Rare Polaroid

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POLAROID LAND CAMERA ONE STEP TIME ZERO SX-70 Film RARE BLACK WITH STRIPES SX70
POLAROID LAND CAMERA ONE STEP TIME ZERO SX-70 Film RARE BLACK WITH STRIPES SX70
Paypal   US $11.50
*RARE* Working!!! Polaroid 600 COOL CAM RED camera for NEW PX680 sx-70 600 film
*RARE* Working!!! Polaroid 600 COOL CAM RED camera for NEW PX680 sx-70 600 film
Paypal   US $120.00
Rare POLAROID SUN 600 SE (Blue Button) Instant Film Camera W/Box
Rare POLAROID SUN 600 SE (Blue Button) Instant Film Camera W/Box
Paypal   US $29.99
*RARE* POLAROID Spectra Pro Camera with TEST PHOTOS no minolta instant Pro sx-70
*RARE* POLAROID Spectra Pro Camera with TEST PHOTOS no minolta instant Pro sx-70
Paypal   US $280.00
Rare Polaroid Sun 600 LMS Anniversary camera MINT NEW NOS BOX papers MOD Retro
Rare Polaroid Sun 600 LMS Anniversary camera MINT NEW NOS BOX papers MOD Retro
Paypal   US $24.00
Polaroid Izone 200 Film 6 Packs Of 12 Each 72 Total Sealed  *  2007 *  VERY RARE
Polaroid Izone 200 Film 6 Packs Of 12 Each 72 Total Sealed * 2007 * VERY RARE
Paypal   US $99.99
HELLO KITTY  Polaroid camera 600 Near mint  Very rare
HELLO KITTY Polaroid camera 600 Near mint Very rare
Paypal   US $320.00
*RARE* POLAROID 600SE 600 SE & 127mm f4.7 & FILM BACK / NO MAMIYA UNIVESAL PRESS
*RARE* POLAROID 600SE 600 SE & 127mm f4.7 & FILM BACK / NO MAMIYA UNIVESAL PRESS
Paypal   US $870.00
*RARE* Hello Kitty POLAROID 600 CAMERA & BAG for PX600 PX680 sx-70 PX70 film
*RARE* Hello Kitty POLAROID 600 CAMERA & BAG for PX600 PX680 sx-70 PX70 film
Paypal   US $250.00
Rare Vintage Polaroid Blue OneStep Auto Focus, Film Tested
Rare Vintage Polaroid Blue OneStep Auto Focus, Film Tested
Paypal   US $24.99
$$$$$^^^^^RARE Polaroid Folding Land Camera 101 Series Vintage ^$$$$$$$
$$$$$^^^^^RARE Polaroid Folding Land Camera 101 Series Vintage ^$$$$$$$
Paypal   US $.99
$$$$$^^^^^RARE SONAR ONE STEP POLAROID INSTANT CAMERA- Vintage ^$$$$$$$
$$$$$^^^^^RARE SONAR ONE STEP POLAROID INSTANT CAMERA- Vintage ^$$$$$$$
Paypal   US $.99
RARE POLAROID 35mm film ISO 200 HIGH DEFINITION LOMO 35mm FILM 12 exp
RARE POLAROID 35mm film ISO 200 HIGH DEFINITION LOMO 35mm FILM 12 exp
Paypal   US $6.24
*RARE* Polaroid 1000SE 1000 SE edition camera for NEW PX FILM PX70 sx-70 film
*RARE* Polaroid 1000SE 1000 SE edition camera for NEW PX FILM PX70 sx-70 film
Paypal   US $90.00
POLAROID SX-70 LAND CAMERA RARE VINTAGE EAMES ERA RETRO MOD ATOMIC SX70
POLAROID SX-70 LAND CAMERA RARE VINTAGE EAMES ERA RETRO MOD ATOMIC SX70
Paypal   US $29.99
Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Time-Zero AutoFocus RARE ALL BLACK FILM TESTED
Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Time-Zero AutoFocus RARE ALL BLACK FILM TESTED
Paypal   US $159.00
Polaroid Vintage Rare Land Camera J66 with Leather Case and Flash Attachment
Polaroid Vintage Rare Land Camera J66 with Leather Case and Flash Attachment
