Newf Friends

Update: January 23, 2012

2012-01-23T12:06:00.004-05:00

Here's what we were up to last week:

Sweet 4 year old gal Katie arrived yesterday and is settling into foster care. This playful girl will be spayed shortly and ready to join a great family. Her bio will be updated soon, once we get to know her.

Remember Valerie? This silly girl joined an adoptive family last year and over the last few months they have been working hard to overcome issues between her and one of their other dogs. Unfortunately, it is just not working out and the decision has been made to find Valerie a new home. This playful girl has so much love to give, please help us find her a great home! Read about her here.

Sweet girl Rosie is doing great in foster care. We've received loads of applications for her and are still making our way through applications to find her perfect home. Read her bio here.

Adorable fella' Tyson is also doing terrific and is searching for a loving family to call his own. Read about Tyson here.

Sweet boy Tycho has been waiting far too long for a home - please help us find a home for this boy! This sensitive Newf just needs someone to love him. Do you have room in your heart for this gentle giant? Please consider opening your home to this loving boy. He needs a family. Read his bio here.

Goofy boy Marvin is recovering well from surgery. If you're looking for a playful, goofy, active Newf, Marvin's your boy! His bio can be read here.

Handsome boy Inti is doing awesome in foster care. This boy is a wonderful dog and will make an excellent companion for a loving family in search of a friendly, calm Newf to hang out with. Don't miss out on a chance to make this senior part of your family! Read all about him here.

Sweet girl Beatrice has an adoption pending. Read about her here.

River may have found a forever home -- we're waiting on a home visit! Fingers crossed! Read about River here.

Beautiful gal Maggie arrived in our care, was spayed and already has an adoption pending! Lucky girl Maggie!

Love bug Thunder was adopted! Congratulations sweet boy!

Did you know that Back-Yard-Breeders are a huge threat to the Newfoundland Dog breed? Over 3/4 of the Newfs in need of rescue were bred by BYB. Follow along on our FaceBook page as we post daily tips to help people identify BYB!

If you or someone you know is looking for a new canine family member that isn't a Newf, be sure to visit HART, our parent all breed rescue group's PetFinder listings. They've got wonderful dogs of all shapes and sizes, coats and ages who are waiting for great families to adopt them.
HART is also in need of foster homes across Ontario! HART rescues a large number of dogs and the need is great for foster families -- they can only save the lives of those dogs they have a foster space for, and their foster homes fill up quickly. If fostering Newfs isn't for you, then consider fostering for HART's all breed program where many smaller dogs are in need of loving foster homes. You can download the application here.

Hotel space for NewfStock 2012 is filling up quickly! Check out our NewfStock Blog for accommodation details and get your room booked right away!

Katie

2012-01-22T17:14:00.019-05:00

Katie
#4103

Hello there, I'm Katie! I'm a super sweet girl, with a whole lot of enthusiasm for life. My foster mom says my exuberance makes her smile. A lot.

I love walks. Wait, did I say I love walks? No, I LIVE for walks! You take out the leash and I'll leap around like it's the best day ever. I'm a go-getter for sure - especially if there's snow on the ground I can eat and roll in. Mmmmm snow.

My foster mom says I need to work on my leash manners a bit - I can get distracted by cats. My foster mom is working on keeping me focused.

Oh, and while walks are awesomesauce, I really just like to sleep at my foster mom's feet when I'm indoors. That's when I'm not looking for some ear/back/belly/chin/nose scratches. Watch out folks, I'm a cuddler! And I love every person I meet.

Katie in one of her favourite poses

Most dogs are cool and I don't mind hanging out and watching them. I am used to being an only dog so I'd be happy either joining a family without another dog, or hanging out with a well socialized, easy going pal.

I like to do my own thing outside and hang with my family more than with other dogs. I'll stick by you always. Did I mention I like to chase cats?

I came to Newf Friends on January 22 after my momma decided I'd be better in a home where I would have space to exercise. I get excited about everything life has to offer and I need someone with experience with large dogs - Just to make sure I remember my manners when I'm in full-on enthusiasm mode.

I'm still learning some basic commands but my foster mom says I learn quickly. Especially when she offers cheese as a treat. I'm a BIG fan of cheddar. Remember that!

I was born May 27, 2008 so I'm 3 1/2 years old. I will be spayed before I join my new family and my vaccines are already up to date.

I'm being fostered in the Oakville area. My new family will need to pick me up in person. A $500 adoption donation applies. If you think you'd like to adopt me, fill out an adoption application and email it back to the Newf Friends folks!

Maggie

2012-01-18T14:53:00.006-05:00

Maggie

#4102

January 24, 2012: Maggie was adopted!

Nope, I'm not a Newf! I'm a gorgeous young St. Bernard that these kind Newfie people took under their wing. I'm so glad because I'm told I'll find a super family to cherish and take care of me forever. Let me tell you a bit more about myself to help you decide if I'm the girl for you.

I came to the Newfie folk on January 18, 2012 because my Momma had a whole bunch of really awful stressful things happen to her over the past few months. Terrible! Anyways, she had me since I was 6 months old (I'm 2 1/2 now), took wonderful care of me and made me into the awesome, well socialized girl that I am. She was devastated to have to let me go but the Newfie foster lady told her that she would only adopt to me to the most wonderful family. That made us both feel better.

Anywho... enough about that.. let me tell you some good stuff. I love other dogs and am great with all sizes... giant, medium and teeny tiny. I also love cats! Another favourite thing of mine? People!! I love to give big goobery kisses and receive loads of attention. I'm nice to everyone I meet, never jumping up or misbehaving. I grew up with children so I love them too and am very gentle and sweet. I would positively be over the moon if i could join a family with another dog for me to play with and kids for me to snuggle. Heaven!!

What else?? Oh oh oh, I know! I love the car! I hop right in and settle in for a drive to somewhere fun. Maybe the dog park or the beach or a hike. You name it, I'm game! I'm really good at listening to my peeps and want to please. I might need a little work with my leash skills but no worries, I'm easy to manage, especially when I'm wearing my harness. Yahooo!

When I'm the house, I'm calm. I don't really bark much or get into things that I shouldn't. I'm a just a perfect big girl and could fit in almost anywhere! I love other dogs, cats, people, kids... what a catch I am!

Now I know if you're on this website you probably like those big black hairy dogs but guess what? Newfs and Saints go together like PB&J. Check me out with fellow foster dog Rosie in the videos. We just met and we already love each other and look at us play... awesome eh?!? Us Saints are perfect playmates for Newfs. We both drool a lot, same size, love to snuggle and like to be with our people. And one more added bonus about me? I'm a smooth coat Saint! I don't require as much brushing as a Newf. What do you think of that! Foster Mom said it was great.

I love the snow!

I am in great shape, have no health concerns and I have now been spayed. I'm 2.5 years old and weigh about 114 lbs. I'm being fostered in the Guelph Ontario area and if you're approved to adopt me you have to come and pick me up in person. An adoption donation of $500 applies. To be considered for adopting me just complete the Newf Friends adoption application (you can pretend it says Saint wherever you see Newf.)

i can't wait to meet you!!

Update: January 16, 2012

2012-01-16T12:24:00.002-05:00

Here's what we've been up to over the last week!

Sweet girl Rosie is doing great in foster care. We've received loads of applications for her and will be screening this week to find her very best match. Read her bio here.

Adorable fella' Tyson is also doing terrific and is searching for a loving family to call his own. Read about Tyson here.

Love bug Thunder is simply adorable -- look at his gorgeous brown coat! He has settled well into foster care and hopes to find a home soon. Thunder's bio can be seen here.

Sweet boy Tycho has been waiting far too long for a home. This sensitive boy just needs someone to love him. Do you have room in your heart for this gentle giant? Please consider opening your home to this loving boy. He needs a family. Read his bio here.

Goofy boy Marvin went for his cherry eye and neuter surgery this weekend. He did well and is recovering in foster care. If you're looking for a playful, goofy, active Newf, Marvin's your boy! His bio can be read here.

Sweet girl Beatrice is doing great in her foster home and is ready to find a loving family. This awesome girl is gentle, well mannered, gets along with everyone and is ready to find a perfect home. She is a dream Newf, sweet as can be! Read about her here.

Handsome boy Inti is doing awesome in foster care. This boy is a wonderful dog and will make an excellent companion for a loving family in search of a friendly, calm Newf to hang out with. Don't miss out on a chance to make this senior part of your family! Read all about him here.

River is ready to find a home! Her follow-up x-rays look good and her treatments are now complete. She still has some weeks of rehab ahead of her, but the exercises can be done in her adoptive home. Applications are now being considered. Read about River here.

Cutie pie Paris was adopted by a great family. Way to go!

If you or someone you know is looking for a new canine family member that isn't a Newf, be sure to visit HART, our parent all breed rescue group's PetFinder listings. They've got wonderful dogs of all shapes and sizes, coats and ages who are waiting for great families to adopt them.
HART is also in need of foster homes across Ontario! HART rescues a large number of dogs and the need is great for foster families -- they can only save the lives of those dogs they have a foster space for, and their foster homes fill up quickly. If fostering Newfs isn't for you, then consider fostering for HART's all breed program where many smaller dogs are in need of loving foster homes. You can download the application here.

Hotel space for NewfStock 2012 is filling up quickly! Check out our NewfStock Blog for accommodation details and get your room booked right away!

Adopter Update: Grace

2012-01-12T16:00:00.002-05:00

Another great adopter update received today! Here's what Grace had to say about her new home.......

Grace here!! Well, there is so much to tell that I hardly know where to start. I will include some Christmas pictures at the end, it was a wonderful day and there was a taste of turkey at the end! I am still settling in and am learning something new everyday it seems. One big thing that I have learned is that it is NOT a good idea to take the pie off the counter while it is cooling. HOT! HOT! HOT! And it doesn’t really make anyone else happy either. I am learning to play with my new toys that Santa brought me and not steal India’s when she has picked one out of the basket. I love to take walks and play outside and they tease me as I am not really sure that I love the snow that we’ve had here. Not much yet this winter, but everyone tells me there is sure to be more. I will have Mom help me write more in a couple of months!

Love and kisses, Grace

The 1st picture is Grace and her new Bobo

The 2nd picture is Grace and the remnants of the paper...Weeeeee!

The 3rd picture is Grace at the end of the day and wow is she tired...

Zoe's transport - the story of a foster's journey home

2012-01-11T23:34:00.000-05:00

Each night, Zoe had a job to do.

Her foster family included two young boys, and although she lived with them only three weeks, the 160 pound Newfoundland dog took her role in the household seriously.

"She would wander into my boys' room and look them over as if to say goodnight," said foster mom, Sarah. "And as soon as she got up, she would run in to check on them."

Zoe was rescued in northern Ontario after a volunteer with Newf Friends Newfoundland Dog Rescue heard about her situation. But, despite the efforts of some volunteers, several months passed before Zoe was surrendered.

"We were aware there was a Newf in need and had extended the offer to help, but the family didn't follow up," said Sandra, founder of Newf Friends.

Eventually she was surrendered. When that happened, Sandra looked to her volunteers to help transport Zoe to southern Ontario.

"Doing transports is extremely time consuming, trying to sort out who's going to meet the dog, finding volunteers who are all available on the same day," she said. "If someone's late it may throw the transport off. It's one of the more challenging aspects of the process."

Zoe's journey was certainly a challenge. It took five people more than 12 hours to transport Zoe to her final foster home.

When she embarked on her journey, Zoe was shy, suffered skin issues and had an ear infection. But it wasn't difficult to see, despite the hardship she'd faced and her haggard appearance, Zoe was a gentle soul.

After half a day on the road with different Newf Friends volunteers, Zoe arrived in southern Ontario and met Sarah for the first time.

"My first impression was she was pretty reserved, but still as sweet as they come," said Sarah, who works at an animal shelter and regularly fosters dogs and cats.

Socialization began right away. First stop? An elementary school.

"After we dropped the boys off at school, she was fine. She just leaned on us and watched through the fence," she said. "You could tell she was a little out of her comfort zone but nothing negative."

Next up, a visit to some local pet stores. Zoe couldn't walk in the door at first - she was petrified of a bird squawking inside. So they stood outside and absorbed the environment.

But the big test was Halloween.

"She was the most well-behaved dog you'd ever meet in your life," said Sarah, who has three cats and two dogs of her own. "Once we did the trick-or-treating she soared."

Through three weeks of fostering, Sarah took Zoe everywhere with her. And when it was finally time to say goodbye, the timid Newfoundland had gained confidence and healed.

"I took her to the pet stores a couple weeks later and she walked right in the door. It shows we just needed to show her the world," she said.

While letting go of Zoe was particularly difficult, Sarah said she has to think about why she fosters.

"I always remind myself it's not about me. It's about the animals," she said. "I'd rather feel sad and help, than not do anything."

Zoe joined her forever family from Quebec in late November.

Adopter Update: Charlie

2012-01-11T07:36:00.001-05:00

Thank you,thank you,thank you for our sweet Charlie!

It's hard to believe a full year has gone by, since Charlie came to our home.As I write this email,Charlie is fast asleep beside me on the sofa while the fireplace warms the room. A typical night other than Sophie (our golden) is usually cuddled up as well. She's decided to call it a night and is currently sleeping on our bed. They had a good run today when we took them for a hike with their buddy Bear,our friends' Bernese Mountain Dog.

