Dear Newf Friends,

My name is Crystal Parsons, I am a Newfoundlander who has been involved for a few years now with the Commemoration of Beaumont-Hamel ceremony which is marked every July 1 in Ottawa at the National War Memorial.

Last year, after I layed the wreath, I recall looking at the crowds from the steps of the War Memorial and remarking to myself "Goodness! Look at all the Newfoundland dogs! I wonder where they all came from?!"

Imagine my surprise when a co-worker told me just recently about your group and that there was a posting on your blog encouraging Newfoundland dog owners to bring their dogs to the War Memorial! The post was correct indeed - the crowds are thrilled to see the dogs and we welcome everyone - four-footed or two!

I wanted to let you know that there is one error though - this year the ceremony starts at 8:30! Below are the details and itinerary for our event this year - please pass it along to your members as we would love to see as many people in attendance as possible!

It's a very special ceremony this year as we mark the 95th anniversary of Beaumont-Hamel. You may also be interested to know that for the first time in our nation's history, soldiers from the Royal Newfoundland Regiment will stand guard over the Memorial for the full day on Canada Day.

Thanks for helping to spread the word about this very important commemorative event!

Best wishes,

Crystal Parsons

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95th ANNIVERSARY - COMMEMORATION OF THE BATTLE OF BEAUMONT-HAMEL

Please join us for this deeply important event to commemorate all Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans who fought at Beaumont-Hamel (France) in 1916.

July 1st, 2011
The National War Memorial (Cenotaph)
Corner of Wellington and Elgin, Ottawa, Ontario

Starts at 8:30 a.m. sharp (rain or shine)
Guests to arrive starting 8:00 a.m.

Join us for an historic ceremony as soldiers from the Royal Newfoundland Regiment stand in honour at the Cenotaph for the 24 hour period during Canada Day. The Lake Academy Choir, Fortune and Atlantic Voices Choir, Ottawa will lead the Ode to Newfoundland (see below).

Ensure the tradition continues. Please circulate this message to others; all are welcome!

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The Ceremony

08:30 At the signal of the Master of Ceremonies, Sergeant Andrew Moore, Air Command Pipes and Drums will play a musical interlude to call the ceremony to attention.

8:32 God Save The Queen performed by a band of the Canadian Forces and accompanied by the Atlantic Voices Choir and the Lake Academy Choir.

8:35 The Last Post performed by the Canadian Forces Bugler.

8:37 Moment of Silence will be observed.

8:38 The Rouse performed by the Canadian Forces Bugler.

8:39 The Lament performed by Sergeant Andrew Moore, Air Command Pipes and Drums.

8:41 Act of Remembrance will be read in English and French

8:42 Act of Remembrance will be read in Innu language by The Honourable Peter Penashue, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.

8:43 Offering of prayers.

8:45 Reading of Loyola Hearn’s poem, Only One Tree.

8:47 Wreath laying.

8:51 Ode to Newfoundland performed by the Lake Academy Choir and the Atlantic Voices Choir, accompanied by a band of the Canadian Forces.

8:54 Master of Ceremonies will announce the formal ending of the ceremony

8:55 O Canada performed by a band of the Canadian Forces and accompanied by The Atlantic Voices Choir and The Lake Academy Choir.

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Ode to Newfoundland

Written by Sir Cavendish Boyle (1849-1916)
Music composed by Sir C. Hubert Parry (1848-1918)

When sun-rays crown thy pine-clad hills,
And summer spreads her hand,
When silvern voices tune thy rills,
We love thee, smiling land,
We love thee, we love thee,
We love thee smiling land.

When spreads thy cloak of shimm'ring white,
At winter's stern command,
Thro' shortened day and star-lit night,
We love thee, frozen land,
We love thee, we love thee,
We love thee, frozen land.

When blinding storm gust fret thy shore,
And wild waves lash thy strand,
Thro'sprindrift swirl and tempest roar,
We love thee, we love thee
We love thee, wind swept land.