Paypal   US $23.99
VINTAGE POLAROID ONE STEP CLOSEUP CAMERA 600 FILM RARE IN GOOD SHAPE CLASSIC
VINTAGE POLAROID ONE STEP CLOSEUP CAMERA 600 FILM RARE IN GOOD SHAPE CLASSIC
Paypal   US $9.99
*RARE* MAMIYA UNIVERSAL PRESS & 100mm f3.5 lens / no. SUPER 23 POLAROID 600 SE
*RARE* MAMIYA UNIVERSAL PRESS & 100mm f3.5 lens / no. SUPER 23 POLAROID 600 SE
Paypal   US $870.00
*RARE* MAMIYA GROUND GLASS / Focusing Hood Model P / FOR POLAROID 600SE 600 SE
*RARE* MAMIYA GROUND GLASS / Focusing Hood Model P / FOR POLAROID 600SE 600 SE
Paypal   US $390.00
2 packs OF UNOPENED POLAROID FILM.....USE BEFORE AUG 1979 !!!   WOW RARE
2 packs OF UNOPENED POLAROID FILM.....USE BEFORE AUG 1979 !!! WOW RARE
Paypal   US $9.98
VINTAGE POLAROID LIGHT METER, IN ORIGINAL LEATHER CASE RARE FIND
VINTAGE POLAROID LIGHT METER, IN ORIGINAL LEATHER CASE RARE FIND
Paypal   US $.95
RARE POLAROID SX-70 LAND CAMERA ACCESSORY KIT
RARE POLAROID SX-70 LAND CAMERA ACCESSORY KIT
Paypal   US $99.99
Rare Polaroid Lester Dine Camera model IV with case & 2 film packs TESTED WORKS
Rare Polaroid Lester Dine Camera model IV with case & 2 film packs TESTED WORKS
Paypal   US $49.00
*RARE* POLAROID Spectra Pro Camera with strap no minolta instant Pro sx-70
*RARE* POLAROID Spectra Pro Camera with strap no minolta instant Pro sx-70
Paypal   US $230.00
RARE Polaroid SX-70 Alpha 1 REVUE edition camera & box - FULLY TESTED
RARE Polaroid SX-70 Alpha 1 REVUE edition camera & box - FULLY TESTED
Paypal   US $899.50
*RARE* Polaroid 600 SuperColors Blue edition camera for PX680 sx-70 600 PX film
*RARE* Polaroid 600 SuperColors Blue edition camera for PX680 sx-70 600 PX film
Paypal   US $230.00
*RARE* Polaroid 600 SuperColors Red edition camera for PX680 sx-70 600 PX film
*RARE* Polaroid 600 SuperColors Red edition camera for PX680 sx-70 600 PX film
Paypal   US $230.00
RARE Polaroid SX-70 Film w/ A SPLASH OF ORANGE PX 100 Silver Shade 8 Exposures
RARE Polaroid SX-70 Film w/ A SPLASH OF ORANGE PX 100 Silver Shade 8 Exposures
Paypal   US $29.99
POLAROID SLR 680 SX70 LAND CAMERA  WITH 10 IMPOSSIBLE 600 NEW FILM PACKS *RARE*
POLAROID SLR 680 SX70 LAND CAMERA WITH 10 IMPOSSIBLE 600 NEW FILM PACKS *RARE*
Paypal   US $781.63
RARE Polaroid P Cam Instant Land Camera Silver + PX 600 FILM Pack TESTED WORKING
RARE Polaroid P Cam Instant Land Camera Silver + PX 600 FILM Pack TESTED WORKING
Paypal   US $49.95
SUPER RARE Vintage Yellow Polaroid Spirit 600 Camera Tested & WORKS Made in USA
SUPER RARE Vintage Yellow Polaroid Spirit 600 Camera Tested & WORKS Made in USA
Paypal   US $250.00
Vintage Polaroid General Binding Corporation Post Office Passport Camera Rare
Vintage Polaroid General Binding Corporation Post Office Passport Camera Rare
Paypal   US $65.00
Polaroid ID 4 Automatic Camera Vintage Rare
Polaroid ID 4 Automatic Camera Vintage Rare
Paypal   US $47.00
Polaroid One600 JobPro *Perfect!* *RARE!* *NIB* Free global shipping! Uses PX680