Charlie has been such a great dog! He has been easy to train and knows all his basic commands. The hardest one was "down" as he kept trying to give me his paw (newf joke I suspect).He finally understood the hand signal after some work,which wasn't long, as Charlie is veryyyyyy food motivated. Friends by the dozen he has made this year, four and two footed,because of his gentle personality. Even my parents joked at Christmas that if we just happened to leave him behind at their place, we could visit him often.

He LOVES being touched,brushed,stroked! The first time he went to the groomer, he didn't even wait for the table to be lowered, he just hopped up waiting patiently to be brushed.The groomer said she had never seen anything like it.

His first Christmas was special. He was able to meet some of our extended family for the first time. They loved him! Christmas dinner was a fabulous night with 19 people and 5 dogs,including Sophie and Charlie. He fit our dog crazy family like a glove and was showered with attention,which he lapped up.

The best thing is that Sophie and Charlie have become the best of friends. I spent many a summer nights this past year sitting on the deck watching them play together, which was so entertaining. Their nicknames are now frick and frack as they have become truly inseparable.

Charlie is our third dog, but our first rescue and as this has been such a positive experience for us, we have decided to adopt only rescues from now on.

Sheila,Stewart and Spencer

Update: January 10, 2012

2012-01-10T08:13:00.004-05:00

Happy Newf Year!

2012 is off to a very busy start at Newf Friends with 3 new arrivals coming in over the last couple of days putting us at 9 Newfs currently in our foster program. If you've been thinking about applying to become a foster family for Newfs in need, now is the time. We have foster homes across southern, eastern and central Ontario from Ottawa to Brantford and up into Sudbury. We provide food and supplies, cover veterinary care and expenses, you provide a safe, loving, indoor home for a Newf in need while we search for a new family for them. Fostering is incredibly rewarding, give it a try! Our Foster Home application can be downloaded here.

Here's some info about the Newfs currently in our foster program:

New girl Rosie is a sweet and gentle 2 year old girl who is looking for a great family to love her. Read her bio here.

Arriving with Rosie was her adorable pal Tyson who is also 2 years old and searching for a loving family to call his own. Read about Tyson here.

Love bug Thunder arrived yesterday and is simply adorable -- look at his gorgeous brown coat! Thunder's bio can be seen here.

Sweet boy Tycho has been waiting far too long for a home. This sensitive boy just needs someone to love him. Do you have room in your heart for this gentle giant? Please consider opening your home to this loving boy. He needs a family. Read his bio here.

Goofy boy Marvin is having a blast at his foster home. He is scheduled to be neutered and have cherry eye surgery on January 13th, then will move to foster care in Kingston. His bio can be read here.

Sweet girl Beatrice is doing great in her foster home. This lovable girl is gentle, well mannered, gets along with everyone and is ready to find a perfect home. She is a dream Newf, sweet as can be! Read about her here.

River continues to recover from her second TPLO surgery. She had a bit of a set back due to an infection but with continued supportive care she is recovering and will be ready to join an adoptive family soon . She is set to have follow-up x-rays on January 14th. We are now accepting applications for River's adoption. Read about River here.

Cutie pie Paris is doing terrific in her foster home and now has an adoption pending. Lucky girl! Read her bio here.

Lovable gal Barbie has been adopted and is now known as Chloe! Congratulations Chloe and family, we are so happy for you!

Hotel space for NewfStock 2012 is filling up quickly! Check out our NewfStock Blog for accommodation details and get your room booked right away!

Didn't get a 2012 calendar yet? No worries, we have some in stock and are ready to ship them asap! Order your Newf Friends 2012 calendar now and prepare to be dazzled -- it's full of gorgeous colour photos of beautiful Newfs! All of the photos were taken at NewfStock 2010!
These stunning calendars are printed on heavy, high gloss paper, and are over-sized with lots of room to write notes. Order yours today through our Online Store!

Thunder

2012-01-08T18:57:00.010-05:00

Thunder

# 3684

January 21, 2012: I've been adopted!

Hello everyone! I'm Thunder and I'm a cuddly big brown fella' who is ready to find a family all my own!

I was born March 12, 2010 and am a young, happy, friendly boy who likes to romp and play. I'm a wee bit overweight, but my foster folks are going to do something about that -- they say I'm on a diet and new exercise regimen. Oh boy!

I have good house manners, and I know some basic commands. There's a few things I can improve on, like I take my time responding to a come command, but overall I'm a very good boy!

I grew up in a home with 2 other male newfs and I like to wrestle and play. There was recently an incident between me and one of the older Newfs and as a result I have some injuries to my head which I am healing from. My head has been partially shaved and I have a funky haircut, but it'll grow back! I am on pain meds and antibiotics, but hopefully within 2 weeks I will be good as new.

My family decided that it would be best if I found a new home so they contacted the people at Newf Friends and I moved to my foster home on January 9.

Ouch! My head is swollen and sore.

I have always liked to play with other dogs and have been having fun at the dog park. I could join a family with another very well socialized dog, like a nice, gentle sister who likes to run and play as much as I do? That would be so much fun! I'd also be equally happy as the only dog in a family -- I'm pretty easy going!

I could live in a home with cats, if they don't mind me being curious and playful with them. I don't want to hurt cats, but I do like to check them out!

I have been neutered, had all my vaccines and am ready to join the right family.

If you think you'd like me to join your family, fill in one of the adoption applications and send it to the Newf Friends people and they will be in touch. I am being fostered in the Kingston, ON area and my approved family will be required to pick me up in person. An adoption donation of $500 applies.

Tyson

2012-01-08T16:11:00.008-05:00

Tyson
# 4101

January 30, 2012: I was adopted!!

Hi there, my name is Tyson and I'm a lovable 2 year old Newf who is looking for a great family.

I have good manners and I get along with pretty much everyone -- people, animals, you name it. I'm a great boy! I would be happy to join a family with another dog, or cats, or kids even.

My sister Rosie and I moved to Canada from England last year, then we ended up coming to Newf Friends after some very unfortunate circumstances led to our owner not being able to keep us. If a family wanted to adopt both of us together that would be awesome, but we know it might be hard to find a family ready to adopt two Newfs so if we have to find separate homes we will. Ideally those homes will have other dogs so we have playmates though.

I was born on October 30, 2009 and I am neutered and will have my vaccines brought up to date before my adoption. I'm a happy, healthy guy but I do have a sore elbow. I had surgery to correct elbow dysplasia a while ago, and then hurt my shoulder again goofing around. The Newf Friends people are going to have a specialist vet have a look at me to see if I need to have surgery done. If I need it, the Newf Friends people will do it!

If you think you'd like me to join your family, complete an adoption application and email it to the Newf Friends folks. I am currently in foster care in the Guelph ON area. My approved family will be required to pick me up in person. An adoption donation of $500 applies. (The Newf Friends people said if someone adopts me and Rosie together they would reduce our adoption donations.)

Rosie

2012-01-08T15:47:00.009-05:00

Rosie
# 3956

January 30, 2012: I was adopted!!

Hello everyone, I'm Rosie and I'm adorable! I'm a super friendly, super sweet gal who is ready to find an awesome family to spend my life with. Maybe yours?

I'm a happy girl who gets along with everyone both two and four footed. I like to goof around and play with other dogs and I love meeting new people. I'd be very happy joining a family with another dog for me to play with. I also like cats and kids! I'm so great!

My brother Tyson and I moved to Canada from England last year, then we ended up coming to Newf Friends after some very unfortunate circumstances led to our owner not being able to keep us. If a family wanted to adopt both of us together that would be awesome, but we know it might be hard to find a family ready to adopt two Newfs so if we have to find separate homes we will. Ideally those homes will have other dogs so we have playmates though.

I was born September 13, 2009 so I'm just a young gal who has lots of energy and loves to romp and play! I have been spayed and my vaccines will be updated before I join my new family.

If you think you'd like me to join your family, complete an adoption application and email it to the Newf Friends folks. I am currently in foster care in the Guelph ON area. My approved family will be required to pick me up in person. An adoption donation of $500 applies. (The Newf Friends people said if someone adopts me and Tyson together they would reduce our adoption donations.)

Marvin

2012-01-04T20:59:00.010-05:00

Marvin

#3951

Hellooooooooo everyone!! My name is Marvin and I'm a big happy boy in need of a super (and active!) family to sweep me off my big goofy feet and adopt me. Shouldn't be too hard, I'm pretty adorable.. if I do say so myself!

Oh yah, full of beans!

I was born on October 17, 2010 so I'm still a pup and full of beans! I love, love, love to run around outside like a crazy yahoo - zooming, leaping, cavorting and bouncing. Such fun! It's even better when the other dogs at my foster home (and there are a lot of them) join me and try to catch me while I race around. They can't... I'm waaaay too fast! Ok, maybe I'm just younger than them but still... I'm pretty fast and very agile. I would not be suited to a home with little dogs or senior dogs because I don't know my own size and I'm just a tad too exuberant for them. A perfect home for me would be with other big young dogs or I (and hate to even mention this) but I guess even no dogs .. sob!

I came from a very loving family that tried their very best for me but in the end I was too big and their space was too small. They contacted these Newf Rescue people and here I am. I was sad to leave them but I know they only wanted the best for me... and I'm told I'm going to find it - I can hardly wait!

My foster Mom told me that I need to work on my manners when I greet people. Huh? You mean jumping up in excitement, barking and ... ahem... humping isn't polite? Pffffft! She said that "no it wasn't" and she would begin to teach me how well mannered Newfs say hello. She seems like she knows what she's talking about so we'll see how it goes. I like to make people happy so I'll give it a try and I'm a quick study too so training me shouldn't be too tough.

Oh one other she said. I needed surgery on my eye, so the vet did that at the same time as she neutered me. Apparently I had what's called 'cherry eye'. Hmmm. I think I'd like to eat cherries but not sure I want them in my eye. Anyways, the Newf people got me all fixed up, and once my eye is healed I'm good to go!

Let's see.... what else can I tell you about myself. I love to go for walks, they are the best thing ever! I get quite excited when I see my leash come out.. yahoooo, yippeeeee! Once I'm out on my leash..., look out world, I pull and tug and circle in excitement. That's one more thing that foster Mom lady said she'd teach me to do - walk nicely on a leash. I'm beginning to think that's all she does, teach me things. Oh well, I'm more than happy to learn as long as the treats keep coming and walks keep happening.

I guess I should mention a bit about myself inside the house. I'm pretty calm once I've had my goodly amount of exercise (and I mean goodly with a capital G!). I love to lay around on dog beds, snooze with the other dogs and play with the odd toy. Sometimes when I'm super excited I like to grab things with my mouth. Let's see... today when someone came over I was soooooo happy, happy, happy to see them I wanted to show off a whole bunch of things. I grabbed a shoe, then a remote control, then a drool towel, then a toy. See I can learn, it just may take me a few tries. I'm still a puppy y'know!

Oh one more teeny thing to toot my own horn about. I'm pretty good with cats. I never met them before coming to my foster home but I've determined that I like them. Foster Mom lady is making sure I don't learn to chase them but this one little kitten... I swear he just teases me. He bats at my tail and romps away when I get too interested. Pretty sure we'll be best buds in no time.

Anywhoooo, bottom line. I'm a big goof. I can admit it. I need to learn a few things but heck who doesn't? I'd love to join a family that had another dog for me to play with and I'd also love to live with kids (my other family had them so I'm great with them). If you think you can provide me lots of exercise, lots of learning and endless belly rubs, just apply. I can't wait to meet my forever family!

I am currently being fostered in the Markham, Ontario area (wherever the hoot that is?). If you are approved to adopt me you'll have to drive yourself over there to pick me up. An adoption donation of $500 applies.

Update: 2011 Year in Review

2011-12-30T09:33:00.008-05:00

As the year comes to a close all of us at Newf Friends are thankful for the support of our friends and donors who made it possible for us to save 44 Newfs this year! 2011 was our busiest year since we started Newf Friends with a steady stream of Newfs coming through our foster program.

Many of the Newfs who came to us had serious health issues and required extensive veterinary care. With the assistance of a handful of amazing veterinarians and the incredible generosity and kindness of our supporters we were able to meet all of the health care needs of every Newf who came to us!

Thanks to the hard work of our volunteers, 38 Newfs joined fabulous forever homes this year, and we have adoptions pending for some others. But we still have lots of Newfs in need of loving homes.......

Sweet boy Ty has been waiting far too long for a home. This sensitive boy just needs someone to love him. Do you have room in your heart for this gentle giant? Please consider opening your home to this loving boy. He needs a family. Read his bio here.

New arrival Marvin entered our program on Dec 31st as the last intake of the year. He is a young fella who needs some exercise and basic training - as you can see, he's having a blast at his foster home! Details about him will be posted soon!

Sweet girl Beatrice is doing great in her foster home. This lovable girl is gentle, well mannered, gets along with everyone and is ready to find a perfect home. Maybe yours? Read about her here.

Cutie pie Paris is also doing terrific in her foster home. She is getting lots of opportunities to meet new people and dogs and is such a happy, friendly girl. She is going to be a wonderful companion for one lucky family. Read her bio here.

