When Bob Godkin’s best friend Sam recently passed away, he was laid to rest in a casket and vault built specially for him by the Addison resident.
“He was a member of the family,” said Godkin of his 14-year-old Golden Retriever.
Sam was laid to rest in a special casket made of walnut and cherry woods, created by Godkin, who’s hobby is woodworking.
“It’s something I wanted to do for him,” he said.
The three-foot casket took two years for Godkin to construct.
Sam’s ashes were placed in the casket along with his food dish, the pail in which his food was stored, his favorite blanket and a photograph of him wearing a top hat and tuxedo at Godkin’s daughter’s wedding.
To protect the casket from decay, it was placed in a cement vault below ground in Godkin’s yard.
“He was such a great dog. Laid back. A loyal friend. He would do anything I would ask him to do,” Godkin said.
Godkin fondly recalled the many outfits he dressed Sam in over the years including a Santa Claus suit, helmet and sunglasses (for when he rode on the snowmobile with Godkin) and a baseball cap.
“I really miss him,” he said.