Polaroid One600 JobPro *Perfect!* *RARE!* *NIB* Free global shipping! Uses PX680
   US $444.44
Polaroid I-Zone Instant Pocket Point and Shoot Film Camera RARE Lavander Works
Polaroid I-Zone Instant Pocket Point and Shoot Film Camera RARE Lavander Works
Paypal   US $14.49
Vintage very rare Polaroid lot  Automatic 100 Land Cameras
Vintage very rare Polaroid lot Automatic 100 Land Cameras
Paypal   US $250.00
POLAROID ONE INSTANT CAMERA WITH 600 FILM 10 SEALED IN PACKAGE 07/2005 new RARE
POLAROID ONE INSTANT CAMERA WITH 600 FILM 10 SEALED IN PACKAGE 07/2005 new RARE
Paypal   US $400.00
Vintage Rare Polaroid Land Identification System ID-2 60's Felt Backdrops
Vintage Rare Polaroid Land Identification System ID-2 60's Felt Backdrops
Paypal   US $74.99
POLAROID TIME-ZERO ONE-STEP PRESTO INSTANT LAND CAMERA RAINBOW VINTAGE RARE
POLAROID TIME-ZERO ONE-STEP PRESTO INSTANT LAND CAMERA RAINBOW VINTAGE RARE
Paypal   US $44.95
Vintage 1998 Polaroid Black ONE STEP Closeup Includes Brand New 600 Film RARE
Vintage 1998 Polaroid Black ONE STEP Closeup Includes Brand New 600 Film RARE
Paypal   US $29.99
RARE Polaroid UV FILTER for Film Pack Camera #585 with Case fits100~150~250+MORE
RARE Polaroid UV FILTER for Film Pack Camera #585 with Case fits100~150~250+MORE
Paypal   US $14.25
Rare Polaroid Image System/Spectra/1200 Camera Special Effects Filter Kit
Rare Polaroid Image System/Spectra/1200 Camera Special Effects Filter Kit
Paypal   US $34.95
Vintage 80s RARE Polaroid AF SPECTRA Instant Film Camera FLASH WORKS
Vintage 80s RARE Polaroid AF SPECTRA Instant Film Camera FLASH WORKS
Paypal   US $59.99
Vintage Polaroid SQUARE SHOOTER Land Camera Type 88  Instant Film Rare
Vintage Polaroid SQUARE SHOOTER Land Camera Type 88 Instant Film Rare
Paypal   US $16.37
POLAROID BI-FLEX LENS - TRICK PHOTO ATTACHMENT - 2 PICTURES ON 1 EXPOSURE RARE
POLAROID BI-FLEX LENS - TRICK PHOTO ATTACHMENT - 2 PICTURES ON 1 EXPOSURE RARE
Paypal   US $25.00
Rare Contax Preview Camera Body C/Y Mount & Polaroid Back Mint+ Works Perfectly
Rare Contax Preview Camera Body C/Y Mount & Polaroid Back Mint+ Works Perfectly
Paypal   US $429.99
Rare Polaroid Insertable Pop-up Stand-up Greeting Cards for 600 Instant Film
Rare Polaroid Insertable Pop-up Stand-up Greeting Cards for 600 Instant Film
Paypal   US $39.95
Polaroid SX-70 1972 *Supreme Kit* RARE Perfect MIB Vivitar flash +5 Packs PX 70
Polaroid SX-70 1972 *Supreme Kit* RARE Perfect MIB Vivitar flash +5 Packs PX 70
Paypal   US $1,400.00
VINTAGE 103 POLAROID CAMERA  LAND  Instructions old RARE old Instant Film
VINTAGE 103 POLAROID CAMERA LAND Instructions old RARE old Instant Film
Paypal   US $134.44
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Cell (You) Phone's (Must) Dead (Learn) / Diamond (Hollywood) District (Freaks) Cell (You) Phone's (Must) Dead (Learn) / Diamond (Hollywood) District (Freaks)
Sale Price: $7.99