Handsome 9 1/2 year old sweetheart Inti is doing great in foster care. This boy is a wonderful dog and will make an excellent companion for a loving family in search of a friendly, calm Newf to hang out with. Read all about him here.

River continues to recover from her second TPLO surgery. She had a bit of a set back due to an infection but with continued supportive care she is recovering and will be ready to join an adoptive family in the new year . We are now accepting applications for River's adoption. Read about River here.

Lovable gal Barbie has an adoption pending! Read all about her here.

Love-bug Alex has been adopted by a wonderful family! Way to go Alex! 2012 is going to be a very happy year for you!

Gloria is also going to have a very happy new year, she too has been adopted and is enjoying life with her amazing new family!

If you or someone you know is looking for a new canine family member that isn't a Newf, be sure to visit HART, our parent all breed rescue group's PetFinder listings. They've got wonderful dogs of all shapes and sizes, coats and ages who are waiting for great families to adopt them.

Adopter Update: Merlin

2011-12-29T09:15:00.004-05:00

Merlin has had a very busy 10 days over Christmas but he has adjusted very well and is completely settled into his new home. He has met new family members and new family dogs and he is such a sweetheart and loves everyone. He gets along very well with his new sister and loves his belly rubbed and is a real kisser.

When Merlin first arrived he tired very easily and now that he has had regular exercise, he is romping and bouncing around the backyard with his sister without tiring. He loves his walks and is on a strict diet to help him drop a few pounds. He loves his toys and always picks up a toy to show visitors. He especially enjoys playing rope with his sister.

Merlin has been to the groomer and his coat is now clean, soft and shiny and they said he was a pleasure to have and was no trouble. He is going to the vet this week for a check up but his health seems really good.

Merlin sleeps in our room and has three dog beds to choose from and he sleeps on a different one every night. His sister waits for him to choose his bed and then she will choose another one. When it is bedtime you just say bedtime and up he goes. He is the most gentle well mannered dog. Everyone who meets him loves him and cannot believe his gentle temperment.

Merlin is a wonderful dog and we are very happy to have him as part of our family. I have attached some photos of Merlin over the last week. More updates to come in the future.

Adopter Update: Bear

2011-12-29T09:09:00.002-05:00

Bear had the best Christmas ever. He was super excited to finally have some snow. He is like a pup in the snow. He runs around and sniffs everything and follows scents in the snow. He also loves to take bites of snow as he walks.

He got some treats for Christmas and is seen in the pictures enjoying one of the longest lasting cookies ever. It lasted about 5 minutes of chewing.

As we are approaching Bear's first Gotcha day we are so very thankful for all the love he has brought into our lives.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Ray, Darcy, Kieffer and Bear.

A Merry Christmas for our fosters!

2011-12-18T18:24:00.004-05:00

Erica from Ferghus & Co. has done it again! Thank you Erica for coordinating two special Christmas projects this year!

Erica and Global Foods in Kanata have once again teamed up for the Santa Paws Bags for a Cause gift bag drive! Thanks to Erica and Global Foods, our fosters will have special gifts under the tree just for them!

We'd also like to extend a big THANK YOU to Pet Valu in Kanata on Hazeldean Rd. They have allowed Erica to set up an Angel Tree for fosters from Newf Friends, HART and Willow Afghan Hound Rescue.

It's going to be a very Merry Christmas thanks to so many generous donors!

Update: December 18, 2011

2011-12-18T17:48:00.009-05:00

We've been busy as ever at Newf Friends with lots of new arrivals. Our foster homes are bursting at the seams and we've got a lot of homeless Newfs this Christmas all waiting for the right families to come along and give them the love they deserve.

With the holiday season upon us our volunteers are busy with holiday commitments and will be taking a little break over Christmas. We will still be checking emails daily and are available in an emergency to intake any Newfs in need over the holidays, but non-emergency emails and phone calls will be returned after the holidays and no further adoptive homes will be screened before Christmas.

We'd like to extend a big THANK YOU to Pet Valu in Kanata on Hazeldean Rd. They have allowed us to set up an Angel Tree for fosters from Newf Friends, HART and Willow Afghan Hound Rescue. It is going to be a very Merry Christmas thanks to so many generous donors! See more pictures here!

Thank you to Erica from Ferghus & Co. for setting up this great Christmas project.

Also a huge thank you goes out to Erica and to Global Foods in Kanata for once again coordinating the Santa Paws Bags for a Cause gift bag drive. Thanks to Erica and Global Foods, our fosters will have special gifts under the tree just for them!

Sweet girl Beatrice arrived in our care last week. After living her life in a puppymill, this love bug is ready to have a new start. Read about her here.

Arriving with Beatrice was Paris, one of Beatrice's pups. She's 15 weeks old and cute as a button. Read her bio here.

Also arriving this past week is Barbie, another one of Bea's puppies. Read all about her here.

Handsome 9 1/2 year old sweetheart Inti is doing great in foster care. He has been groomed, vetted and is feeling so much better! What a sweet boy he is! Read all about him here.

Another totally sweet boy is adorable Ty. this love bug is still waiting for a foster or adoptive home. This sensitive boy just needs someone to love him. Do you have room in your heart for this gentle giant? Please consider opening your home to this loving boy. Read his bio here. All Ty wants for Christmas is a home.

River continues to make great progress recovering from her second TPLO surgery. Her recovery is coming along very well, she is no longer painful, and she is nearly ready to join an adoptive family. We are now accepting applications for River's adoption. Read about River here.

Love-bug Alex is also still searching for a home. We did a home visit for a potential family for him, but it just wasn't quite the right place for this sweet fella. Alex is so ready to find himself a loving family. Maybe you have room in your family for this sweetheart? Learn more about Alex here.

Merlin has been adopted! Way to go sweet boy!

Hotel space for NewfStock 2012 is filling up quickly! Check out our NewfStock Blog for accommodation details and get your room booked asap!

Do you have your 2012 calendar yet? There's still time to get it before the new year!! Order your Newf Friends 2012 calendar now and prepare to be dazzled -- it's full of gorgeous colour photos of beautiful Newfs! These stunning calendars are printed on heavy, high gloss paper, and are over-sized with lots of room to write notes. Order yours today through our Online Store!

From all of us at Newf Friends, thank you to our supporters, donors and friends for helping us make a difference in the lives of so many Newfs. Happy holidays!

Beatrice

2011-12-18T17:25:00.008-05:00

Beatrice
#3681

January 26, 2012: Beatrice was adopted! Yay!

Hi everyone, my name is Beatrice and I am looking for a home. I am a sweet, gentle, affectionate girl who has not had a very good life up until now. I'm about 5 years old or so and I spent my life in a puppymill having litter after litter. I am finally free of that horrible life and safely in the care of Newf Friends.

I'm friendly and I get along with everyone -- dogs, cats, kids, adults....you name it, I like it! What a good girl I am! I'd be very happy to join a family with another dog I can play with, or equally happy to be the only dog and center of attention....after all, I do deserve lots of loving after all I have been through.

I have been vaccinated, spayed and am currently being treated for a bladder infection and am feeling so much better now! I am ready to find a special family to love me and give me the life I deserve!

I am very smart -- look at me learning how to sit!

If you think you'd like to give me a great home, please send the Newf Friends folks an adoption application and they will be in touch after the holidays. I am being fostered in the Brantford, ON area and my adoptive family will be required to pick me up in person. An adoption donation of $500 applies.

Barbie

2011-12-18T17:20:00.006-05:00

Barbie
# 3680
Barbie has been adopted!

Hey everyone! My name is Barbie and I'm 15 weeks old and too cute for words. Thanks to all of the awesome kids at Curiosity Children's center for naming me!

My Mom lived her life in a puppymill and was rescued not too long ago. My sister and I have been living in the care of the HS, but are now having a ball in foster care with Newf Friends. YAY! I'm full of beans, and a lovely little girl who has been fully vetted and am ready to start an awesome new life.

I am being fostered in the Port Perry, ON area, and my adoptive family will be required to pick me up in person. If you would like to be considered for adopting me please email an adoption application to the Newf Friends folks. They will be in touch after the holidays.

An adoption donation of $500 applies.

Paris

2011-12-18T17:05:00.010-05:00

Paris
#3679

January 14, 2012: Paris was adopted!

Yep, I'm adorable.

My name is Paris and I'm 15 weeks old and too cute for words. My Mom lived her life in a puppymill and was rescued not too long ago. My sister and I have been living in the care of the HS, but are now having a ball in foster care with Newf Friends. YAY! I'm full of beans, and a lovely little girl who has been fully vetted and am ready to start an awesome new life.

I am being fostered in the Brantford, ON area, and my adoptive family will be required to pick me up in person. If you would like to be considered for adopting me please email an adoption application to the Newf Friends folks. They will be in touch after the holidays.

An adoption donation of $500 applies.

Adopter Update: Zoe (formerly Katie)

2011-12-16T15:48:00.001-05:00

Hi Sandra,

Zoe (was Katie) is doing absolutely great! We've taken her everywhere we go: We started slow here in the Wakefield village and worked up to a busy shopping mall in Ottawa. After a few minutes of adjustment, she handled it all like a trooper.

Needless to say, she is a huge hit with everybody she meets and we get all kinds of people stopping us on the street and even jumping out of their cars to say hi to Zoe. She was somewhat shy with new people at first but she's shedding that quickly as time goes by.

Zoe is not at all shy with dogs though. Here's a link to a video of Zoe playing with Ruby, Praline and Bella at a nearby nature reserve. The video begins after they had been playing for some time so the level had progressed to 'spirited' (but there was never a hint of trouble).

https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=1f1c29665232e61d&resid=1F1C29665232E61D!314&parid=1F1C29665232E61D!313&authkey=!AKbQXvFhz5On1zw

Attached is our holiday card for this year. As you can see, Zoe figures prominently in our family. The very best to you and your entire extended Newf family. And thanks for being there for Zoe.

...Carolyn and Tom

Adopter Update: Grace

2011-12-14T10:13:00.001-05:00

Sandra,

I just wanted to send you a quick note and some pictures of Grace. We have had a wealth of great help and she is beginning to settle in here. I have enclosed a couple of pictures of her, and a picture of her and India. The first is of Grace watching India outside. She didn’t want to go out, but kept a watch on India as she wandered around the yard. The second one is the girls picture next to the Christmas tree. Getting them to pose was really pretty funny. The third is Grace’s version of “sit” if there is a piece of furniture handy when the command is given. It is more like “perch”, but to her it seems to make perfect sense. I will keep in touch as we continue to grow together.

Susan

Adopter Update: Finnegan

2011-12-12T17:07:00.002-05:00

Hi Sandra:

Thank you for Finnegan. What can I say about Finn. There is never a dull moment. He starts his morning by putting his big head on John's pillow. A quick run outside to let all living creatures know that this is his domain. Running back in the house to position himself for breakfast. It becomes tricky as we may slide across the floor on the drool. He sits beside me while we have breakfast and watches my every move until I am ready to go out for our walk. Shannon, our Berner and Finn begin their morning dance. Then off to the beach. Shannon cheers Finn on as he swims for sticks. Back home for his favourite thing of the day - being towel dried. Then he sleeps beside Shannon at my feet while I answer my mail.

He loves people and has a strong desire to please. Shannon is such a brave sweet soul who loves adventure. She helps Finn with his fear of skate boards and motorcycles by showing no concern. We have travelled to the east coast three times since Finn has become a part of our family. He loves the ocean and greeting tourists. Finnegan and Shannon are wonderful ambassadors of their breed and rescue and we are thrilled to share our lives with them.

Have a wonderful holiday.

Colleen

Update: December 5, 2011

2011-12-05T11:02:00.005-05:00

Here's what's been going on at Newf Friends this past week:

9 1/2 year old sweetheart Inti arrived yesterday. What a sweet boy he is! Read all about him here.

Speaking of sweet boys, adorable fella' Ty is still waiting for a foster or adoptive home. This sensitive boy just needs someone to love him. Do you have room in your heart for this gentle giant? Please consider opening your home to this loving boy. Read his bio here.

Merlin is doing great in foster care. we have a home visit lined up for a potential home for this love-bug. Read all about this adorable 2 1/2 year old boy here.

Gloria is also doing really well in foster care. She has been thoroughly vet checked and an action plan is in place to get her into shape and feeling good! Gloria is ready to join a new family in time for the holidays. This friendly love-bug is a fabulous girl and going to make one lucky family very happy! Check out her bio here.

Love-bug Alex is still searching for a home. We did a home visit for a potential family for him, but it just wasn't quite the right place for this sweet fella. Alex is so ready to find himself a loving family. Maybe you have room in your family for this sweetheart? Learn more about Alex here.

Order your Newf Friends 2012 calendar now and prepare to be dazzled -- it's full of gorgeous colour photos of beautiful Newfs! These stunning calendars are printed on heavy, high gloss paper, and are over-sized with lots of room to write notes. Order yours today through our Online Store!

Hotel space for NewfStock 2012 is filling up quickly! Check out our NewfStock Blog for accommodation details and get your room booked asap!

