Terry, I'm so sorry for your loss. Sam sounds like he was a great dog, and I'm glad for the years you got to spend with him.
I'm around, but (as some of you know) I lost my job a bit abruptly and it threw me into a bit of an emotional tailspin. I'm still reading, and commenting when I can find the energy, but creative output is currently on hold.
(I'm stealing Val's image too)