Limited Edition of 500. 7" single from "Aphids on the Lettuce: Beck Remixed & Mashed Up by Panzah Zandahz."

Gekibo 2 (Gekisha Boy 2) (PS2 Japan Import) Gekibo 2 (Gekisha Boy 2) (PS2 Japan Import)

David Goldman, intrepid newspaper photographer extraordinaire, goes on assignment to capture wild and wacky events on film. Under seemingly normal circumstances which can quickly get out of hand, David clicks and snaps opportune and interesting shots which will please his chief editor and ensure his continued employment at the Times...

Vintage Polaroid One Step Flash Camera Vintage Polaroid One Step Flash Camera
Sale Price: $100.00

Here is a Polaroid One Step Flash camera. The camera is in like new condition. It still has film inside and works perfectly. The film would not develope correctly when I tried it because it is long expired, but with new film, this camera will be ready to go.

Polaroid Spectra Business Camera Uses Spectra Platinum Film Polaroid Spectra Business Camera Uses Spectra Platinum Film
List Price: $89.99
Sale Price: $64.95

Awesome Classic collectable Polaroid!no longer in production not available in stores.In excellent physical condition!Works!Film still available on Amazon

Polaroid Impulse 600 Film Camera Polaroid Impulse 600 Film Camera
Sale Price: $300.00

You are looking at an amazing polaroid impulse instant camera!Rare polaroid that still works and takes 600 polaroid film which can still be found even on Amazon!Great collectable usable camera!Thanks for looking!

Instamatic Karma: Photographs of John Lennon Instamatic Karma: Photographs of John Lennon
List Price: $29.95
Sale Price: $10.47

?There were times I was a bit reticent in taking out my camera, like when some ?old friends? stopped by to hang out. I didn?t want to intrude on these moments, but John insisted. He felt that I captured him in ways that no one else did because of his comfort level with me?For years, only my closest friends got to see these photos?which were literally tucked away in a shoebox in my closet...

Cameraworks Cameraworks
List Price: $50.00
Sale Price: $568.71

Patti Smith, Land 250 Patti Smith, Land 250
List Price: $75.00
Sale Price: $51.89

Photos by a key figure in modern music, noted for the way she integrates performance poetry with garage-band rock and roll.Patti Smith is known most widely as a musical artist and a poet, but her creative energies are not limited to those genres...

Fuzzy Zoeller Autographed / Signed Polaroid Photo Fuzzy Zoeller Autographed / Signed Polaroid Photo
List Price: $50.00
Sale Price: $33.95

Authentic Autographed Item!

Corey Pavin Autographed Polaroid Photo Corey Pavin Autographed Polaroid Photo
List Price: $50.00
Sale Price: $33.95

Authentic Autographed Item!


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Rare Polaroid

Creative ways to make money: You have a money machine inside of your mind. It's time to use it. The internet can be your primary tool, but not necessarily. Pablo Picasso once remarked, "The chief enemy of creativity is "good" sense."

If you want the same old results, just keep thinking the same old way. The World Wide Web is an incredibly huge market and it is free to all. It is especially inviting to those who seek creative ways to make money. One thing to keep in mind when you think of making money is how much will you have to invest and how large is the risk? So conventional wisdom went, anyway.

No longer is it required to risk rack and ruin to start a business, whether it is a new type or something along old, familiar lines. If you have ever wanted to use your creativity to make money, the time has never been better. What are some of the creative ways to make money? All of these are a heck of a lot easier if you go on the internet. Here are 9 to get you started:

  1. You can create and sell your own unique version of plans, patterns or software for something you enjoy. Anything from stuffed bunnies to experimental aircraft.
  2. You can be a sales representative for something you love, but couldn't afford to do. As an example, if you love Mercedes Benz cars, but could never afford one, you can become an affiliate for a dealer and never have to leave home to sell your beauties.
  3. You can write your own ebook and sell it. You can also sell other peoples' ebooks.
  4. Love old books? Start a web site on collecting, pricing, buying, restoring and storing old and rare books. You can also write and sell your own ebooks on old books!
  5. You can become a commission internet salesperson for companies like Amazon.(You can actually do this with anything: hospital medical equipment, asphalt plants, bulldozers. Anything can be sold from a web site).
  6. You can create your own online bookstore using Amazon and other companies without even putting up a shelf.
  7. You can create your own brand of children's birthday party ideas and items.
  8. You can become an online consultant on anything you are well versed in.
  9. If there is an unusual hobby you have, it might be possible to create a profitable web site about it. For example, I know a lady who does well with a site involving just antique china dolls.

The list goes on and on when it comes to creative ways to make money, but I think you get the idea. Where to start? Right now, you should feel like a kid set loose in a candy shop on a shopping spree. Taking your time and learning the ropes properly, you can create multiple streams of income all revolving around your creativity, talents and interests. It doesn't get any better than this, folks.

