Samson in Heart the Lover: Character Analysis

Overview: A Quiet Hero of Grief and Loyalty

Samson in Heart the Lover: Character Analysis

Samson is a nine-year-old black Labrador retriever who belongs to Judy, a woman living with her elderly parents, D. L. and Grace. He appears in two chapters of Heart the Lover: “Permission to Grieve” (chapter 13) and “A Tale of Two Dogs” (chapter 24). Though he never performs a public service or gains viral fame, Samson’s quiet, steadfast presence becomes a lifeline for Judy and her mother as they navigate two devastating losses. The book presents him as a model of loyalty and faithfulness, a companion whose instinctive actions help his humans find permission to mourn and a path toward healing.

Samson’s story is told through the lens of a devotional, but his character emerges as fully realized: he grieves, he comforts, and he adapts to the changing needs of his family. His actions are simple yet profound, and they carry the emotional weight of the narrative.

Plot Role: The Steady Companion in Times of Loss

Samson’s role in the book is not that of a protagonist but of a catalyst for emotional release and connection. In “Permission to Grieve,” he is present during Grace’s death at home under hospice care. Judy, the youngest of four children and Grace’s only daughter, has been living with her mother and Samson since her father’s death years earlier. As Judy begins planning funeral arrangements and waiting for her brothers, Samson starts pacing and panting—a clear sign of distress. The hospice nurse suggests letting him see and smell Grace one last time, and Samson’s response—sniffing, nuzzling, whining, then lying down—prompts the nurse to say, “He needs time to grieve too.” That simple observation gives Judy permission to mourn, and she finally lets her tears flow.

In “A Tale of Two Dogs,” Samson’s earlier history is revealed. He stayed with D. L. and Grace during the day while Judy worked. He played ball with D. L. for hours, often with D. L. throwing from a chair because the dog’s endurance outmatched his own. When D. L. became too ill to leave his bed, Samson climbed up beside him and remained there until D. L. drew his last breath. After that, Samson turned his attention to Grace and Judy, lying with Judy at night as she cried and sitting with Grace each day as she mourned.

Samson’s plot role is to embody the themes of loyalty and faithful companionship. He does not solve problems or make grand gestures; he simply stays. His presence steadies both women through the storm of grief, helping them find a new normal.

Motivations and Traits Shown Through Actions

Samson’s motivations are never stated in words—he is a dog—but his actions reveal a deep, instinctive loyalty and an uncanny sensitivity to human emotion. The text describes him as “ever the devoted companion” and notes that he rarely left Judy’s side during the morning of Grace’s death. He had also rarely left Grace’s bedroom in the days leading up to her passing. This behavior suggests a motivation rooted in attachment and a desire to be near those he loves, especially when they are vulnerable.

His traits include:

Loyalty: He stays with D. L. through his final illness, even climbing onto the bed to remain close. After D. L.’s death, he shifts his devotion to Grace and Judy.
Intuition: He senses Judy’s distress and lies with her at night as she cries. He also paces and pants when he perceives the finality of Grace’s death, showing that he understands something profound has changed.
Patience: He sits with Grace each day as she mourns, offering silent companionship without demanding attention.
Grief: His whine and decision to lie down after sniffing Grace’s body demonstrate that he experiences loss in his own way.

These traits are shown through concrete actions rather than exposition, making Samson a believable and moving character.

Chronological Arc: From Playful Shadow to Grieving Companion

Samson’s arc spans several years, though the book presents it in two key chapters. The timeline is as follows:

Early years with D. L. and Grace: Samson lives with Judy’s parents during the day while Judy works. He plays ball with D. L. for hours, often with D. L. throwing from a chair. He follows D. L. around “like a shadow,” indicating a close bond.
D. L.’s illness and death: When D. L. becomes too sick to get out of bed, Samson climbs up next to him and remains by his side until D. L. dies. After taking a final sniff of his “favorite ball thrower,” Samson turns his attention to Grace and Judy.
Comforting the survivors: Samson lies with Judy at night as she cries and sits with Grace each day as she mourns. His constant presence helps both women adjust to life without D. L.
Grace’s death: Years later, Grace dies at home. Samson paces and pants, and the nurse suggests letting him say goodbye. He sniffs and nuzzles Grace, whines, and lies down. The nurse’s words give Judy permission to grieve.
After Grace’s death: Samson lies on his bed with his eyes closed, seemingly exhausted from the weight of loss. Judy thanks him for staying with her.

This arc shows Samson moving from an active, playful companion to a quiet, steady presence in the face of loss. His grief is not dramatic but palpable, and his ability to remain present through multiple deaths makes him a symbol of enduring faithfulness.

Relationships: Bonds That Define Him

Samson’s relationships are central to his character.

