Newf Friends Newfoundland Dog Rescue is a volunteer run, foster home based rescue group for Newfoundland Dogs in need in Ontario, Canada. We place Newfs into carefully screened homes in Ontario and surrounding provinces and states. Established in 2008.
Remember Star, the senior Newf who was so matted upon arrival that we had no choice but to shave her? Well look at her now, her hair is growing in nicely and she has now gone for her first official grooming with her new family. Here's what they had to say:
Star gave her groomer Dan lots of kisses!! She was quite bouncy after her session and enjoyed looking at the cats, birds and rats at Pet Smart! She continues to be an awesome dog! Nancy
What a pretty girl! We're so happy to see you doing so great beautiful Star!
Luke entered our care on July 28, 2011 as an owner surrender. He has proven to be a sweet, gentle boy, nice to all people and dogs that he's encountered.
Luke is a very quiet, loving and calm boy. He loves attention and will gently nudge your hand or put his big head under it when he wants pets. He will sometimes softly woof when he feels you should be petting him, it's endearing. Luke is excellent with everybody he meets; people, dogs, cats, children... you name it. He could quite easily fit into a multi-pet household or one with children.
Luke loves people and follows his foster Mom and Dad around the house and yard. He can usually be found laying at their feet or at night beside their bed. He is a typical velcro Newf, preferring to always stick close to family. Calm in the house, Luke spends his day laying about (preferably on the couch!), cuddling his people and enjoying the air conditioned comfort of the house. It's too hot outside for a Newf!
Right now, Luke is not an overly active dog. This is probably due to his age, the heat of summer but also because he is a tad overweight, needing to lose 10-15 lbs. He has been put on a high quality, grain-free diet to help him shed some pounds and we will slowly introduce him to regular exercise. His new family will want to continue increasing his fitness level, perhaps saving the hard core walking for the Fall, when it's cooler.
Luke also knows basic obedience and takes direction well. He has nice leash manners and good recall. He loves the car and will eagerly hop in for rides. He is great for grooming sessions and lays calmly while being brushed (good thing!). At first he would squirm a bit or try and nibble his foster Mom's hand but with mild correction, he settled. He does not typically need to be told sometime twice; he's a very good boy!
All in all, Luke is a lovely dog and we simply can't find a single fault with him. He is quiet, calm and nice to everyone he meets; a true gentle giant. He will make a fantastic addition to a very lucky family.
Luke is 4 years old, neutered and will be brought up to date with his vaccines. He is being treated for ear infections but they should be cleared up by the time of his adoption. His coat needs extensive grooming and we will be working on getting out his full undercoat and matting over the coming weeks. Stay tuned for his 'after' pictures!
An adoption donation of $500 applies. To be considered for Luke please complete and submit an adoption application, found on the Contact Us page.
Luke is being fostered in the Brantford Ontario area and his adoptive family is required to pick him up in person. Sorry, no exceptions.
In loving memory of Mariah October 29, 2001 - July 23, 2011
Mariah came to Newf Friends on June 9, 2011 when her loving owner moved into an assisted living facility. Having known much love her entire life Mariah's confidence and friendly nature made her transition into foster care smooth and she quickly made herself at home with her new family. Mariah bonded easily with her foster guardians, and fit in well with the pack of dogs. She learned the routine, found her favourite spots in the house to nap, and always made sure she was first in line to go swimming.
Affectionate and loving, she always had a wagging tail, lots of slobbery kisses and she loved to be hugged and petted. She was a true gentle giant, everything a Newf should be. A real water baby, she loved her daily swims and was excellent at water rescue work and would often "help" the other Newfs in her foster home perfect their retrieving skills. She seemed to think two Newfs retrieving a paddle was always better than one.
On July 23 Mariah went about her usual routine and seemed to be her usual self. Late in the afternoon she suddenly collapsed and passed away peacefully and quickly of natural causes in the arms of her foster mom.
She knew much love her entire life, including in her final moments, and she will forever be in our hearts.
Remember Lily? She arrived in our care last winter along with her sister Penelope. The girls were both very poorly socialized and grossly underweight at 60 lbs. Well look at her now--35 lb weight gain, her confidence is continuing to grow and she is doing amazing! We love these happy endings! Here's what her adoptive family wrote:
Hi Sandra;
Quick note to let you know Lily is doing well. Her last check up at the vet weighed her at 95lbs. We were really pleased with that. Her spleen remains enlarged but our vet feels this could be a chronic condition due to her poor nutritional start in life. We will continue to monitor it with her yearly check up but since she is displaying no signs of illness we have agreed with our vet no investigations or treatment is required. She has lots of energy, has a beautiful shiny coat, her teeth and gums are healthy, she has a healthy appetite and best of all she’s putting on weight.