It will take work and patience, however. On the other hand, if you are doing something you love, long hours and setbacks won't seem like work, will they? Oh, did I mention that you should go after something you love to do? For the first time in your life, you are being encouraged to pursue just what you love, not what someone else thinks will sell or will be popular or in demand in the future.

Edwin Land (The creator of the Polaroid camera) said, "An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail. Every creative act is a sudden cessation of stupidity."

Choose something you love to do and the ideas will flow freely. If you are attracted to a really small niche where there are not that many people interested, that's perfectly alright. There are ways to get others with the same interest to gather around you, to become followers of yours. You can sell to and create with these people. They will have new ideas for you to examine, get excited about and to incorporate into your business.

Taking your time, you will find that almost everything mentioned here is free. There are many places like Squidoo.com and HubPages.com that let you create a website with them free. Don't know how? They have excellent tutorials and they, also, are free. Creative ways to make money: How far can you count? How happy do you want to be? You are free to create anything you want. There is cheap software that allows you to make your own videos and put them on the internet. You're a plumber and love the work? Set up a plumbing information expert site..

Don't know how to create a website? Do a Google search. There are plenty of free tutorials. There is no end to the creative ways to make money. Here are a few more and good luck!

1. Set up a site selling video tutorials you have made of anything that interests you. Maybe you show how to draw, how to bake an angel food cake, how to change the engine in a '53 Pontiac, how to train your dog to roll over. On and on. The potential is incredible.

2. Become your own best travel agent. Go places, video it and show it on your site and sell airfare to it.

3. You love to quilt? Set up your own quilting site with videos you created. Sell fabrics and patterns that you either bought or create yourself.

4. While having yourself a blast, you can earn serious income without leaving home. It's called the 30 second commute,

By the way, do you want to learn more about doing business online and to get a good idea of what you can achieve? Check out this short video Creative Ways to Make Money.

For those that seek to make extra income from home, watch my little video Online Jobs From Home.

Battle with Mast Cell tumors - In memory of Samantha, our gift from God!

In Memory of Samantha...

"You wanna do what?"

Surely I had misunderstood my wife.

"I said I want to take Tim to have his picture taken with Santa tomorrow... Do you want to go?" Darlene asked.

So I had heard correctly, but I honestly thought she was joking because it seemed ridiculous to have a picture taken of your dog with Santa. Anyway, I thought I'd play along with the joke and said, "Sure. And after that, maybe we can catch a good basket-weaving competition! What a great way to spend a Saturday, huh?"

The look on her face told me she hadn't been joking.

So the next day we bundled her little dog in the car and drove up to the Animal Orphanage in Voorhees where Darlene had adopted him several years before. It didn't take long to get the Polaroid snapshot of Tim sitting on Santa's lap (Wasn't much of a waiting line as most sane people don't waste their weekend free time getting pictures of their pet with a stranger in a padded suit, but I digress). Darlene suggested we "just take a look" at the other dogs they had available for adoption and I somewhat reluctantly agreed.

When I reached the fourth kennel on the left I stopped dead in my tracks because that was the kennel where they had put Samantha (or "Bear", as they had named her). With long, wavy, jet-black hair and a big white star on her chest along with those beautiful brown newfie eyes - she was gorgeous! Unlike many of the other dogs, she was also very quiet, just sitting there looking back at me as I stood staring at her. For many years after, Darlene would say to her, "After he saw you Sam, he wouldn't even look at any of the other dogs. He just stood there staring at you for the longest time. Yep, you were the one he wanted over all the other dogs."

While it's true I was admiring what a beautiful dog she was, the main thing going through my mind was trying to figure out how much of a bribe it would take to get Darlene to say yes to adopting her. Sam already outweighed Tim by more than sixty pounds and, at only 10 months old, she still had some growing to do. It seemed very probable that Darlene would be totally against the idea of adopting a dog of Sam's size.

To tell you the truth, it didn't matter to me how much of a bribe it would take; I really, REALLY wanted that dog! Somehow, I sensed that she was the dog I had waited to have for almost thirty years.

Since I was about 10 years old, I wanted a big dog, one that required both arms to hug; and I wanted a dog that was loving, gentle and had a good temperament. As a kid, my folks didn't want me to have a big dog. They even took the small dog I had in junior high to the pound one day while I was at school (Took me a long time to forgive them for that). When I went into the military, there wasn't an option of having a dog. Then when I got out of the military, a former spouse didn't want any dogs. She was a cats-only kind of person, and she made sure that the small dog I had knew it wasn't welcomed in our home (after we were married, of course).