Winterizing Your Newf

2011-12-05T08:18:00.002-05:00

Winter is nearly here and, as you know our Newfs are first cousins to the
Polar Bear. However there are still some things you can do to ensure that
it is a safe and happy time for your Newfoundland.

ANTIFREEZE - This is the biggest danger to our Newfs (and other pets and
small children). The slightest amount ingested will cause the kidneys to
fail and an agonizing death will result in two to three days. Most commonly
Newfs get this from spilled windshield washer fluid which tends to be used
in abundance in winter time. Should you discover antifreeze ingestion in
the first two hours, you should rush your Newf to the vet as there is a
chance with IV fluids to save his/her life. After the first couple of hours
there is nothing that can be done to save them.

SWIMMING/ICE - Newfs are unique among dogs in that they are the only breed
that can swim throughout the winter. However in broken ice conditions they
could get stranded so it is a wise precaution to avoid such situations.

NAILS - The rear nails should not be trimmed in the winter months so that
the Newf will have traction and avoid rear leg injuries such a torn crucia
ligament. If you have a groomer do the nails, make sure they know your
wishes.

BOTTOM OF FEET - In some wet snow conditions your Newf may collect ice balls
between the toes. You can minimize this problem by trimming the hair on the
underside of the foot with a straight barber's shears. The hair should be
cut flush; don't clip between the toes as this fur is needed for warmth.

EARS - The fur on the outside of the ears should be left long and only
trimmed on the edges for neatness of appearance. Clipping the hair too
short on the outer ear could result in frostbite.

SIDEWALK GRIT - If your Newf starts licking off the grit on his feet picked
up from sidewalks and roadways, usually a sand mixed with salt or other
chemicals, then you should clean his feet to prevent ingestion.

If anyone else has any winter tips, please feel free to share them.

Newfondly,

Peter Maniate
Hannibal Kennels

Inti

2011-12-05T08:02:00.027-05:00

Inti
# 3947

February 1, 2012: Inti has an approved home & will be joining his new family in a few weeks!!

Handsome boy Inti arrived on December 4, 2011. This sweet senior is gentle, friendly and lovable - a personality of gold! Inti gets along with everyone and is a fabulous boy -- the perfect Newf for a family looking for a mellow, easy going companion.

He is 9 1/2 years old, born April 3, 2002 and has been with the same loving family his entire life. A very sad situation, his owner's health had deteriorated in the last several months and they were moved into a long term care facility recently, leaving Inti in need of a new home.

His owner's health was such that Inti's needs were not being met and his coat was in very poor condition. He headed to the groomer right away as he needed to be shaved due to extreme matting. Here are photos of him on intake -- scroll down for his after shots and video!

Inti, condition on intake, December 5, 2011

Inti was groomed and was a complete doll during the entire process; giving his groomer kisses and happy tail wags. He needed 3 baths to get all the dirt out and was a gem for everything she did. A huge thank you goes to Amanda MacMillan, owner of Pet Grooming by Amanda in Fergus Ontario, for fitting him in and giving us a great rescue discount. Inti sure showed his appreciation with lots of slobbery kisses!

Now that he's all cleaned up and on pain medication Inti is doing fabulous. He saw the vet and she said besides his backend not always knowing what its doing, he's a in good shape for a senior. He needs to be on daily pain medication but other than that he's great. He certainly doesn't let his backend slow him down and he enjoys life to the fullest, not seeming to realize that he can't run as fast and play as hard as the other dogs at his foster home. He greatly enjoys toodling around outside, exploring and even going for walks in the woods. He does get tired after about 15 minutes but hey, he's a senior... he's gotta take it easy!

Inti gets along with everyone he meets and is gentle, kind and extremely affectionate. His version of heaven involves a face to lick and someone patting his big, gorgeous head. If a face even remotely comes near him, his tongue starts flapping in the air trying to reach it to give big Newfie kisses. It is so incredibly endearing! If he feels you're not giving him enough attention or there are enough people around that SOMEONE should be petting him... well he starts softly woofing, while staring at the nearest person. This boy knows what he wants and is not shy about letting you know! He is a total lovebug!

Besides being fantastic with people, Inti is wonderful with all the other dogs and cats at his foster home. He has no problem letting the younger dogs cavort, play and rough house while he watches from his comfy dog bed. He LOVES the puppy at his foster home and will let him (or any other dog) snuggle up close and nap in the crook of his belly. When he's outside with the puppy, he follows it everywhere and tries to play. Unbelievably cute! Sometimes he tries to join in with the younger dogs while play, he gives it a good try and enjoys being involved. Can't blame him for trying... he just doesn't realize (or care!) that his body isn't what it used to be.

About the only Inti thing needs work on is his love for people food. He has no concept that when you're eating, it's your food and not to be shared with him. He begins his people food campaign by hanging out in the kitchen during preparation, always seeming to lay right in front of wherever you're working. When dinner's ready he makes himself comfortable right beside your chair and stares.. and stares... and woofs... and stares... and woofs some more. We can't really blame him too much since he existed on a pure people food diet at his previous home; it's what he knows. Well whoever said you can't teach an old dog new tricks is wrong. His foster parents have noticed a significant decrease in this behaviour as he realizes he's not getting any of their food. They ignore him and tell him to move on. Its working and he will happily eat his own kibble at all his meals but he' still always hopeful for a morsel or two from your plate (but really... what dog isn't??).

Inti would be a wonderful dog for a family looking for a big, gentle boy who loves to receive attention and gives it back in spades. He needs a home with non-slip floors and no stairs at all. His foster family built him a ramp so he wouldn't have to negotiate the two porch steps. He loves it and goes up and down happily.

The usual adoption donation of $500 has been waived for Inti because of his age and the fact that he will need ongoing pain medication -- instead we ask for a donation of your choice. We just want a kind, caring family to look past his age and see that he is a fabulous boy that needs a family to cherish him in his golden years.

Inti is being fostered in the Guelph Ontario area.

Holiday Greetings from Bear!

2011-12-04T15:28:00.002-05:00

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year.

Best Wishes

Ray, Darcy, Kieffer & Bear.

$2 Orijen/Acana fundraiser!

2011-12-02T12:44:00.003-05:00

Want to improve your dog's health and support rescue all with just $2? Come out to West Wind in the month of December and you can do just that!

West Wind Gallery & Gifts, Newf Friends and Champion Pet Foods are teaming up to help save lives!

For the month of December you are invited to come out to West Wind in Bancroft, Ontario and pick up a trial size package of Orijen or Acana dog food for $2, and 100% of the money raised will be donated to Newf Friends! Orijen and Acana dog and cat foods offer GRAIN FREE, biologically appropriate kibble, that is made IN CANADA of entirely CANADIAN INGREDIENTS. It's what we feed every rescue that comes through our program. Pick up some samples today and let your dog have a taste!

Stop by West Wind to do some holiday shopping and support rescue all in one stop. Be sure to talk to Sandra and Jim about how you can get involved with Newf Friends and make a difference for animals in need!

Update: November 28, 2011

2011-11-28T14:46:00.006-05:00

Here's what's been going on at Newf Friends this past week:

Sweet boy Ty is still waiting for a foster or adoptive home. This sensitive boy just needs someone to love him. Do you have room in your heart for this gentle giant? Read his bio here.

New arrival Merlin is proving himself to be a fantastic boy with great manners, a friendly disposition and lots of love to give. Read all about this adorable 2 1/2 year old boy here.

Thanks to the efforts of our fabulous team of volunteers, Gloria has been safely moved from Sault Ste Marie to her foster home in Bancroft. This friendly love-bug is a fabulous girl and going to make one lucky family very happy! Check out her bio here.

River continues to make great progress recovering from her second TPLO surgery. With stability in her knee River is raring to go. We are now accepting applications for River's adoption. Read about River here.
Look at this beautiful painting a Newf Friends supporter did of River! Isn't it lovely!

Love-bug Alex has a home visit being scheduled for a potential home. Fingers crossed that this will be a great match! Learn more about Alex here.

Gorgeous gal Katie (now Zoe) was adopted and is doing great in her new home! Congratulations sweetheart!

Do you have your 2012 calendar yet? There's still time! With the holiday season fast approaching, it's time to visit our online store to stock up on awesome gifts for all of the Newf lovers on your shopping list. We are starting to run low on styles and sizes of tees so don't delay!

Order your Newf Friends 2012 calendar now and prepare to be dazzled -- it's full of gorgeous colour photos of beautiful Newfs! These stunning calendars are printed on heavy, high gloss paper, and are over-sized with lots of room to write notes. Order yours today through our Online Store!

Merlin

2011-11-26T17:55:00.010-05:00

Merlin

#3678
Merlin has been adopted!

Hi everybody! I'm Merlin and I am an adorable, kissable, lovable Landseer who just arrived in foster care. I'm about 2 1/2 years old, sweet as can be, and looking for love.

More details about my personality and training needs will be posted as my foster family gets to know me better, but so far I'm just a big love-bug. I know basic commands, and have good house manners....oh, and I'm adorable in case you didn't notice!

I am neutered, UTD on vaccines, and at 151 lbs I am a bit overweight! Time to get my paws moving and get into shape! I'm a happy, healthy boy and just want to have fun!

My family surrendered me to Newf Friends when changes in our household resulted in me and my brother (a Saint Bernard) not getting along well. Don't worry, I like other dogs a lot and have been well socialized, I love to go on doggie play dates and would be happy to join a family with another dog who is also well socialized. Here I am at the dog park having fun with a bunch of dogs....

If you would like to be considered for adopting me, please complete our adoption application to start the process. I am being fostered in the Kingston, ON area and my adoptive family will be required to pick me up in person. My adoption donation is $500.

Adopter update: Higgins

2011-11-25T15:51:00.004-05:00

Here's an update from Higgins' new family complete with lots of photos! Enjoy:

Well we have had Higgins for just over three months and we are amazed at how quickly he assimilated into our home.

He is very smart and he picks things up very quickly, but he did catch us with our guard down when we left food out on the counter. First lesson he taught us was don't leave food out on the counter!

Higgins and Briar - His new sister

Our Grandson, Justin meets Higgins:
We had our eighteen month old grandson over the Thanksgiving weekend from Michigan and we were just so amazed at just how well the two of them got along. We now skype with our grandson and he keeps calling Higgins to the screen, but we have not taught Higgins how to skype yet! so it is a kind of one sided conversation!

This has to be the shot of the year!!!

Justin loves Higgins.
Higgins looking for a late night snack!

Higgins and Briar surrounding Justin and watching out the front window.

Everybody wants to be with Justin and note how the Great Dane seats herself on the chesterfield!

A picture is worth a thousand words.....

2011-11-21T15:49:00.002-05:00

Yogi, in his new home

Good day Sandra, all is well here, the van ride home was fine, he slept most of the way. We have visited some neighbors, taken more van rides, gone to have a bath, visited with 2 female border collies, gone on 2 short walks, had visitors here at home, been alone in the house.

Over all he has been terrific, we have not heard one bark from him even when he outside on the porch people and car watching, night time has been no trouble either.

I figured a picture is worth a thousand words so here is one I took after reading your email, I think it pretty well sums up his settling in. We have something new planned for every day this week, including more time alone everyday and a visit to the kennel we use and on Thursday a visit to Mary Ann, his Vet.

Thank you again for all you did to make this happen for us.

Diane and Bill

Update: November 21, 2011

2011-11-21T11:12:00.005-05:00

Here's the latest news from Newf Friends:

Big News! Big News! It's official, NewfStock 2012 is a go! Newf Friends volunteers gathered on the weekend to do the preliminary work for THE NEWF EVENT of the YEAR!
Details will be posted as we sort them out, but clear your schedules for the weekend of September 15, 2012 and plan to attend NewfStock in beautiful Bancroft, Ontario.

New arrival Gloria is an adorable 5 year old gal who is cute as a button! Check out her bio here. Gloria is in Sault Ste Marie at the moment, but we plan to move her to southern Ontario within the next week or so.

River is doing amazing recovering from her second TPLO surgery. With stability in her knee River has found her inner puppy and is raring to go. She's got a few more weeks of strict bed rest followed by some rehab ahead of her then will be ready to take on the world. We are now accepting applications for River's adoption. Read about River here.

Sweet boy Ty is waiting for a foster or adoptive home. This gentle, affectionate boy would love a family to call his own where he will get lots of hugs and kisses and all the love he deserves. Do you have room in your heart for this gentle giant? Read his bio here.

Love-bug Alex is a 3 year old sweetheart who needs a family! This gentle boy needs the comfort of a kind leader to help him reach his full potential. Maybe Alex is the Newf you've been waiting for? Learn more about him here.

3 year old Katie has an approved home and will be joining her new family tomorrow. Great news for Katie!

Grace joined her new family on Saturday! Congratulations Grace!

Lovable boy Yogi has been adopted! Congratulations Yogi!

Gloria

2011-11-21T10:06:00.022-05:00

Gloria
#3395

I've been adopted! Yay for me!

Ya, that's right, I'm adorable!

Hello everyone! Pucker up, I'm Gloria and I loooove giving kisses! I'm a sweet, happy, super affectionate girl who is looking for a family to call my own.

