Hi Sandra:

Handsome Docker, pictured above at the 2009 Newfoundland Dog Club of Canada's National Specialty, made an appearance on the Early Show this morning along with his owner Donna, a Newf lover and rescue supporter.

The segment featured several Giant Breed dogs, and was made in anticipation of the upcoming release of Marmaduke, the movie. Hopefully through offering eduction about the reality of owning a giant breed dog there will be less people spontaneously adopting a Dane without researching if the breed is a good match for their family.

The video can be seen by clicking this link.

Great job Docker and Donna!

Well despite Sam’s much less than stellar performances at beginner draft classes, he has become the proud owner of his own cart. I am fortunate to have a very a accomplished craftsman for a neighbour, who loves a challenge and is so good to me & my dog. He built this cart from verbal descriptions and bits and pieces I could find on the internet.

No-one who was at the draft classes would have recognized him tonight. Despite Sam’s extremely bad and embarrassing behaviour at or beginner draft classes.......like ending up in the pond, charging at other dogs while all harnessed up, he suddenly seemed to remember some of the things we learned at class when we hitched him up tonight. Hopefully he has gotten over his latent teenage rebellion!!!!!!

Sam’s new cart!!!!!

Ash handles, butternut box and wheelchair wheels!

Beginning the fitting with Brian, my good neighbour and master craftsman who made the cart.

(Yes Sam had a splash in the pond before we hooked him up :)

Still fitting!!!!

Sam – “What are you doing to me now?”

Standing patiently.

Ooh, I’m so handsome & lovable when I behave!!!!

First trial with the cart – now we can install the brakes on the shafts after observing the whole picture & fit.

Every year at work we do a big clean-up on Earth Day. This year Sam joined in with the 54 humans to do his part with the litter pick up

Well, I picked and he carried!


Working Hard!

A well deserved drink from the shuttle girls!

A proud & happy boy!


He's proud & HAPPY

........because.......a good friend was driving by and saw him hard at work, wearing the backpack which her Newfs used to wear, stopped to take a picture of him.............and when he realized it was HIS Susan....bolted through the green slime covered ditch, (fortunately ripping the belt loop on my jeans that he was tethered to) and raced up the hillside and sat obediently in front of her.

So good, so bad, so stinky!!!! But he did put his 2 hours in, amused the crew and got a lot of lovin' from so many people.

HART (the all-breed rescue we operate under) runs an educational ad each week in the local paper. This week's ad is about Working Dogs.

We are still accepting applications for Finnegan's adoption, and are currently screening potential homes. This big love bug is a goofy, fun-loving fella who will make a great addition to an active family.

Newf Friends foster volunteers are also still caring for a variety of other dogs for our parent group HART. Adorable puppies are still available. See our "Available Dogs" link!

Sophie and Tasha Update
2 months after Sophie and Tasha were found clinging to life with severe head trauma, the golden sisters continue to make progress in their HART/Newf Friends foster home.

The girls were found separately within a short time of each other on March 13, on a country road in Apsley. Sophie, who was found first was taken to Apsley Veterinary Clinic with critical injuries. She was not expected to survive what was initially thought to be injuries sustained from being hit by a car. Later that day, upon further examination and treatment her vet determined that her injuries were not consistent with being hit by a car, but rather with having been struck over the head. A short while after Sophie was found, her sister Tasha was found, also barely alive. She too suffered from head injuries that were not consistent with being struck by a vehicle.

Based on the injuries the girls sustained, their vet has determined that both girls likely received a violent blow to the top of the heads. Both girls suffered injuries only to the top of their heads -- Sophie on the right side, Tasha on her left side. Dogs that have been struck by a vehicle suffer injuries to a larger portion of their body than just an isolated spot on their head. Based on the location of the injuries and the type of injuries their vet has reported to the OPP, the OSPCA and to HART that the injuries that the girls have are consistent with having been beat over the head. Based on these findings this case is being investigated as an animal cruelty case.

Their injuries and road to recovery:

Both girls have made tremendous progress in the 2 months following their injuries. They have received treatments for their injuries multiple times a day for the last 8 weeks, and their vet has come to their foster location frequently to assess and make further treatment recommendations.