Even though I had wanted this kind of dog from such an early age, I never prayed about it. For the longest time, I had the mistaken idea that one shouldn't pray for something like a dog. God was far too busy to be concerned with trivial things like that. But, that was before I "discovered" Philippians 4:6, which says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;" (emphasis mine).

I still haven't figured out why God decided to bless my socks off by giving me the very kind of dog I had wanted for almost three decades. Even though I didn't doubt the numerous scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments that make it very clear that God does indeed know all the secrets of our heart, it boggled my mind that he would actually prove that to me personally (still does boggle my mind!).

That's why every day for almost nine years I would refer to Samantha as, "My wonderful gift from God", It quickly became the rest of her name.

The Animal Orphanage had an outdoor fenced-in play area that Darlene and I made use of to spend some time getting to know Sam, and I was delighted that Darlene took to her so quickly (no bribe needed). While in that play area we decided on her new name. Even though she was a hefty size pup, "Bear" just didn't fit her personality at all. Afterward we filled out the necessary paperwork, answered and asked questions, then agreed to come back the next day to adopt her, giving the orphanage some time to review our information and decide if we were a good match.

We brought her home the next day and let her explore the house so she could get used to her new home. Then Darlene noticed some blood on the bathroom floor and kinda freaked out, thinking Sam had cut herself on something. It didn't take much investigating to discover that Samantha hadn't cut herself - she had gone into heat. That realization made both of us REALLY freak out!

"Oh man, what are we gonna do?" I said.

"I don't know - I'm not a vet!"

"Whaddya mean, you don't know? You're a labor and delivery nurse!"

"It's not the same thing, Gregg."

"Well, it's a lot closer than my job in video!" I protested.

Somehow, we managed to make it to the next day when we could call our vet for instructions. Even though the necessary "apparatus" was needed for only a few days, it seemed more like a whole month and neither of us wanted to deal with that again. So we promptly made an appointment to have her spayed ASAP.

For the next several years, we enjoyed Sam as any dog-loving family would. Then in the latter part of October, 2005, we noticed a small lump directly above her right elbow, a lump that grew to almost the size of a tennis ball in only a week and a half. We quickly made an appointment with our vet to have Samantha examined. The tumor was removed and the vet was almost certain it was something called a Mast Cell tumor, but wanted to have a biopsy of it to be sure and determine its cancerous development. Less than a week later, the results confirmed that it was indeed a Mast Cell tumor, and at an elevated level, too (Grade 3).

***Learn more about Mast Cell tumors by clicking HERE ***

From what we read online, 90% of dogs with Grade 3 Mast Cell tumors don't survive a year after diagnosis. Sam had extensive tests done at the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital in Philadelphia. We were told that we had only three options for treatment; chemotherapy, radiation, or amputation of her right front leg. Since we didn't want to put her through chemo or radiation, we opted for removing her leg.

All three options were about the same expense, and based solely on the cost of treatment, one would think that Mast Cell tumors are some exotic and extremely rare condition. Further research proved otherwise, these tumors are actually a relatively common type of canine cancer. There were a few days of wrestling with whether we should do anything at all since my first inclination was that it isn't right to spend that kind of money on a dog. My way of justifying the expense was the fact that God got the glory through my daily (usually several times a day) acknowledgement of "My wonderful gift from God" and the almost continuous and heartfelt gratitude, not only for being given such a great dog, but mainly the way God proved to me personally that he not only knows the secrets of my heart, but he actually cares about the things that concern me. Who wouldn't be thankful for that? (Many times I would hug Sam really tight and pray that God would accept that hug for himself as a gesture of my gratitude.)

Still the cost was something we had to contend with. After the initial bout with this hideous disease, figuring in everything from the first office visit to the last Prednisone pill given six months later, the final tally was almost exactly half of what it took to put a new roof on our house. We had committed to that just before discovering the tumor and couldn't back out of the contract, so the new roof was put on the same month as almost all of the testing and the amputation were done. The following month's credit card bill was literally breathtaking.