As loved our fathers, so we love,
Where once they stood we stand,
Their prayer we raise to heaven above,
God guard thee, Newfoundland,
God guard thee, God guard thee,
Good guard thee, Newfoundland.

We've been busy as ever, again!

Remember Penelope?? She entered our rescue program in January 2011 as an underweight, unsocialized young girl who needed eye surgery and lots of help to be confident and happy. She spent four months in foster care having her medical and socialization needs taken care of before being adopted by a wonderful family. Well look at her now!! We just received this update:

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Penelope with her brother Angus

Kerri

P.S. I've sent a few pictures and her announcement.

Best friends!

Making friends

A natural swimmer!

"Look at me go Mom!"

Announcement card her family sent out

Surveying the forest

A message from Joan, one of our supporters:

Hi to anyone who might be anywhere in the vicinity of Ottawa on July 1st,

This year is the 95th Anniversary of the Battle of Beaumont Hamel when so many Newfoundlanders were killed. There will be a Memorial service at the War Memorial in downtown Ottawa at 830am. The Atlantic Voices Choir will be singing along with a children's choir from Newfoundland. It is always wonderful to have as many Newfoundland dogs as possible there in memory of "Sable Chief", the Newfoundland dog mascot of the Newfoundland Regiment during WWI. It also delights the many Newfoundlanders who come out for the ceremony to see our Newfoundland dogs. Tiika will be on stage as Mascot for Atlantic Voices, and hopefully as many as possible of you will be there with your dogs, too.

Looking forward to seeing you there. You might even get to see the new Royal couple!

Alex & Bernadette

We are experiencing technical difficulties with our NewfStock server which hosts our online store and many of our online forms. A volunteer is looking into this and working to resolve the issue.

Anyone needing an adoption application, foster application or surrender form please email us directly at newf.friends@gmail.com and we can forward the file to you.

We apologize for the inconvenience and hope to have this matter resolved shortly.

It's been a busy few weeks once again, and there has been a steady stream of Newfs in need making their way to our rescue. We have some really fabulous dogs waiting for loving homes.

July 23, 2011: Sadly, sweet Mariah passed away suddenly today in the arms of her foster mom. It is believed that she had a massive heart attack..
She left us having known much love and living life to the fullest doing all of the things she loved.
Forever in our hearts.....


Meet Mariah, a gorgeous purebred Newf who is 9.5 yrs years old and looking for a loving family to spend her senior years with. She is an absolute doll - friendly, social, quiet and gentle as can be.


Mariah came to us, along with her pals Buttercup and Jazz after their owner's health necessitated that she move into a long term care facility. A heartbreaking decision for everyone involved.


Mariah is the most calm, cool, collected of the three girls -- a confident, alpha girl. She is gentle, patient, and affectionate. Having known much love in her life, she seeks out hugs and kisses from people and wants nothing more than to be petted and cuddled.


With typical Newf temperament, she takes everything in stride and is a true gentle giant. She gets along well with everyone, 2 and four legged, and is an all around wonderful girl. She could join a family with another well socialized dog -- she is happiest in the company of other Newfs.





She is UTD on vaccines and is undergoing treatment for ear infections. On intake it was determined she will need to drop about 15-20 lbs. before she is able to be spayed, and she is already well on the way to doing this. She gets around well, has no difficulty with stairs and is in overall good health for a senior gal.


Sweet "Mars-Bar" is very bonded to people and would be happiest in a home with someone around most of the time. She is an avid swimmer and would love to have access to regular swimming in her adoptive home.




To be considered for adopting Mariah, please complete an adoption application and return it to us to begin the screening process. Because she is a senior our usual adoption fee of $500 will be reduced to $250.


Mariah is being fostered in the Bancroft area. We do not ship dogs, and Mariah's adoptive family will be required to pick her up in person.