I was turned into a shelter in Sault Ste Marie as a "stray" so nobody is really too sure of my past, but my future is looking bright! I'm about 3-5 years old, spayed, and have been vaccinated. When I arrived at the pound I was in horrible condition, very filthy and as a result a groomer worked on me and removed a lot of my hair, so now I have a funky haircut, but that's ok, it'll grow back!

I weigh about 130 lbs, and the Newf Friends folks say I will benefit from dropping 20 of those pounds. They put me on a healthy diet and I am getting exercise and am on the road to good health. Once I get rid of my excess weight I am going to be feeling so much better!

I met Dr. Kim on November 29 and she looked me over from nose to tail. I had some bloodwork done and we'll get results later in the week. My T4 test showed my thyroid is low normal, so we are waiting on a full panel to see if I need some medication. Thyroid meds are cheap, so my foster mom told me not to worry about it if I need them!

Dr. Kim said I have a Grade 1 Heart Murmur, which isn't a big deal at all, so we're not worried about it. My chest x-rays show that my heart looks good. She also said I have luxating patellas (my knees move around) but my x-rays show that otherwise my knees are in really great shape. All the more reason for me to get rid of those extra pounds, to keep my knees happy! My elbows are good other than a minor little blip on one of them. I also have mild hip dysplasia in my left hip, but my right one is fine. No worries, I can run, play and leap around with the best of them! None of these things worried Dr. Kim too much and she says I don't need surgery or anything like that. Phew! I'm going to get some Cartrophen injections to help prevent problems, and will take supplements to keep me healthy.

Dr. Kim said my front right leg appears to have been injured before my growth plates closed, and as a result it grew kind of twisted. I get around just fine on it, so it's not a big deal! Here you can see my front right leg is a little wonky, but I can still run and play...oh, and look how great I am at flinging goober! Hooray!

It's going to be easy getting the extra weight off me because I loooooove going for walks, I get super excited and dance around! My foster family said I am a good girl off leash and I get to run with all of the other dogs in the woods on our hikes! Yay for me! Check me out, I'm so cute....

I am a friendly girl with a lovely temperament, just happy as can be! I traveled all the way from Sault Ste. Marie way over to eastern Ontario and I have stayed at different houses along the way and have enjoyed meeting everyone. What fun! I love people! I great everyone with enthusiasm!

I have met LOTS of dogs since I arrived in foster care too and I have liked every single one of them! I'm so great. I would be happy to join a family with other four footed friends. I'm also wonderful with cats!

I know commands, am a very good girl in the house, am friendly and easy going, love car rides and going for walks. My foster family says my leash manners leave a little something to be desired, whatever that means!

To be considered for adopting me, please fill out an adoption application and email it back to the Newf Friends people. The normal adoption donation of $500 has been reduced for me because I will likely require some ongoing supplementation and down the road pain management. I am being fostered in the Ottawa, ON area and my new family will be required to pick me up in person.

Update: November 14, 2011

2011-11-14T13:27:00.002-05:00

Here's the latest news from Newf Friends:

With the holiday season fast approaching, it's time to visit our online store to stock up on awesome gifts for all of the Newf lovers on your shopping list. Also, don't forget to order your Newf Friends 2012 calendar! These gorgeous calendars are printed on heavy, high gloss paper, and are over-sized with lots of room to write notes. Order yours today through our Online Store!

River is doing fantastic after having her second TPLO surgery on November 11th. She is moving around far better than before and although she still has several weeks of bed rest ahead of her, this big sweetheart is full of beans and ready to go! We are now accepting applications for River's adoption. Read about River here.

Sweet boy Ty is waiting for a foster or adoptive home. His health has improved dramatically and he will soon be neutered. Ty has so much love to give, he just needs someone to give it to! Maybe he's the Newf you've been waiting for? Read his bio here.

Love-bug Alex is a 3 year old sweetheart who needs a family! This gentle boy needs the comfort of a kind leader to help him reach his full potential. Do you have room in your heart for Alex? Learn more about him here.

Grace, a lovable 19 month old Landseer has an adoption pending. Congratulations Grace!

3 year old Katie also has an approved home and will be joining her new family soon. Great news for Katie!

Lovable boy Yogi also has a pending adoption! He will be joining his new family on the 19th! We're so happy for you Yogi!

Fun loving boy Duke has been adopted! Way to go Duke you big love-bug! Congratulations all around!

Lucky boy Jack has also been adopted! He landed himself an awesome home where he's sure to have lots of fun and loving! Congratulations!

If you or someone you know is looking for a new canine family member that isn't a Newf, be sure to visit HART, our parent all breed rescue group's PetFinder listings. They've got wonderful dogs of all shapes and sizes, coats and ages who are waiting for great families to adopt them.

Adopter Update: Sampson and Geordie

2011-11-12T15:45:00.003-05:00

Look who popped by for a visit!

From left to right...

Geordie the little pup who arrived in our care last spring (look how big he is now!), Sampson adopted from us 2 1/2 years ago, and their brother Ozzy.

The trio are all doing great and enjoying their fabulous life in cottage country. Geordie is now a year old and looking very handsome -- what a kissy face he is -- I got floogered on indeed! Handsome boy Sampson is more gorgeous every time he visits and is just a wonderful, sweet, gentle boy. And of course sweet boy Ozzy is the perfect brother to his two siblings, what a love-bug. They are one big happy, hairy family! We always love their visits.

River's second surgery

2011-11-11T11:54:00.008-05:00

River is pictured here with the team from Apsley Veterinary Services the morning after her second surgery. Dr. Facey (left) and her team have been instrumental in River's rehabilitation.

River had surgery performed on her left knee today and everything went very well. Dr. Facey stated that River's left knee was the worst she has ever seen in her nearly 20 years practicing veterinary medicine -- there was no ligament in place at all, and nothing holding the joint together. It is truly remarkable that River had been able to walk at all.

It is now hoped that with both knees repaired, once she heals and her knees become stable River will enjoy much greater mobility and lead a pain-free life! Working on River's left knee today, Dr. Faessen made some modifications to the procedure and is hopeful that with this change he will not need to perform a third surgery to repair the luxating patella. We will reassess in 2 months time once River is healed from this surgery, but we are all hoping for the very best outcome.

X-rays were taken of River's right knee to assess the progress and it is healing very well. Everything looks to be coming along perfectly. River's foster parents have done a phenomenal job of caring for River over the last 7 weeks as she has healed from her first surgery. Caring for a giant breed dog following TPLO surgery is very hard work, and even more difficult when that dog has two unusable knees. Thank you Erica and Andrew for all of your hard work and your dedication to helping River heal. Newf Friends is so fortunate to have such incredible, dedicated foster families like yours.

Thank you also to all of our supporters who helped us reach our fundraising goal so that we could save River. The support from Newf lovers around the globe has been incredible, thank you all! We couldn't have done it without you!

Updates and new photos of River will be posted soon.

Thank you once again to Dr. Kim Facey - Apsley Veterinary Services and Dr. Michael Faessen, Soft Tissue and Orthopaedic Small Animal Surgeon for your exceptional care, your generosity and your commitment to helping animals in need.

Dr. Facey has been instrumental in the care of many of the Newfs who have gone through our program and many of the dogs who have gone through our parent All Breed rescue group HART. Thank you Kim from all of the us!

Dr. Facey has enlisted the assistance of Dr. Faessen for some of the more challenging, delicate or specialized surgeries including surgery for Ella, Mackenzie, Jade and Geordie. Thank you Michael for your support and compassion towards the care of rescued dogs.

Without rescue minded vets like Kim and Michael, as well as our other key veterinarian Dr. Janice Selinger (Bridle Trail Veterinary Clinic) Newf Friends would not be able to make such a tremendous difference in the lives of so many Newfs. Your support is greatly appreciated and we are so fortunate to have you all as part of our team.

In Remembrance

2011-11-11T10:08:00.004-05:00

Read more about Gander the Newfoundland Dog War hero on the Dogs in Canada site.

From Wikipedia:

Gander was a Newfoundland dog posthumously awarded the Dickin Medal, the "animals' VC", in 2000 for his deeds in World War II,^[1] the first such award in over 50 years.^[2]

Military service

Gander, initially a family pet named Pal, accidentally scratched a child's face with his paw. Worried that he would be forced to have Pal put down, the original owner gave the large dog to the Royal Rifles, a regiment of the Canadian Army stationed at Gander International Airport, Newfoundland and Labrador. The soldiers quickly renamed him Gander and "promoted" him to sergeant. When the unit was shipped to Hong Kong in the fall of 1941, Gander went along.

The Battle of Hong Kong began on December 8, 1941, the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Gander helped fight the Japanese invaders on three occasions. The last time, Gander picked up a thrown Japanese hand grenade and rushed with it toward the enemy, dying in the ensuing explosion, but saving the lives of several wounded Canadian soldiers.^[3]

After efforts by the Canadian War Museum, the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals awarded Gander the Dickin Medal on October 27, 2000, the first such award since 1949. The citation reads:

For saving the lives of Canadian infantrymen during the Battle of Lye Mun on Hong Kong Island in December 1941. On three documented occasions, Gander, the Newfoundland mascot of the Royal Rifles of Canada, engaged the enemy as his regiment joined the Winnipeg Grenadiers, members of Battalion Headquarters "C" Force and other Commonwealth troops in their courageous defence of the island. Twice Gander's attacks halted the enemy's advance and protected groups of wounded soldiers. In a final act of bravery, the war dog was killed in action gathering a grenade. Without Gander's intervention, many more lives would have been lost in the assault.^[1]

At the insistence of survivors of the battle, his name was listed with those of 1975 men and two women on the Hong Kong Veterans Memorial Wall in Ottawa, Canada.^[3]

References

^ ^a ^b "PDSA Dickin Medal: 'the animals' VC'". People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. Retrieved August 15, 2009.^{[dead link]}
^ Judd, Terri (August 16, 2000). "'Animal VC' will honour Gander's dash for grenade". The Independent. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
^ ^a ^b Ward, Bruce (August 13, 2009). "Gander the Canadian war dog to be included in veterans' memorial". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved August 15, 2009.^{[dead link]}

Update: November 3, 2011

2011-11-03T11:18:00.007-04:00

We've been busy as ever at Newf Friends these last few weeks. Here's our update:

Grace, a lovable 19 month old Landseer arrived in our care on Tuesday. She is too cute for words! You can read all about her here.

Also new to our program is gorgeous 3 year old Katie. This stunning gentle giant is looking for a great family. You can see her bio here.

Fun loving boy Duke is hoping to find a loving family soon! He's such a great boy, he deserves a home of his own! Check out his bio here.

Sweet boy Ty is waiting for a foster or adoptive home. His health has improved dramatically and he will soon be neutered. Ty has so much love to give, he just needs someone to give it to! Maybe he's the Newf you've been waiting for? Read his bio here.

Love-bug Alex is a 3 year old sweetheart who needs a family! This gentle boy needs the comfort of a kind leader to help him reach his full potential. Do you have room in your heart for Alex? Learn more about him here.

River continues to do well in foster care and we are preparing for her second TPLO surgery on November 11th. She still has a very long road ahead of her before she will be ready for adoption, but her future looks bright thanks to the generous support of Newf loving donors who helped us raise funds for this special girl. Read about River here.

Lucky boy Jack has an adoption pending! Fingers crossed that the meet and greet with his new four-footed pals goes well!

Lovable boy Yogi also has a pending adoption! He will be having a meet and greet and we are all hopeful that it will go well and he will finally have a family to call his own.
If you or someone you know is looking for a new canine family member that isn't a Newf, be sure to visit HART, our parent all breed rescue group's PetFinder listings. They've got wonderful dogs of all shapes and sizes, coats and ages who are waiting for great families to adopt them.

With the holiday season fast approaching, it's time to visit our online store to stock up on awesome gifts for all of the Newf lovers on your shopping list. Also,don't forget to order your Newf Friends 2012 calendar! There gorgeous calendars are printed on heavy, high gloss paper, and are over-sized with lots of room to write notes. Order yours today through our Online Store!

Grace

2011-11-03T10:00:00.006-04:00

Grace

#3654

Grace has been adopted!

Say hello to Grace, a gorgeous landseer who is looking for a fantastic family to call her own. This pretty gal is super sweet, happy as can be, and a total love bug. She is ready to make a special family very happy!

Grace came to us when her owners were not able to provide the time and care she needed due to changes in their own health and life situation. They made the heartbreaking decision to surrender Grace so that she could have the life she deserves. Grace's wonderful personality shows that she was obviously well loved.

She is a typical gentle, happy, goofy pup who is full of love and personality. Playful and fun loving, she is a delight to be around. In the house she has wonderful manners and is well behaved, she walks well on leash, and knows basic commands.

She gets along with everyone she meets and would be happy joining a family with another dog to romp and play with. Here she is having a great time at a play group in foster care. She enjoys playtime with other dogs.

Grace was born April 9, 2010 so is still very young and has lots of learning to do. She is bright, follows direction well and with some basic work around manners she will blossom into a wonderful companion. She thinks she is a lap dog!

Grace is spayed and UTD on vaccines.

To be considered for adopting Grace please complete our adoption application. An adoption donation of $500 applies.

Grace is being fostered in the Kingston area, and her approved adoptive family will be required to pick her up in person.

Kayleigh does it again!