Darlene took Sam to Swedesboro Animal Hospital to have her leg amputated. After the surgery was completed, she called me at work to give me an update. I know animals are very resilient, but I could hardly believe it when she told me that Sam was up walking (hopping) around barely more than three hours post-op! The vet kept Sam overnight and I picked her up the next day. On the way there, I coached myself so that I would be careful how I acted the first time I saw Sam after the surgery. I did my best to keep her from sensing my level of shock at seeing her missing a leg. It was probably my imagination, but it sure seemed like there was some hesitation in wagging her tail when she saw me - almost like she was wondering, "Do you still want me?" So I tried to sound as matter-of-fact as I could when I said, "You know what, Sam? Even with just three legs, you are one gorgeous canine!"

Whish, whish.

"Yes, you are! And I'm sure glad you're MY puppy dog!"

Whish, whish, whish, whish.

Sam was on Prednisone (a steroid) for six months - much longer than is usually prescribed for dogs. Since Prednisone can act as a mild chemotherapy (almost no side effects), the vet wanted to use it for that length of time to help diminish any stray Mast Cells that had not been detected. *Almost* no side effects, but still two of the most common: a virtually constant thirst and a voracious appetite. At the time, we were still using stand alone water dishes for our pets (before we installed a dedicated water line to a float controlled water bowl), so it was easy to measure how much water she was drinking - more than three quarters of a gallon a day! And her appetite! If I had kept her food bowl topped off, I'm convinced she would have let her head stay in that dish around the clock. It got to the point where we started calling her our 100 pound piranha.

Through it all, we continued to enjoy this wonderful dog and her interactions with our other dogs. Sam seldom misbehaved. On those rare occasions when she did, we would refer to her as "Osama Bin Doggin" and scold her. Her newfie eyes would narrow into slits like she was getting ready to cry. On the whole, life was pretty normal and we were beginning to think she had completely whipped the Mast Cell tumors until another one showed up in May of 2008. After that was removed, we had a reprieve until December when yet another developed and that too, was removed.

The next month brought a new year and some hopeful news from our vet: Red Bank Animal hospital in north Jersey was taking part in a trial test of a new oral chemo treatment for Mast Cell tumors that not only had few side effects, but had some very promising results in a smaller study. So a nation-wide study was begun to determine the real effectiveness of this drug and they needed volunteers. We wasted no time in making an appointment with our vet's referral. More paperwork and exams were needed before Samantha was invited to participate. The doctor told us up front that the best way to save Sam's life was to have another surgery combined with the standard IV chemotherapy. If we did that though, Sam would not be able to partake in the study since they wouldn't be able to determine the effectiveness of the new drug if she had the standard chemotherapy and surgery as well.

I somehow got the idea that if this drug was successful and made available on the open market, it would be less expensive for dog owners to get necessary treatment for their pets, since the pills would eliminate the traditional IV method of giving chemo and the need for staff to administer and monitor the treatment. The thought of saving others from having to make the tough financial choices we made was exciting to me. I had often prayed that God would allow Sam to be as much of a blessing to others as she was to us. It just didn't seem right to hog such a wonderful blessing to ourselves. So we denied the surgery and traditional chemo so Sam could be a part of that blessing to others.

The entire double-blind study was to be done over the course of 13 weeks. Darlene changed her schedule as much as possible and I put in for vacation days to cover the 2 to 3 times a week we would make the 90 minute drive with Sam to the hospital in north Jersey. Samantha was disqualified after just one treatment because the exam on the following visit revealed that her Mast Cells had increased more than the strict limit of 20%. We found out later that Sam was part of the group that did receive the new drug. Unfortunately, it didn't have any effect on her. In February, still another Mast Cell tumor appeared in the same general area and once again she had surgery to remove it.

After that, we decided not to put her through any more surgeries. The only thing left was to just enjoy her for as long as possible. Our vet wrote a script for more Prednisone - only at a much higher dosage, and promised to refill it as often as needed while Sam was with us. Thank you Dr. Tomlinson, doing that bought us several more months with our precious puppy!

When I got home from work one night in late August, Darlene told me that Sam had started throwing up about 15 minutes before. Over the next few hours, Samantha threw up many more times - I stopped counting after the eleventh one. I didn't know it was possible for a dog to vomit so often in such a relatively short span of time. Sam was so very miserable that night!

