Meet Sampson.

Escondido, CA · 3 years · Maltese / Poodle (unknown type) / Mixed (medium coat)

Listed since Oct 27, 2026. Listing dates do not establish shelter intake or continuous availability.

First seen by Goodmorph Oct 30, 2026.

Rescue last updated: Oct 27, 2026

In the shelter’s words

MEET SAMPSON, A LITTLE SURVIVOR WITH A BIG HEART! ❤️ ​Sampson is a handsome 10-pound 3 yr old Poodle mix who has beaten the odds in ways no little puppy should ever have to. ​He had owners, yet he was still abandoned on the streets to fend for himself. What could a 5-month-old puppy have possibly done so wrong to endure this kind of heartbreak? ​His old tag said Oreo, but he is now our brave Sampson. He fought his way through starvation on the streets until he was rescued. But the unthinkable happened, while out there all alone, he caught distemper. ​Distemper takes so many. But Sampson was rescued for a reason, and he was so, so worth fighting for!! ​Today, he is truly the happiest, bravest boy we know ​Yes, the virus left him with nerve damage in his lower legs. But watching him go from complete lameness to getting up, walking, wobbling, and actually playing... words can’t even describe how much joy that brings to our hearts. Every little wobbly step he takes just shows us there is so much hope for his future. ​What is most breathtaking about Sampson is that none of this agony took away his beautiful spirit. ​He is so deeply affectionate, trusting, and just desperately wants to be loved. He walks right up to everyone he sees, ready to give his sweet heart away, and he is so happy just to be held by anyone willing to wrap their arms around him. Everyone who met him today absolutely fell in love with him! ​After everything this sweet little boy has endured, I know in my heart his special person is out there. ❤️ He deserves a safe, soft, loving home where someone will cherish him, protect him, and hold him tight for the rest of his life. ​Sampson has survived the hard part. Now, he just needs someone to love him forever. ​ If Sampson has touched your heart, please fill out an adoption application at tlck9rescue.org ​Please SHARE his post, let’s help this brave little boy find the home he fought so hard to reach! Thank you TLC K9 Rescue

RescueGroups record ID: 22879713

What this home needs

• Other dogs

  Mentioned by the shelter

  “Feed checkbox: Yes”

  Not a verified observation — ask staff about the context. A positive shelter report may support search results; it remains unverified and needs confirmation.

  Shelter statement ↗
• Children

  Mentioned by the shelter

  “Feed checkbox: Yes”

  Not a verified observation — ask staff about the context. A positive shelter report may support search results; it remains unverified and needs confirmation.

  Shelter statement ↗
• Still to ask the shelter

  cats · housing and stairs · medical and care. These details are not documented here; unknown does not mean no.

Roster last seen: Nov 2, 2026, 6:32 AM UTC
Goodmorph last synced: Nov 2, 2026, 6:32 AM UTC
Availability confirmed by a person: Not confirmed

Shelter staff and authorized volunteers: add a dated observation

This shared profile remains available for up to 90 days after it leaves the source roster, unless removal is requested sooner. Adoptions and applications are handled by the shelter.