2011-10-27T16:07:00.001-04:00

Newf Friends supporter Kayleigh has come through for us once again raising funds to help Newfs in need. Her latest efforts brought in $120 in sales of her awesome doggie biscuits called Kayleigh's Kanine Kookies.

10 year old Kayleigh poses here with Murphy at the Pumpkin Hunt where she sold cookies to raise funds for Newf Friends

From all of us at Newf Friends, thank you once again Kayleigh for your support, all of your hard work and for being an inspiration to kids everywhere! You are one in a million!

Katie

2011-10-24T14:34:00.013-04:00

Katie

# 3662

Katie has been adopted!

New arrival Katie is a gorgeous 3 year old (DOB October 26, 2008) purebred Newf who is looking for a special family to love. She is the epitome of what a Newf should be, a big, beautiful gentle bear and an absolute delight to be around.

Through no fault of her own, Katie found her way to us when her owners could no longer meet her needs. She has adjusted very well to foster care and is just taking everything in stride.

This gentle giant is sweet as can be. She is loving, affectionate and an all around awesome girl! She has a true Newf personality, just perfect in every way! She has wonderful house manners and leash manners, knows basic commands, and is an easy going, lovable girl.

She gets along fine with cats and although a little shy around new dogs, once she is comfortable with them she will happily snuggle up and cuddle. She enjoys playing with other dogs and could happily join a family with another four footed playmate.

She is UTD on vaccines, spayed and is undergoing treatment for some minor skin issues. Proper diet and basic grooming will prevent a recurrence of these issues. She is now on thyroid meds and we expect any lingering skin issues will clear with this.

Katie is a big girl, her last check up she weighed in at 162 lbs. Like many newfs, she is a drooler, which just adds to her charm! Be sure to have your drool bibs ready!

To be considered for adopting Katie please complete an adoption application.
An adoption donation of $500 applies
Katie is being fostered in the Brantford area and her approved family will be required to pick her up in person.

Adopter Update: Busa (Harold) and Anna

2011-10-24T12:53:00.011-04:00

Harold January 13, 2011 - intake day

Remember Harold, the sad pup who came to us last winter with horrible skin infections? Well look at him now! Harold, now known as Busa lives with his sister Anna, also adopted from Newf Friends, and the two of them are doing great!

Here's what their family had to say about them:

Well life with Anna & Busa has been and still is fantastic and we would not change a thing. We are so glad that we adopted Busa when we did because as much as Busa LOVES playing with Anna (and her ears), Anna is glad that she has a play buddy, even though he now towers over her so much. I have tried to take pictures where you can see the difference in their size over such a short period of time. We thought that when we adopted Anna she was a big dog but Anna looks so small compared to Busa.

Busa has completed and graduated 2 levels of obedience and Anna has completed and graduated 3 levels of obedience. I think that maybe over the winter I may take Busa to do indoor agility becuase he really loved the tunnel and the running around when we got to try it during the classes. Anna loved the tunnel as well but I think that I will start with Busa and then Anna later.

Like Anna and her little soccer ball, Busa has a bunny that he carries around and brings over to us to play fetch. You tell him to "go get your bunny" and looks all over the place for it until he finds it.

This past summer Busa & Anna did a lot of swiming up north. Busa loves to retrieve the floating dummy and is like the energizer bunny, he kept on going and going and going and going. We actually had to tell him that it was time to get out of the water and go back to the cabin. You can see in one of the pictures that he jumped up on the picnic table to get the dummy to go back in the water to play. Anna also retrieves the dummy and tries to get it from Busa every once in awhile, but she prefers to just swim around and around and around the lake on her own. There are some pictures where she is just doing that.

Summer, as you can remember, was extremely hot and when I was at the cabin in July with the furry kids, it was so hot that I broke down and bought a fan for Busa and Anna. I have to tell you that both Busa and Anna learned fast what the fan did for them and what an air conditioned car was all about. Nothing but the best for my furry kids.

Ron and I wanted to get out to the events that were going on over the summer and in September but "life" always got in the way. I told Ron that the next event that happens we are going no matter what. I want to get the chance to bring out Busa & Anna to meet fellow Newfs.

The picture where you see Busa hanging inside the drivers window was taken up at the cabin on Thankgiving weekend. His fur has come in so beautifully that you would never know that he wa so bad when he first came into your care.

Well we are heading up north this weekend again and Busa and Anna love going for long hikes in the forest, especially with the cooler wheather we are having and again they keep on going and going and going, then when we get back to the cabin they are out for the count.

Ron and I want to thank you again for the best Newfies that we could ask for. I know that if we had a big farm right now we would be asking for some brothers for Busa and Anna, Newfoundlands are truly a special breed. You can have the most terrible day at work but when you get home, there are 2 of the most gorgeous fur balls waiting for you at the door wagging their tails and kissing your face, we wouldn't change a thing. Anna & Busa are our gentle giants and we are so happy that they both are part of our family.

I hope you enjoy the pictures of Anna & Busa and one day we will all meet up for a reunion.

Thanks again Sandra & Patti for the 2 best Newfs in the world!!!! :O)

Margaret, Ron, Anna & Busa

Adopter Update: Star

2011-10-22T11:07:00.003-04:00

Here's some new photos of Star from her adoptive mom. Look how great she looks with her coat grown in!

Almost exactly 5 months since we adopted each other!

Adopter Update: Jade

2011-10-22T10:57:00.001-04:00

Here's an email from Jade's new family:

Just wanted to share a picture of Jade. She went to the groomers yesterday and they tied her newf floof with a yellow bow! I don't think that she was impressed. It might be a good look for a Shitzu but not so much for a newf...lol

She is barking at me telling me to not take her photo here. Although she looks really pretty.

She is continuing to fit in well. She really is a love. She loves going to our local leash free park as well as just walking in the neighbourhood. Everyone always comments on how beautiful our dogs look together. She and my son have become very good friends. And they love meeting everyone when we are out.

Have a good weekend!

Update: October 17, 2011

2011-10-17T14:23:00.005-04:00

The latest news from Newf Friends..............

New arrival Jack is doing great in foster care, and will hopefully have a home very soon.

Handsome boy Alex is making lots of progress in foster care and will be ready to be neutered very soon. Details about him can be read here.

5 year old Tycho is looking better every day. This sweet boy is doing great and is healthy enough to be neutered now! Details about Ty can be read here.

Lovable, 4 year old beauty River is happy as can and still on bed rest recovering from her first TPLO surgery. She has had a minor set-back in her recovery and her second surgery will be delayed longer to ensure she has time to fully heal before we proceed with the second surgery. River's bio can be read here.

Yogi still needs a family to love! We have had some great applications come in but they have just not been the right family for Yogi. He is such a good boy, surely there is someone out there who wants to love him? Yogi the Saint (who we are fostering for our parent group HART) is still waiting for a family to come along - 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. Yogi is a loving boy and will make a wonderful companion for the right adopter.

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!

Don't you want to run and play with this boy??? Handsome boy Duke is a super friendly boy who is playful, fun loving and cute as can be. Look how adorable he is! He is having a blast playing and being a total goof ball in foster care. He's a great boy for an active family who wants a playful dog to accompany them while they are out having fun. Read about him here.

Love bug Otis has been adopted! So happy for you big guy!

Adorable Pandora has an adoption pending, just waiting on the paper work!

Our new line of Newf themed merchandise is ready to go! Our Online Store is updated and we are ready to take orders!

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!

Check out George!

2011-10-17T11:25:00.003-04:00

Check out this video created by the folks responsible for the Dog Surfing Championships in California! Newf Friends rescue George is featured prominently in the video strutting his stuff at last year's competition.

Make your voice heard, stop irresponsible breeding!

2011-10-12T14:47:00.002-04:00

On the October 5th, 2011 episode of the CBC television show Dragon's Den, Ingrid Johansson and Raf Khoury presented their request for financial investment in their company, Matchmaker Pet. This company is promoted as an "online dating service" for dogs. Members pay a fee to profile their dog in an attempt to find a mate. The intended result is a litter of puppies which the pet owners will then attempt to sell to the public.

In a society where dogs are euthanized at alarming rates, shelters are overflowing with unwanted dogs and rescues are overwhelmed by both purebred and mixed breed dogs, it is beyond comprehension that this concept was granted airtime, let alone investment dollars.

Last week, the city of Toronto banned the sale of dogs in pet stores in an attempt to curtail the activity of puppy mills. We, in rescue, celebrated this milestone only to be confronted this week by the irresponsibility of a television show, on a publicly funded network, promoting the irresponsible breeding of dogs. We are appalled and infuriated by both the decision to present the concept on the show and the decision of one of the dragons to invest in this business.

Responsible dog breeding is the result of years of careful study, medical tests on breeding stock, puppy follow ups and health guarantees. It is a science, not a whim. Responsible breeders stand behind the animals they bring into the world for their lifetime. The idea that a website with bios and cutesy photos of potential mates will help promote the health and welfare of a breed is absolutely ludicrous! Specific breeds are susceptible to certain medical problems which can be inbred. Responsible breeders try to breed these problems out to in order promote a healthier, stronger breed of dog. Helter skelter breeding only increases the incidence of these issues. There are too many dogs being bred every day in Canada. This notion of a doggy dating service will serve to encourage misinformed people, looking to make a fast dollar, to bring more dogs into the world.

We, in rescue, are confronted by the results of irresponsible breeding on a daily basis. Back yard breeders and puppy mills account for the majority of the purebred dogs that end up in rescue. Clearly the concept of Matchmaker Pet was the brainchild of two people who have not contemplated the horrible fates that often befall pets conceived in such a haphazard manner. Every day, those of us who are passionate about animal rescue, are in the trenches cleaning up after the likes of people like Ms Johannson and Mr. Khoury, and now Ms Dickinson. We are disgusted by the lack of foresight shown by all involved - this sort of idiocy must be stopped.

We encourage the CBC to publicly retract its support of the Matchmaker Pet Company. We encourage Arlene Dickinson, who invested in the idea, to withdraw her investment support. We invite her to educate herself on the issue of pet overpopulation. Perhaps spending a day in a shelter will open her eyes to the problems that the promotion of this concept can cause. We are certain that armed with the proper information, the concept of this company will be as repellent to her as it is to us.

Finally, we encourage the sponsors of Dragons' Den, Scotiabank, in particular, to contact the CBC to express their disapproval for this venture. To make your voice heard, please contact the CBC at:
http://www.cbc.ca/contact/ or Arlene Dickinson through Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Arlene*-Dickinson/184707952460?v=wall
Read what others are saying:
http://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/2011/09/matchmaker-pet.html

Jack

2011-10-12T13:23:00.009-04:00

Jack

Jack has been adopted!

Say hello to Jack, an adorable 3 year old Landseer who is looking for love.

Friendly, social and lovable, Jack gets along with everyone he meets. He loves people and is happy to be right in the middle of all the action at his foster home. He is very affectionate and loves belly rubs and cuddles. What a sweet boy!

Jack gets along with other well socialized dogs and loves playing and romping with them. Jack seems disinterested in the cat in his foster home, so could join a family who have a cat.

Playful and happy, Jack loves running, playing fetch and especially loves wrestling with the other dogs in his foster home. He is well suited to an active owner who likes to go for walks and get out and play with their Newf. As much as he loves playing, a good nap afterwards with his playmates in a sunny spot makes Jack a happy boy.

Jack knows basic commands and is a very smart boy. He is housebroken, crate trained, and has fairly good leash manners. What a great boy Jack is, he is going to make one lucky family very happy.

If you would like to be considered for adopting Jack, please complete an adoption application to begin the process. He is being fostered in Petawawa and his adoptive family will be required to pick him up in person. An adoption donation of $500 applies.

Adopter Update: Jade

2011-10-04T22:11:00.003-04:00

Hi Sandra,

I just wanted to give you another update on Jade. She has been with our family for just over a week now. Jade and Sophie (8 year old newf) are getting along very well.

She is still settling in and adjusting to our routine. She is such a friendly, sweet girl who is patient and loves everyone.

We took her up to the cottage this weekend to see how she liked that. Apparently she is a cottage dog! She didn’t swim but did enjoy wading and splashing with Sophie in the shallows. And also enjoys a good game of fetch, as well as chasing Sophie around the field and generally being silly.

We had a “welcome to the family” party last night for her where we introduced her to our extended family. And she took to the 10 extra people in house, including 20 month old twins like she had been with us forever.

Here are some pictures from the weekend.

The three “kids” playing a game of fetch…

Will update again soon, just wanted to send a note with some pictures to let you know that she is continuing to settle in well and has been a wonderful addition to our family!

Adopter Update: Samson (formerly Satchmo)

2011-10-02T08:59:00.003-04:00

Hi Sandra,

Wow a full year.

Happy GOTCHA Day Samson !!

A full year since you joined our family, wow. It has been an amazing year big boy, a long road of fun, love and care. After arriving on October 2, 2010 Samson immediately became part of the family. His sister Molly accepted him right away, showing him the ropes and keeping him in his place (typical woman), while showing him love and care as he regained his health. Samson and Molly are now inseparable; he always looks for her when they are out together.

While it took a lot of time, experimenting and patience to get Samson back to 100% health, in June of this year we could finally declare him 100% healthy. A big thank you to all the vets at Campus Estates in Guelph for providing a great mix of medication and common sense in his journey.