The next day I called the vet's office to arrange to have Sam put down; after hanging up the phone I started getting ready for work. As I was brushing my teeth at the bathroom sink, I was thinking about how miserable Sam was the night before and how helpless I felt not being able to make her feel better. That, combined with the reality of the appointment I'd just made was a little overwhelming, and I began to sob. Almost immediately the thought came to my mind that "You mourn for a dog that's about to die, but what about your co-workers, the guy who pumps your gas or the cashier at the grocery store? Most of them are already dead spiritually. So where are the tears for them?"

Even then Sam was a blessing to me. God used her to show me that my dealings with others needed attention.

Sam was feeling better well before the Thursday appointment I'd made, and our very optimistic doctor said that maybe she just contracted a 24 hour bug, so we decided not to have her euthanized at that time.

It was almost déjà vu nearly three weeks later, though, when in less than 90 minutes, Sam went from begging for some of the food Darlene was cooking (very normal routine) to hiding out in the basement, throwing up and losing control of her bowels. When I found her lying in front of the clothes washer, she was pushing both of her sides so hard just to breathe that she reminded me of a blacksmith's bellows.

My heart sank because it was extremely obvious that she needed to be put down. Even when she tried thumping her tail against the floor when she saw me come around the corner of the basement, it wasn't enough to undo my knotted stomach. I called the nearest 24 hour animal hospital to ask them to prepare to put Sam down as soon as we could get her there.

Getting her out of the basement wasn't easy. Fortunately, earlier in the year we had purchased four body bags that have nylon loops riveted along both sides to allow sliding poles through to assist in carrying - like a litter. We had bought those specifically because of my concern of this very situation of attempting to transport a 107 pound animal. Even though it was still a struggle for Darlene and me to get her outside, it probably would have been impossible without the assistance of that "litter".

Once we were able to get Samantha in the back of the cargo van, we didn't waste any time getting her to the hospital that was less than ten miles away. Just before we got there, we heard a rather odd sound come from where Sam was in the cargo area.

I asked Darlene, "What was that noise?"

"I think she just threw up again."

"What, has she been eating gravel?"

To me, it sounded like someone took a handful of pebbles and threw them across the floor of the van.

It was either at that moment or soon after that Sam died. When they rushed the gurney out to put her on, she was already gone.

There are adjustments to losing a much loved pet of almost nine years. We have to remember to lock our doors now when we leave the house. Something we didn't have to do for all the time we had Sam. She provided more security than any dead bolt since her low, throaty growl could be very intimidating; just ask the man who came to do a city inspection of our home when we were thinking of selling. Sam was barely out of puppyhood when that happened and she didn't hesitate to let the guy know she knew he was there and she wasn't too happy about it. This big, burly guy froze like a statue when he heard Sam's "rumbling thunder". Didn't even turn his head, he just looked at me from the corner of his eye and asked with a slight quiver, "What was THAT?"

We miss that long-furred baseball bat of a tail thumping against the floor when we mentioned her name or when I would sing some of my silly songs about her.

Three-legged dogs make a distinctive sound when they go up and down steps, or just hopping down the hallway to get to the water dish. We miss that, too.

Most of all, we miss needing to use both arms to hug a big, warm and furry pup that shared our lives for almost nine years.

The picture in the middle at the top of the page is the artwork proof for Sam's black granite memorial stone. She truly was our wonderful gift from God and it was important to us to have that etched in granite to make a permanent declaration of that truth.

I don't know if we'll ever see Samantha again. The Bible isn't clear about what happens to our beloved pets when they die. But I am certain of this, because God promises it in His Word:

"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

And I can't wait!

About the Author

http://cooltopics.com/sam.html
I was the owner of Samantha Phillips and wanted to share our story of the nine wonderful years we enjoyed with this newfie mix.

Question about Polaroid's SX-70 and 600 Film?

Will I get the same vintage/lomo effect when I use 600 film in a SX-70? I'm planning on buying a SX-70, and time zero film is rare and expensive, so are the results with 600 worth it?

Anyway you do it with real Polaroid film will give you a vintage look.

I would stay away from SX-70 with 600 film. Just stick with the regular and very common "One Step" type 600 camera and buy 600 film for it.

MIT Museum Receives 70 Years of Polaroid History in Donation from PLR IP Holdings
CAMBRIDGE, MA.- MIT Museum announced that PLR IP Holdings, LLC (PLR), the owner of the Polaroid brand, has donated a collection of classic Polaroid products and prototype designs from its 73-year archive.

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