Lily is a really happy girl and has become a treasured member of our family. Her many anxieties are disappearing and she has slowly become more social with people and children. She depends on Molly, who is very social able to feel out the situation and if Molly thinks it is safe generally Lily will join. We try to expose her to different social situations as often as possible. In fact, we have just met two delightful little girls around the corner who are also named Molly and Lily and are very willing to help Lily with her fear of children. How great is that!
I’ve sent you a few pictures of our girls playing and swimming together. They are such great company for each other and bring such joy to our lives. You may receive an application for another adoption as we frequently toss the idea of adopting another newf around.
Newf lovers in the Ottawa area should be sure to pop by the Newf Friends booth at the Take the Plunge event! It's sure to be a great time for everyone, and we'll have lots of awesome merchandise for sale!
Meet Higgins! They don't come much gentler than this boy. He is calm, easy-going and gets along with everyone he meets. He is looking for a kind, quiet family to welcome him into their lives.
"Yes I drool"
This gorgeous 6 year old purebred Newf came to us as an owner surrender on July 18, 2011. His family had obtained him from Kijiji a few months ago and even though they loved him, they discovered that a Newf wasn't the dog for them so they decided to surrender him to us. When they got him from his original owner he was fairly matted so they had to shave parts of his coat, mostly his underbelly, legs and backend. Those areas are growing in nicely and overall his coat is in excellent shape; very shiny and healthy. He also at one point in his life had a very severe infection in his left ear. This caused permanent paralysis on the left side of his face and as a result he sometimes has an extra goofy look on his face. It also affected his inner ear and his perception of 'level' is a bit off so his head is at times tilted to the left. His ability to walk, run, eat, drink, give cuddles and look handsome were not affected at all. He is completely normal, just sometimes looks goofy.
"They tell me I sometimes look extra goofy."
Higgins is a very laid back and friendly guy. He gets along very well with other dogs and could happily live in a household with other well mannered dogs. At his age, he is not always interested in playing but he likes going for walks and hikes in the woods. He has very nice leash manners while out and about and is well mannered with all dogs, people, children and cats he encounters. He also enjoys being in water and really likes the kiddie pool at his foster home. We're sure he would enjoy swimming in a larger body of water if he had access to it. Higgins also really likes cats. At his foster home he tries to gently lick them and will paw them ever so softly in an attempt to play or perhaps just to say hello. It is adorable and super sweet. Needless to say, he could quite peacefully live with cats.
Simply Gorgeous!
In the house, Higgins is just lovely; extremely calm, quiet and gentle. He adores people (including children) and receiving attention. If he's being pet and you stop, he will gently nudge or paw you to continue. If you're sitting on the couch, Higgins will mosey over and place his big head on your lap for pets. He is a complete and total love bug! See his video below for proof!
An ideal day for Higgins would involve a few walks, lots of time spent laying around napping, maybe a swim and of course receiving loads of cuddles. He does have a keen interest in the goings-on of the kitchen and is known to counter surf and beg for food. He is not overly pesky, but he is tall and when he wants, he can easily take food from countertops so his new family will want to either work on this (or not leave food unattended!). Overall though, he is a darling, perfect Newf.
"I can rest my head right on this low counter, perfect level for begging!"
Taking a break
The only behaviour issue that Higgins has is that he gets spooked by loud, unexpected noises. When this happens he bolts away. For this reason a fenced yard is a must for this boy.
Higgins is a truly, lovely gentle giant, sure to bring much love and enjoyment to a lucky family. Born March 13, 2005 he is a purebred male Newfoundland. He weighs 140 lbs (though he could stand to lose a few pounds), is neutered and up to date with his vaccines. He is in excellent health and is ready to join a loving family.
An adoption donation of $500 applies. To be considered for Higgins please complete and submit an adoption application, found on the Contact Us page.
Higgins is being fostered in the Brantford Ontario area and his adoptive family is required to pick him up in person. Sorry, no exceptions.