Thank you to Newf Rescue for finding and giving this big boy a second chance. In case you are wondering the 75 pound boy is now 34 inches at the shoulder and weighs in at 132 pounds, and he is still growing.

Julie and I are looking forward to the many years of joy and love ahead of us with this big love hound !!!

Cheers

Neil

Fundraisers!

2011-09-28T11:09:00.004-04:00

There's a bunch of fundraisers happening in support of Newf Friends right now! Why not check out the auctions and online stores and pick up some early holiday gifts for the Newf lovers on your shopping list?

Thank you to all of the donors who have donated these fantastic items!

We have a set of 4 custom Irish Coffe mugs from Cafe Newf with the Newf Friends logo on them! How awesome is that???? I KNOW a bunch of you like Irish Coffee, so start bidding.

Here's the link.

The second item which was posted last night thanks to a kind donor is a very rare book from 1934, a Purina Dog Book ..... signed by Helena Linn! Newf Memorabilia collectors will be super excited to see this piece. The auction is only up for a few days, do not miss out!!!!

The link to the book auction is here.
Also be sure to visit the Teddy Bear Picnic store where proceeds will also be donated to us!
And if you haven't been there yet, check out the OC NN gathering online store. They are also sending all proceeds to us!

And of course lets not forget the official Newf Friends online store with all of our cool products, many of which were custom designed for us. Our 2012 calendars are GORGEOUS, printed on heavy, glossy paper featuring photos from NewfStock. You're going to love them, order yours today before we sell out!

Just a Dog

2011-09-27T10:14:00.003-04:00

From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a dog”, or, “that’s a lot of money for just a dog”. They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for “just a dog”.

Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a dog”. Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a dog”, but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just a dog” and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a dog” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it’s “just a dog”, then you will probably understand phases like “just a friend”, “just a sunrise”, or “just a promise”. “Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. “Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person. Because of “just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it’s not “just a dog” but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. “Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it’s not “just a dog” but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a human.” So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog”, just smile, because they “just don’t understand”.

~author unknown

Auction Items to support Newf Friends!

2011-09-26T15:04:00.003-04:00

The first of the online auctions has opened in support of Newf Friends! CAFE NEWF is donating the proceeds from the sale of these awesome Irish Coffee mugs to Newf Friends to put towards River's care! Thank you Vicky!

Here's the link to the auction--bid generously!!!!!

Update: September 26, 2011

2011-09-26T13:03:00.003-04:00

Here's this week's wrap-up......

PoochPalooza a success! Thanks to all of our supporters who came out to visit us at PoochPalooza on the weekend. With so many Newfs in attendance we sure made a statement, and we raised lots of much needed funds too. It's always great to have a visit from so many of the Newfs who have gone through our program.

A big thank you to Deanna and Bryan, owners of The Caledon Inn for organizing this fantastic event and making us a part of it.

New arrival Chewy is doing fantastic in his foster home and we are reviewing applications for him now. Read all about this little cutie here.

Handsome boy Alex is getting settled in foster care. This 2 1/2 year old is still under assessment. Details about him can be read here.

5 year old boy named Tycho is coming along nicely and proving to be a really sweet boy. He has been to the vet for his first exam and is undergoing treatment now for his severe reaction to flea infestation. Details about Ty can be read here.

4 year old beauty River had her first TPLO surgery on September 22 and is recovering well in foster care. The little monkey is feeling great! River's bio can be read here.

A huge thank you goes out to everyone from around the globe who pulled together to raise funds to cover River's treatment and rehabilitation. We met our fundraising goal and can go ahead with giving River ALL needed care. Thank you!

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 was adopted by an awesome family on Saturday--they came to PoochPalooza to pick her up! Congratulations Jade!

6 year old love bug Otis has an adoptive home confirmed. He will be joining them after he recovers from his neuter surgery.

Adorable Pandora has an adoption pending, just waiting on the paper work!

Our new line of Newf themed merchandise is ready to go! Our Online Store is updated and we are ready to take orders!

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!

River's Surgery Update

2011-09-22T14:31:00.009-04:00

Thank you once again to Dr. Kim Facey - Apsley Veterinary Services and Dr. Michael Faessen, Soft Tissue and Orthopaedic Small Animal Surgeon for your exceptional care, your generosity and your commitment to helping animals in need.**

River came through her surgery well today. She is resting comfortably now at the vet clinic, tolerating the pain meds well. We will be checking back in later this evening and expect to have her return to her foster home tomorrow.

The damage to her knees is extensive, her ortho vet stating this is the "worst he has ever seen", a chronic issue that has been ongoing for some time. In addition to the torn cruciate ligament in each knee River also has a luxating patella in both legs (not just one leg as previously discovered by her former vet). River's right leg was operated on today. The luxating patella was not corrected at this time due to the extensive damage to her knee from the cruciate tear taking priority. The damage to the meniscus was severe, which is extremely painful, so River should feel great relief now. Her surgery took a long time but was successful.

The plan of action now is to focus on allowing her right knee to heal. In 3 weeks River will begin specialized therapy on her repaired knee to assist with her healing, strengthen her muscles and prepare her for the surgery on her left knee. Details about this therapy will be posted once she sees the specialist in a few weeks time.

We will repair her left cruciate in 6-8 weeks, assuming her recovery is going well on her right knee. Given the severity of her cruciate injuries, corrective surgery will bring River tremendous relief, and give her the stability in her knees that is needed to lead a good quality life. Her prognosis for vast improvement following the surgeries is very, very good.

There is also a chance that with the successful repair of her ligaments, surgery for her patella can be avoided, but this will not be known for several months. Relieving the pain and joint instability from the damaged cruciate is the most important step at this time for restoring River's quality of life. Today's surgery was the first step in helping her lead a pain free, happy life!

All of the Newf Friends volunteers extend their sincere THANK YOU to everyone who has given donations towards River's care. The outpouring of support for this sweet girl has been incredible, and we have exceeded our fundraising goals and can confidently move forward with all necessary treatment for River. THANK YOU TEAM RIVER! As of this morning, River's fund sits at $6107!!!!!
We know there are still several fundraising initiatives happening right now for River's care and we will be putting all funds raised into River's fund for the time being. Once her treatments have been completed, any remaining funds will be transferred to our general Newf Friends fund and used towards the care of other Newfs in need.
___________

** Dr. Facey has been instrumental in the care of many of the Newfs who have gone through our program and many of the dogs who have gone through our parent All Breed rescue group HART. Thank you Kim from all of the us!
Dr. Facey has enlisted the assistance of Dr. Faessen for some of the more challenging, delicate or specialized surgeries including surgery for Ella, Mackenzie, Jade and Geordie. Thank you Michael for your support and compassion towards the care of rescued dogs.
Without rescue minded vets like Kim and Michael, as well as our other key veterinarian Dr. Janice Selinger (Bridle Trail Veterinary Clinic) Newf Friends would not be able to make such a tremendous difference in the lives of so many Newfs. Your support is greatly appreciated and we are so fortunate to have you all as part of our team.

Chewy

2011-09-21T16:50:00.013-04:00

Chewy

#3665

October 15, 2011: Chewy was adopted!

This adorable 5 month old pup is Chewy! Gorgeous, sweet and good natured this guy is looking for a super family to welcome him into their home and hearts.

"I'm all wet!!"

Irresistible wouldn't you say?

He entered our program on September 21, 2011 with many tears from his owner because their life circumstances changed and they could no longer keep him. They have done a terrific job to this point with training and socializing him which has resulted in Chewy being a darling boy, well on his way to being a well mannered adult Newf.

After one day in foster care, we can say that Chewy is a lovely puppy. He's fun, playful, affectionate and absolutely adorable. He knows many commands already and walks very nicely on a leash. Smart as a whip, he soaks up everything he's taught and is very eager to learn. In his video you can see how quick he is to respond and he was working for ... blueberries! He loves them!

He gets along very well with other dogs and loves to romp, play and wrestle. He also likes cats and is fine with them (though if they are playing and running, he will try and join in!). He's great about being handled, if a little squirmy while being brushed. He has no issues sharing anything he's eating or playing with. He rides great in the car and likes to go on outings, especially to the dog park. Fully crate trained, he sleeps in his crate at night without any fuss and wakes in the morning ready to enjoy all life has to offer.

Chewy is a typical busy puppy and if unsupervised he will get into mischief, such as bathroom garbage cans, toilet paper, cardboard, newspapers, shoes ... you get our drift. He is looking for a family that will continue his obedience training and socialization. He will require lots of daily exercise and stimulation to keep him busy and out of trouble. Puppies are a lot of work, especially a giant breed, and his new family should be prepared for this.

Caught in the act!!

What does he do bad? He has discovered he can just about reach the countertop and likes to check out the edges for tasty morsels. He also tends to bark when he's bored or feels the other dogs should be playing with him. Not huge issues at all and given his young age, they should be easily corrected with some training.

He is ready to join a new family now and applications are being accepted to be considered for adopting him. We are looking for a family that has another young, larger dog for him to play with and the time (and energy!) to keep up with a busy puppy. An adoption donation of $500 applies. Born on April 28, 2011, he is too young to be neutered so will be adopted with a strictly enforced non-breeding/neuter contract. At 5 months, he weighs 45 lbs.

He is being fostered in the Guelph Ontario area and his adoptive family will be required to pick him up in person.

Chewy was a huge hit on the Newf Friends booth at Pooch Palooza September 24 and 25th in Caledon. Thank you to all that came to see him and generously donated to his vest.

MA groomer steps up to support River!

2011-09-19T16:25:00.003-04:00

Need a groomer? Why not contact Newf lover and rescue supporter Tricia Lawless at South Cape Grooming in Waquoit, MA (one of the villages that make up Falmouth, Massachusetts.)

Starting last Wednesday, and extending for 4 weeks, Tricia will make a donation to Newf Friends of $1/lb for each dog she grooms on Wednesdays! How great is that!? So, a 125 lb Newf would equal a $125 donation! This money is to support River in her recovery.

As an added bonus, Tricia has offered Newf Friends and HART adopters a 25% discount on grooming. She says she sees lots of vacationing Ontarians in Cape Cod, and we do have some adopters in that neck of the woods too, so if you are an adopter be sure to pop in and thank Tricia for her support!

Thank you Tricia for your generosity!

Adopter Update: Luke

2011-09-19T15:11:00.003-04:00

Hi Newf Friends!

Just wanted to let you know that Luke is doing great! We’ve had a very smooth transition since he came home almost two weeks ago; he seemed comfortable fairly quickly. Luke is so well-mannered and easy going, and is excellent with our two girls. Even the cats, who had their noses out of joint at first, sit on the couch close to where Luke is; it’s so nice that everyone gets along well. We’re working on providing Luke with more socialization in the hopes of developing his confidence around other dogs, but his leash manners are good and he is learning new commands too. All in all, he is just the sweetest and has become my shadow for sure, which I love! Although Luke is laying down in these pictures, we are outside a lot, enjoying walks on these cool Fall days. We really love our new family member! He’s awesome!

Thanks so much Newf Friends!

Mindy, Tom, Ava & Beatrice

Update: September 17, 2011

2011-09-17T18:41:00.006-04:00

Once again, it's been a busy time for Newf Friends with lots going on. Volunteers are getting ready for PoochPalooza next weekend, and we hope to see you there! Support a good cause and have a great time!

Visit us out at PoochPalooza September 24-25, 2011 in Caledon, ON.

Say hello to Alex. This 2 1/2 year old love bug arrived today. Details about him can be read here.

Also arriving today is this gorgeous 5 year old boy named Tycho. This poor boy is in very bad physical condition and is going to need lots of TLC to get him fixed up and healthy. Details about Ty can be read here.

4 year old beauty River has been vetted and is ready for her first surgery. She is set to have one knee repaired on September 22, followed by the second knee a few weeks after that. This sweet girl's legs are a mess and we are enlisting the help of a Soft Tissue Surgeon to perform multiple specialized surgeries to help repair her legs and enable her to live the life she deserves. River's bio can be read here.

A huge thank you goes out to everyone from around the globe who has been pulling together to raise funds to cover River's treatment and rehabilitation.

As of today we are nearing our fundraising target to save River. We're very close so please, if you are able to help, considering making a donation to help us reach our goal!

Yogi still needs a family to love! He is such a good boy, surely there is someone out there who wants to love him? Yogi the Saint (who we are fostering for our parent group HART) is still waiting for a family to come along - 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. Yogi is a loving boy and will make a wonderful companion for the right adopter.

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 the right family to come along. Gentle, easy going, well mannered Jade is an all around awesome girl. She gets along with everyone! She needs a family of her own to love! Read all about her here.

6 year old love bug Otis has an adoption pending. Lucky boy!

Adorable Pandora has an adoption pending, just waiting on the paper work!

Our new line of Newf themed merchandise is ready to go! Our Online Store is updated and we are ready to take orders!

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!

Tycho

2011-09-17T18:22:00.008-04:00

Tycho

# 3660

Meet Tycho, a handsome 5 year old Newf who is looking for a loving family to call his own.

Ty arrived in our care with his nephew Alex on September 17 after their owners determined they were not able to meet their needs.