8 weeks after the incident, the inflammation in Sophie's head has reduced and a large dent where she was struck is permanently bashed into her skull. Sophie, who was the more severely injured, had multiple skull fractures all around her eye. Her eye was out of the socket when she was found, and remained that way for several days. She has permanently lost vision in her eye, but with extensive medical treatment the eye itself has not needed to be removed. Sophie has also suffered a ruptured eardrum from the blow to her head. As her brain swelled, she suffered extensive bleeding from her nose for days and she became anemic from blood loss. She was unable to use her tongue or her jaw for several days. She has permanent brain damage from the blow and the subsequent swelling. Sophie's gait has been affected and she has some impairment due to her injuries.

In foster care Sophie's progress has been steady, and as her strength returned, she began the long road to good health, and building muscle mass. Sophie, who 8 weeks ago was not expected to survive, is now happily running and playing with the other dogs in her foster home.

Tasha was struck on the left side of her head, and although her injuries were not as severe as Sophie's, she too suffered permanent damage to her eye and had extensive swelling and brain trauma. She was hospitalized for 6 days receiving extensive veterinary care before being moved into foster care. Like Sophie, she was at risk of losing her eye, but fortunately she has also been spared and her eye can be kept. Tasha was affected greatly by her injuries and her progress has been slower than her sister's. Supplements have been given to try to boost her immune system and help her heal. In addition to her injuries, Tasha also suffers from osteoarthritis which was diagnosed a few weeks ago. Her x-rays show moderate degeneration of her joints, and she is undergoing a regimen of exercise, proper diet, supplements and pain meds to try to address this.

On May 3rd Sophie and Tasha both underwent spay surgery. Given their age and body condition it was expected that they would require 4 weeks to recover from their surgery. We are happy to report that the girls are both ahead of schedule in their recovery and will be able to resume full activity at the 2 weeks mark.

The sisters, litter-mates who will be 8 years old this summer, have lived their entire lives together, and in sanctuary care with HART they will remain together. They have settled into their foster home and are happy to be members of their foster pack.

The Criminal Investigation:

In the days that followed the girls' injuries, their original owner was located and the story of what happened to the girls started to come together. Being careful not to impede the ongoing criminal investigation, HART has refrained from making public any information about this case or the suspects involved. We have presented only basic facts, and called on the public to come forward to the OPP or CrimeStoppers with any information they have regarding this case, to facilitate the police's investigation.

Information has been spotty and inconsistent, but tips continue to come in. Although we believe we know who was involved in this crime, there is a lack of concrete information and the criminal investigation is still ongoing. We still do not know exactly what happened that day -- but someone does. Our hope is that someone will come forward with the information needed to find justice for the girls, and to help prevent future violent acts in our community.

What can you do?

We are asking the public to please come forward if you have information about what happened to Sophie and Tasha. Tips can be called into CrimeStoppers 1-800-222-TIPS or the OPP. We are confident that with the public's assistance, the police will be able to get to the bottom of this crime. Someone knows what happened....please, come forward.

Speak out against cruelty to animals, and help give a voice to defenseless victims in our community. Spread the word that violent crimes against animals are being committed in our small community and that we all have to work together to put an end to it. Turning a blind eye does nothing to stop cruelty. If you witness cruel or violent actions directed towards animals, please report it to the police. Violence against animals is a criminal offense. Studies have shown that there is a strong link between violence to animals and directed towards people. Take action, and speak out against all forms of violence in your community.

Volunteer for HART/Newf Friends. We are always in need of volunteers to help in a number of capacities -- from fund-raising to fostering. Contact us and get involved!

Donations to help cover the cost of care for Sophie and Tasha are needed. HART is a registered charity, and a tax receipt will be issued for your kind donation. You can make donations online at www.hartanimalrelief.ca or cheques payable to HART can be sent to HART PO Box 1713 Bancroft, ON K0L 1C0

Bancroft, Ontario: April 30, 2010. 6 weeks after finding two Golden Retrievers, abandoned and near death on a country road in Apsley, Ontario, volunteers with the Highland Animal Relief Team (HART) are appealing to residents to help identify the person or persons responsible for the crime.