Say hello to Duke, a friendly and lovable fella' who is 4 years old and looking for loving! This super friendly boy is ready to make one lucky family very happy! Playful and full of life, he is a fantastic, fun loving fella' who is looking for a family to call his own.
I love to play!
Through no fault of his own Duke came to our parent all-breed rescue group HART as an owner surrender. He had been living tied on a short rope outdoors for the last 3 years until his owner decided that Duke's needs would be better met elsewhere.
We are not sure of his breed, but he has the face of a Collie or Flat Coated Retriever, the coat of a Newf and is the size of a Golden Retriever, around 80 lbs. He's a mystery and a great candidate for a DNA test! We are pretty sure there's Newf in this boy, but are not sure what else! Whatever his breed, he's a real sweetheart, cute as can be, and has a wonderful personality. What a fun boy! He is a playful boy who loves to romp and play with toys, he has a great time tossing them about and prancing around. Duke has decent leash manners and is improving in the care of his foster family. He has a wagging tail and a smiling face for everyone he meets. He knows some basic commands and is crate trained. Duke wants nothing more than a family to call his own where he will get lots of loving. What a sweet boy!
Duke gets along with other dogs so could join a family with another well socialized four footed playmate although he would be happy as an only dog too. Duke wants to play with other dogs, but is lacking confidence and can be a bit fearful so he will benefit from further socialization and time with a handler that is dog savvy. He does guard his food from other dogs but responds well to correction. He has lots to learn, but seems eager to learn and responds well to direction.
Duke is neutered and UTD on vaccines. He is fearful when receiving veterinary care and will need some gentle handling in his adoptive home to help him work through these fears. Already he has made tremendous progress and his most recent vet visit was a huge success! Way to go Duke!
Since we believe Duke is a Newf mix, his adoption will be screened via Newf Friends so if you would like to add this delightful boy to your family, please complete an adoption application found on the Contact page of this website to begin the screening process.
An adoption donation of $350 applies and a fenced yard is required.
Know how to treat and prevent this dangerous condition.
What is heatstroke?
In simple terms, heatstroke occurs when a dog loses its natural ability to regulate its body temperature. Dogs don't sweat all over their bodies the way humans do. Canine body temperature is primarily regulated through respiration (i.e., panting). If a dog's respiratory tract cannot evacuate heat quickly enough, heatstroke can occur.
To know whether or not your dog is suffering from heatstroke (as opposed to merely heat exposure), it's important to know the signs of heatstroke.
A dog's normal resting temperature is about 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Once a dog's temperature rises above 105 degrees, physiological changes start to take place, and the dog begins to experience the effects of heatstroke. At 106 to 108 degrees, the dog begins to suffer irreversible damage to the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract, heart and brain.
If a dog is experiencing heatstroke, you may observe excessive panting; hyperventilation; increased salivation; dry gums that become pale, grayish and tacky; rapid or erratic pulse; weakness; confusion; inattention; vomiting; diarrhea; and possible rectal bleeding. If the dog continues to overheat, breathing efforts become slowed or absent, and finally, seizures or coma can occur.
The amount of damage a dog sustains when stricken with heatstroke depends on the magnitude and duration of the exposure. The longer and more severe the exposure, the worse the damage will be.
What to do:
1. Pay attention to your dog. Recognizing the symptoms of heatstroke and responding quickly is essential for the best possible outcome.
2. Get into the shade. If you think your dog is suffering from heatstroke, move it into a shaded area and out of direct sunlight. Apply cool (not cold) water to the inner thighs and stomach of the dog, where there's a higher concentration of relatively superficial, large blood vessels. Apply cool water to the foot pads, as well.
3. Use running water. A faucet or hose is the best way to wet down your dog's body. Never submerge your dog in water, such as in a pool or tub - this could cool the dog too rapidly, leading to further complications, including cardiac arrest and bloating.
4. Use cool - not cold - water. Many people make the mistake of using cold water or ice to cool the dog. When faced with a dog suffering from heatstroke, remember that the goal is to cool the dog. Using ice or extremely cold water is actually counterproductive to this process because ice and cold water cause the blood vessels to constrict, which slows blood flow, thus slowing the cooling process.
5. Don't cover the dog. One of the keys to successfully cooling your dog is ensuring the water being placed on the dog can evaporate. Never cover an overheated dog with a wet towel or blanket. This inhibits evaporation and creates a sauna effect around your dog's body. Likewise, don't wet the dog down and put it into an enclosed area, such as a kennel. Any air flow during the cooling process is helpful in reducing the dog's body temperature. Sitting with the wet dog in a running car with the air conditioner blowing is an ideal cooling situation.