Having been infested with fleas for over a year, Ty was suffering greatly. His coat had mostly fallen out from scratching and chewing himself, he was very underweight, weak, tired. He has responded very well to a good diet and vet care and has already come a long way physically.

Here is Ty on intake:

Fleas can kill your dog! Read our article on fleas for more information.

Here he is on October 7. After only 3 weeks in foster care, you can already see a tremendous improvement thanks to treatment for parasites, and proper nutrition:

As Ty's health continues to improve we will be able to vaccinate him, then neuter him to prepare him for adoption.

He is a loving boy who is affectionate and enjoys the company of people. Lacking confidence, he would be happiest joining a family with someone who can take some time to work with him to help him improve in this area. He enjoys being with people and is well suited to a home where someone is around most of the time.

Having had little opportunity for socialization, Ty will benefit from the care of a gentle but confident handler who is experienced with giant breeds to help him. He knows basic commands and is eager to please. He is just waiting for a loving owner to come along and teach him all about how to be a happy, confident boy.

He is in a temporary foster home in the Lindsay area and we will be looking to move him to a long term foster home for rehabilitation as soon as possible. We are looking for a foster home with a very well socialized female dog or with no other dogs, and an experienced handler who can help train Ty. Although he lived with another intact male Newf with no issues, he does not have the doggie social skills to cope well meeting new dogs at this point. He just doesn't know what to do when he meets new dogs. He will blossom in the care of an owner or foster who can help him spend time with other dogs and learn how to interact with them.

This gentle boy deserves a chance at a new life. If you would be interested in fostering or adopting Ty please complete a foster (or adoption) application and return it to us. For insurance purposes, foster homes must be in Ontario, although adoptive homes can be outside of the province.

Alex

2011-09-17T18:11:00.009-04:00

Alex

# 3661
Alex has been adopted!

Say hello to Alex, an adorable 3 year old Landseer who is ready to find his perfect family. He's a lovable, gentle boy who wants so badly to find a home of his own.

This lovable boy arrived along with his uncle Tycho when their owner was not able to meet their needs.

Alex is a sweet boy with lots of potential. He is looking for an adoptive (or foster) home where he will get lots of opportunity for socialization and confidence building. In the loving care of a confident leader, Alex will blossom! This shy boy has so much to offer, he just needs someone to help him reach his potential.

Born Dec 27/08 this young fella' is cute as can be. We have taken care of his skin issues, vaccinated and neutered him and Alex is now ready to find his perfect family.

Al is currently in a temporary foster home in the Lindsay area. Because he has not had proper opportunities to socialize with other dogs Alex is best suited to a foster or adoptive home where he is the only dog, or with a very well socialized female dog and a handler who can work with him to teach him how to play with other dogs.

If you are interested in fostering or adopting Alex please complete the appropriate application to begin the screening process.

Update: September 7, 2011

2011-09-07T11:20:00.006-04:00

Another busy time for Newf Friends with new arrivals and adoptions. Here's what we've been up to:

4 year old beauty River arrived in our care last week and she needs your help! This sweet girl's legs are a mess and we are enlisting the help of a Soft Tissue Surgeon to perform multiple specialized surgeries to help repair her legs and enable her to live the life she deserves. Donations are desperately needed to help us cover the high cost of River's veterinary care. We expect that she will be in our foster program for approximately 6 months, require up to 3 surgeries and extensive rehabilitation before she is healed and ready to be adopted. River's bio can be read here.
Thank you to all of the generous donors who have contributed towards River's veterinary care so far. Over $1400 have come in over the last week, but we still have a long way to go! We are estimating that over the next few months we will need approximately $6000 to cover River's vet bills, pain medications and expenses during her time in foster care. Please, if you are able to help, considering making a donation.

Also new in our program is 6 year old love bug Otis. This gorgeous purebred Landseer is in the loving care of Dr. Janice who is working hard to resolve his skin/feet/ear issues. He is making progress, but will need a bit more time before he will be ready to join a new family. Read all about him here.

Handsome boy Duke is a super friendly boy who is playful, fun loving and cute as can be. Look how adorable he is! He is having a blast playing and being a total goof ball in foster care. He's a great boy for an active family who wants a playful dog to accompany them while they are out having fun. Read about him here.

Beautiful Jade is still waiting for the right family to come along. Don't miss out on this awesome girl, she is a fabulous girl! Gentle, easy going, well mannered Jade is an all around awesome girl. She gets along with everyone! Read all about her here.

Adorable purebred Newf, Luke has been adopted by great family! Congratulations Luke!

Adorable Pandora has an adoption pending!

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!

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!

River

2011-08-30T17:00:00.018-04:00

River

#3666

January 21, 2012: We are setting up a home visit for a potential home for River!

Say hello to River, a beautiful, sweet, loving 4 year old girl who is looking for a family to call her own.

River is a total love bug, gentle and affectionate and loves to give slobbery kisses. She gets along with everyone and is a happy girl with a true gentle giant temperament, she is great with people, kids, dogs, cats, you name it--a dream! She has stolen the hearts of everyone she has met and she is going to make one special family very happy!

This stunning 4 year old purebred girl was turned over to us by her heartbroken owners who were unable to meet her health needs. River had torn the cruciate ligament in BOTH of her knees and has a luxating patella. She required multiple surgeries to correct the damage and several months of rehab. Working with an orthopaedic specialist to help River regain mobility and ensure she has an excellent quality of life, Newf Friends volunteers worked to return River to good health.

Thank you to all of our supporters who rallied to raise funds for River's care. "TEAM RIVER" really came through for River and we surpassed our fundraising goal and were able to move forward with saving River.

Team River's progress--we did it! Thank you to everyone who helped raise funds for River's care!

River, the morning of her first surgery....

River's first surgery was performed on September 22, 2011. It was a success. Details can be read here.

Her second surgery was performed on November 11, 2011. Within 24 hours she was already walking around and weight bearing on the newly repaired leg. Details about her second surgery can be read here.

All of us at Newf Friends once again extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Kim Facey - Apsley Veterinary Services and Dr. Michael Faessen - Soft Tissue and Orthopaedic Small Animal Surgeon for their ongoing support of our work in rescue.

River is pictured here with the team from Apsley Veterinary Services the morning after her second surgery. Dr. Facey (left) and her team have been instrumental in River's rehabilitation.

River had her follow-up x-rays done on January 14 and she is healing well. Her gait has improved dramatically and she is able to get around well now although she still has more healing to do. She has recovered from an infection she picked up last month, and we have one more follow-up test to ensure the infection will not return, and then River will be ready to join an adoptive home.

Due to irreparable damage to her legs, River will always have some gait issues, and River's ideal home will be one with no stairs and non-slip floors. She could join a family with other dogs, but they must be respectful and not rough-house with her. She can live in a home with respectful children.

To be considered for adopting River, please complete our adoption application and return it to us. Our usual adoption donation of $500 will be reduced to $300 for River given that she will require daily medication (Metacam) for her life.

River is being fostered in the Ottawa area and her approved adoptive family will be required to pick her up in person.

Otis

2011-08-30T16:28:00.007-04:00

Otis

October 7, 2011: Otis was adopted!!!

They don't get much more adorable than this! Meet Otis, a lovable boy who is the epitome of what a Newf should be. A gorgeous boy with a massive, beautiful head and a calm, gentle temperament.

Otis loves attention and his foster mom reports that he chooses to be petted over eating his meals! He is wonderful with everyone he meets and is just happy to be around people.

Well mannered, Otis complies with requests immediately and has nice house manners. An all around great boy, he will make a wonderful, mellow companion for the right family.

He gets along well with other animals, including dogs, although is not impressed with pushy males. However, he follows direction so well that he is easily managed.

Otis will be 7 this fall, and is a large boy who is in good shape. He is currently suffering from allergies and we are working to get his skin/feet/ear issues resolved. Once his infections clear he will be neutered and will be ready for adoption.

To be considered for adopting Otis please complete an adoption application and return it to us.

Otis is being fostered in York Region and his adoptive family will be required to pick him up in person.

Mimi Before and After - Adopter Update

2011-08-24T12:01:00.003-04:00

At the beginning of October 2010 a 4 year old female Landseer Newfoundland came into our rescue from Quebec. Her name was Mimi and she was approximately 50 lbs overweight, unspayed, skin issues, poor coat and infections in both ears. She was to be a long term foster as she needed to safely lose the weight before she could be spayed and adopted. She had a gorgeous personality so her foster parents were not concerned that she'd be with them for at least 6 months. They started her on a high quality, grain free diet and a regular exercise regime, slowly increasing her endurance and fitness level. Her starting weight was 165 lbs and it began to come off at a rate of 1-2 lbs/week. Below are her 'before' pictures taken in October 2010.

Fast forward to August 2011, 10 months later. Mimi is a completely different dog, almost unrecognizable from when she came to Newf Friends. Over the course of the Winter and Spring Mimi shed almost 50 lbs through regular daily exercise and a carefully monitored diet. She ate only her high quality dog food (Acana Pacifica to be exact) and received no treats except vegetables. She loves cucumbers, cabbage, celery and peppers!

A healthy 120 lbs!

Look at the shine on her coat!

Mimi loves to fetch her big ball

At the beginning she could not walk more than 5 minutes without stopping for a rest. She can now trot at a brisk pace for over an hour. She runs and plays with the other dogs and has learned to fetch her big ball. Her coat is glossy and full and her skin is in great shape. She is the picture of a healthy Newfoundland dog! She had lost the weight by the end of May but went into heat so her surgery was postponed a few months to give her hormones and blood vessels the time to get back to normal.

Here's Mimi playing with her brother ~look at her go!!

Mimi was finally spayed on August 18th. She sailed through her laser spay surgery and woke up perky and not at all drowsy. Her vet (Kingsdale Animal Hospital) was amazed given her size and age (now 5). He attributed her speedy recovery to her great health and fitness level.

Throughout Mimi's transformation her foster parents knew they had a special girl on their hands and they decided they could not let her go. They adopted her! She has been a wonderful foster sister to many other Newfs and all breed dogs in need, always gentle, always kind. Losing the weight has added years to her life so she can continue to give back to other dogs in need for years to come.

Rescue dogs aren't always perfect but with time, patience, love and effort they can be the best dog you've ever owned. Please consider adopting a Newf in need.

Update: August 20, 2011

2011-08-20T18:27:00.007-04:00

There's been lots happening over the last little while.....

New arrival Otis entered our foster program yesterday. This gorgeous purebred Landseer will be in the care of Dr. Janice who will work to resolve his skin/feet/ear issues over the coming weeks. Details about this adorable boy are coming soon! Look out ladies, he's a real charmer.

Yogi needs a family to love! 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. Yogi is a loving boy and will make a wonderful companion for the right adopter.
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!

Handsome boy Duke is a super friendly boy who is playful, fun loving and cute as can be. He is having a blast playing and being a total goof ball in foster care. He's a great boy for an active family who wants a playful dog to accompany them while they are out having fun. Read about him here.

Adorable purebred Newf, Luke is an awesome boy who is gentle, well mannered and just about perfect! He's a sweet boy who is gets along with everyone, 2 and 4 footed.

Details about this cutie can be found here

Adorable Pandora, a young purebred Landseer, is making steady progress in foster care. This sweet girl is affectionate and wants nothing more than a family to spend all of her time with. Read about her here.

Beautiful Jade is still waiting for the right family to come along. She is all healed up from cruciate surgery and is now ready to find her perfect family. Gentle, easy going, well mannered Jade is an all around awesome girl. She gets along with everyone! Read all about her here.

Valerie has been adopted! She hit the jackpot with an AWESOME family! Can't wait to hear updates!

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.

Newf Friends gives a "shout out" to Megan, since we hear you check us out daily!

Our new line of Newf themed merchandise is ready to go! Our Online Store is updated and we are ready to take orders!

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!

Adopter Update: Molly

2011-08-16T08:33:00.003-04:00

HI folks – Molly and I were swimming in the lake near my house on the weekend. Pictures of her extraordinary cuteness are attached. She has taken to sitting on (rather than under) a bush in my back yard. It is killing the plant but it makes for a beautiful picture!

Adopter Update: Jazz

2011-08-14T17:48:00.001-04:00

Hi Allison,

Just thought I would give you an update on our girl. It is hard to believe that a month has past already, it seems as if she has been a part of our life always. After only 3 days with us we were able to take her off the leash and let her run free with her brother Benson. The two have become inseparable, swimming in the river, hanging out with mom or just lounging around the house. Jazz and Benson start their day with a walk to work, they hang out in my office with walks around the farm to say hi to the horses, people and dogs that come through, then we walk home. The kids have taken to Jazz and love to play with her, yes play, she does get going sometimes and it is sooo cute to watch. She also enjoys drinking out of the horses water troughs or the hose itself. All the horses seem to understand that she does not want to hurt them and they are her friends too.

After a visit to the groomer. Notice the pretty bows in her hair!

Dual drinkers!! Jazz at the bidet and her brother Benson takes the toilet. Ha!

Relaxing on the porch

We would like to say Thank you to Newf Friends for helping us find our girl and should we ever decide to get another dog we know where we are going to head.

Sincerely,

Allison, Craig, Arielle, Kyla, Cole, Benson and Jazz Park