With D. L.: Samson’s bond with Judy’s father is playful and affectionate. He plays ball with D. L. for hours, and D. L. throws from a chair because the dog’s endurance outmatches his own. When D. L. becomes ill, Samson stays by his side in bed, refusing to leave. This relationship shows Samson’s capacity for deep attachment and his willingness to shift from play to caregiving.
With Grace: Samson stays with Grace during the day while Judy works. After D. L.’s death, he sits with Grace each day as she mourns. When Grace dies, Samson’s reaction—sniffing, nuzzling, whining—shows that he recognizes her absence. His presence with Grace in her final days and after her death underscores his role as a companion to the whole family.
With Judy: Judy is Samson’s primary owner. He rarely leaves her side, especially during times of crisis. He lies with her at night as she cries after D. L.’s death, and he stays with her through the morning of Grace’s death. Judy acknowledges his importance, thanking him for staying with her and noting that he always knows what she needs.
With the hospice nurse: The nurse is a minor but pivotal figure. She recognizes Samson’s distress and suggests letting him see Grace’s body. Her words—“He needs time to grieve too”—are meant for Samson but also give Judy permission to mourn. This interaction highlights how Samson’s needs are intertwined with Judy’s emotional release.

Key Decisions and Consequences

While Samson does not make conscious choices in the way a human would, his actions have significant consequences.

Staying with D. L. during his illness: Samson chooses to remain by D. L.’s side rather than leaving the room. This decision provides comfort to D. L. and later becomes a source of solace for Judy and Grace, who witness his loyalty.
Shifting his attention to Grace and Judy after D. L.’s death: Instead of remaining fixated on the loss, Samson turns his care toward the living. This helps both women feel supported and less alone.
Sniffing and nuzzling Grace’s body: When the nurse suggests this, Samson’s action—whining and lying down—demonstrates his understanding of death. This moment directly leads to Judy’s release of tears and her decision to postpone her to-do list.
Lying with Judy at night: This simple act of physical closeness provides Judy with comfort and a sense of being accompanied in her grief.

The consequences of these actions are emotional healing and a strengthened bond between Samson and his humans. The book suggests that his presence helps them “find their way to a new normal.”

Theme and Symbol Connections

Samson embodies several themes in Heart the Lover.

Loyalty and Faithful Companionship: This is the most direct theme. The chapter “A Tale of Two Dogs” explicitly compares Samson to Sully, the service dog of President George H. W. Bush, who lay before the president’s flag-draped coffin. Both dogs demonstrate loyalty and faithfulness, though Samson’s service is private and unheralded. The chapter’s proverb, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you,” frames Samson as a living example of these virtues.
Grief, Healing, and Comfort: Samson’s role in helping Judy and Grace grieve is central. His presence gives Judy permission to mourn, and his own grief—pacing, whining, lying down—validates the emotional weight of loss. The nurse’s words about Samson needing time to grieve become a turning point for Judy’s healing.
Divine Guidance and Obedience: The book is a devotional, and Samson’s actions can be seen as a form of instinctive obedience to a higher purpose. The nurse’s suggestion, which comes from a place of compassion, can be interpreted as a moment of divine guidance. Judy’s decision to let go of her to-do list and embrace her grief reflects a trust in that guidance.
Overcoming Fear Through Trust: While Samson does not directly address fear, his steady presence helps Judy face the fear of loss and the overwhelming weight of responsibility. His trustworthiness allows Judy to lean into her grief rather than suppress it.
Wisdom Versus Foolishness: Samson’s behavior is wise in its simplicity—he knows when to be present, when to nuzzle, and when to lie down. The book contrasts this with the human tendency to rush into action (Judy’s initial impulse to plan) and suggests that sometimes the wisest response is to simply stay.

For deeper exploration, see the themes of loyalty and faithful companionship, grief healing and comfort, and divine guidance and obedience.

Questions and Answers

1. What does Samson do when Grace dies?

Samson begins pacing and panting, showing distress. The hospice nurse suggests letting him see and smell Grace one last time. He sniffs and nuzzles her, whines, and then lies down. This action helps Judy understand that grief is a natural process for both of them.

2. How does Samson help Judy after D. L.’s death?

After D. L. dies, Samson lies with Judy at night as she cries. He also sits with Grace each day as she mourns. His constant presence steadies both women and helps them adjust to life without D. L.

3. What role does the hospice nurse play in Samson’s story?

The nurse notices Samson’s nervous panting and suggests letting him see Grace’s body to help him understand and relax. After Samson sniffs and nuzzles Grace, the nurse says, “He needs time to grieve too.” These words give Judy permission to mourn, making the nurse a catalyst for Judy’s emotional release.

4. How does Samson’s relationship with D. L. change over time?

Initially, Samson plays ball with D. L. for hours, often with D. L. throwing from a chair. When D. L. becomes too ill to leave his bed, Samson climbs up next to him and remains by his side until D. L. dies. This shift from playful companion to caregiver shows Samson’s deep loyalty.

5. In “A Tale of Two Dogs,” how is Samson compared to Sully?

Sully was the service dog of President George H. W. Bush, and a photo of him lying before the president’s flag-draped coffin became widely shared. Samson, though unknown to the world, demonstrates the same loyalty and faithfulness in a private, humble way. The chapter suggests that both dogs embody love and faithfulness, and that Samson is a hero in Judy’s eyes.

For more on the book’s ending and other questions, see the ending explained and questions and answers pages.