6. Keep the dog moving. It's important to try to encourage your dog to stand or walk slowly as it cools down. This is because the circulating blood tends to pool in certain areas if the dog is lying down, thus preventing the cooled blood from circulating back to the core.
7. Allow the dog to drink small amounts of water. Cooling the dog is the first priority. Hydration is the next. Don't allow the dog to gulp water. Instead, offer small amounts of water that's cool, but not cold. If the dog drinks too much water too rapidly, it could lead to vomiting or bloat.
8. Avoid giving human performance drinks. Performance beverages designed for humans are not recommended because they are not formulated with the canine's physiology in mind. If you can't get an overheated dog to drink water, try offering chicken- or beef-based broths.
See a veterinarian
Once your dog's temperature begins to drop, cease the cooling efforts and bring the dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Your dog's temperature should be allowed to slowly return to normal once cooling has begun. A dog that's cooled too quickly may become hypothermic.
Even if your dog appears to be fully recovered, the veterinarian needs to check to determine if the heatstroke caused any damage to your dog's kidneys and liver. The effects of heatstroke can continue for 48 to 72 hours longer, even if your dog appears normal.
William Grant, DVM, a veterinarian for 20 years and former president of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, has treated hundreds of cases of heatstroke, ranging from mild to fatal.
According to Grant, the most common cause of death following heatstroke is disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (blood coagulating throughout the body), or DIC, which can occur hours or days after the heatstroke episode.
DIC can also be caused by pyometra or septicemia, but Grant says heatstroke is the most common cause. "Once a dog develops DIC, it may bleed in the thorax, abdomen, nose and intestine," Grant says. "Once the blood-clotting factors are consumed, there is an inability of the blood vessels to prevent leaking; the condition is almost always fatal." For this reason, follow-up veterinary care is essential following a heatstroke episode, even if your dog seems to be completely fine.
Prevention is the best medicine
The best treatment for heatstroke is prevention. Especially during the summer months, it's essential to be aware of the potential for heatstroke. Knowing the signs of heatstroke, and taking the necessary steps to prevent it, will ensure your dog can have a safe and active life year-round.
There's lots going on at Newf Friends! Here's an update:
Yogi the Saint (who we are fostering for our parent group HART) is still waiting for a family to love - please spread the word!!! This sweet boy loves people and is friendly and social, he really is a wonderful Saint. Read all about him here. Because Yogi's needs are unique we WILL consider placing him into a home outside of our catchment area. Please cross post his bio to help us find him a perfect home!
Beautiful Jade is still waiting for her perfect home to come along. She is all healed from surgery and ready to join her perfect family. Jade is a wonderful girl, a real gem! Details about Jade can be read here.
Sweet Valerie is also still waiting for a family to love. Cute as a button, loving and affectionate, this girl is a playful Newf mix who is looking for her perfect home. She is a fun loving girl who will light up your life! Read about her here.
Mariah is waiting for her perfect family to come along. If you are looking for a low key, quiet gal who loves to snuggle check out Mariah's bio.
Pretty girl Luna has an adoption pending where she'll be living with Tabitha, her buddy from her foster home!
Pretty Tabitha will be joining her new family on July 17, along with Luna!
Lovely Jazz has been adopted. Congratulations!
Be sure to visit us at some of the upcoming events we will be attending:
Visit our booth at the Cloyne Craft Show Aug 5 - 7, 2011
See us at S.D.& G. Dog Show Aug 26-29, 2011 Held at Woodlands Campground on the Long Sault Parkway
Check us out at PoochPalooza September 24-25, 2011 in Caledon, ON.
Our new line of Newf themed merchandise is ready to go! Our Online Store is updated and we are ready to take orders! Shipping will start once the postal strike ends.
Our parent group HART has dogs of all shapes and sizes available for adoption. If you know of any loving families who are looking to adopt a dog, please direct them to HART!
Remember Star, the senior Newf who was so matted upon arrival that we had no choice but to shave her? Well look at her now, her hair is growing in nicely and she has now gone for her first official grooming with her new family. Here's what they had to say:
What a pretty girl! We're so happy to see you doing so great beautiful Star!
