaning
Over the years, Samson’s purpose has been clear: to comfort, to love, and to serve. But when life changed drastically—when he woke one morning completely blind—his purpose took on new depth.
One day he was chasing frisbees and spotting squirrels; the next, he was navigating darkness. His diagnosis was sudden: acute pressure spikes in both eyes, rapid retinal degeneration, that led to irreversible blindness while we were both sleeping. I was heartbroken for him (and I miss those big brown eyes immensely). But remarkably, Samson didn’t give up. He adjusted, learned to map his environment through sound and scent, and began showing up in a new role—as a therapy dog in training in my counseling practice. Clients immediately connected with him. His calm presence, his gentle spirit, his ability to feel emotion in the room—all reflected the essence of resilience. He has grounded clients when they began to dissociate, he cried with a client, and the list goes on.
Purpose gives meaning to our suffering. It reminds us that even when one chapter ends, another begins. Samson’s purpose didn’t disappear when his sight did—it simply looks different.
Identifying Glimmers: Finding Light in the Darkness
In trauma recovery, we talk about “glimmers”—those small, positive moments that help regulate our nervous system and remind us that safety and joy still exist. Samson has always been a master at finding glimmers.
Despite blindness, he finds joy in familiar scents, playful sounds, treats, dog friends, exploring new areas or outdoor festivals, and the comfort of connection. His blindness hasn’t taken away his love for life—it’s just changed the way he experiences it.
Glimmers remind us to look for what is still good. They anchor us in gratitude, hope, and the truth that even in darkness, there are reasons to keep moving forward.
The Heart of Resilience
Samson’s story teaches us that resilience is not about perfection or avoidance of pain—it’s about adaptation, connection, perseverance, purpose, and noticing the light that remains.
When everything changes, resilience whispers: Take time to explore. Lean into safe people. Persevere with hope. Remember your purpose. Look for glimmers of light.
As Samson continues to walk through his world without sight, I am reminded that true vision has little to do with eyes—and everything to do with faith. God’s purpose for us remains steady, even when life looks different than we imagined.
For each of us navigating loss, change, or uncertainty, Samson’s example is a gentle reminder: resilience is built one small step, one prayer, one act of love at a time. And when we can’t see the road ahead, we can trust that God—the One who gave us strength for the journey—sees for us. We can trust Him.
Are you navigating a time of grief and loss? Trauma recovery? A chronic eating disorder or illness? I want you to know that you can get through this. One moment, one step at a time. You are resilient! If you are needing more support, please reach out. You do not have to walk the journey alone.
About the Author:
Brenda Stewart, MA, LMHC, LPC., is a licensed therapist, author, and coach with over 10 years of experience supporting clients in Florida and South Carolina.. She specializes in trauma recovery, eating disorders, and perfectionism and uses evidence- based approaches like EMDR, DBT, Somatic and Attachment based approaches to help clients truly heal. At Wellspring Therapy Associates, she is committed to providing expert, evidenced based care to her clients as she walks alongside them in their healing and growth journeys.