The two dogs, named Tasha and Sophie, were found on March 13th, with severe head trauma – consistent with having been beaten over the head. Both dogs have fractured skulls and have lost the use of one eye. Sophie has a ruptured eardrum and is still at risk of losing her damaged eye. Both suffer from brain injury, and Sophie will likely have permanent neurological dysfunction as a result of her injuries. Both were anaemic from blood loss.


“We’re hoping someone might have information to help solve the crime,” said Sandra, HART volunteer. “The likelihood of charges being laid is slim unless someone comes forward with more information.”

The dogs were not expected to survive the suspected beating, but thanks to exceptional around the clock care from the Apsley Veterinary Services, the two dogs are now convalescing in a foster home – under constant emotional and medical care.

Tips can be called in anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or the Bancroft OPP station 613-332-2112.

About HART Highland Animal Relief Team
Highland Animal Relief Team (HART) is an all-breed rescue, which provides supportive care for stray, injured and abandoned dogs in the Bancroft region. HART is a volunteer-run, registered charitable organization serving 13 municipalities over an area of 20,000 square kilometres and offers adoption services, a foster care program and a spay/neuter incentive program (SNIP) for low and fixed income and multi-pet families. Newf Friends Newfoundland Dog rescue is a division of HART.

For more information or to make a donation visit:
www.newf-friends.ca
www.hartanimalrelief.ca

Help prevent cruelty to animals by learning to identify cruelty, and understanding what steps you can take to stop it. It is only through action that we can make a difference.

Each year HART/Newf Friends has animals come into our care who have been the victims of cruelty in the form of neglect or cases of intentional cruelty. Dogs who have been abandoned, starved, denied veterinary care for injuries or illnesses, shot, beaten, dragged behind cars…..we see it all. With the help of concerned citizens who call in tips, police officers and animal control officers are able to investigate cruelty allegations and save animals from further harm. This can only happen if people come forward and report cruelty. Please, if you witness cruelty, don’t turn a blind eye and let the animals continue to suffer. Report cruelty, and save a life.


We have had several dogs come into HART’s care in recent months who have been the victims of cruelty. The most recent case involves 8 year old littermates Sophie and Tasha who are currently in the loving care of a Newf Friends/HART foster home.

On March 13, 2010 these gentle family dogs were found on a country road in Apsley, Ontario, barely clinging to life with severe head trauma. Their injuries are NOT consistent with being struck by a car--both show only injuries to the top of the head. Their injuries ARE consistent with being beaten over the head.



The girls’ injuries were extensive, and survival unlikely. Thanks to exceptional around the clock care from Dr. Kim Facey, Apsley Veterinary Services, these two girls beat the odds and survived. Tasha and Sophie both have fractured skulls and have each lost the use of one eye. Sophie has a ruptured ear drum and both girls are still at risk of losing their damaged eyes. Both girls suffer from brain injury, and Sophie will likely have permanent neurological dysfunction as a result of her injuries. Both girls were anemic from blood loss–-Sophie had chronic nosebleeds for nearly a week after her injuries.

After a week of hospitalization, the girls were moved to their foster home, where they have continued to receive medical care, with medication and treatments multiple times a day. Dr. Facey travels to their foster location to reassess the girls regularly.


Donations are needed to help cover the high cost of pain medications, eye medications, vet care including potential removal of Sophie or Tasha's eye and spaying of both girls once they are healthy enough. HART is a registered charity and a tax receipt will be issued for your kind donation. Donations can be made to HART online – in the comments section, note that you would like the funds directed to Sophie and Tasha. Cheques payable to HART can be mailed to HART PO Box 1713 Bancroft, ON K0L 1C0



The criminal investigation into what happened to Sophie and Tasha is not complete and we are not able to go into specific details at this time. There is a lack of concrete evidence and this is making the investigation difficult--the likelihood of charges being laid are slim unless someone comes forward with more information. Tips can be called in anonymously to CrimeStoppers 1-800-222-TIPS or the Bancroft OPP station 613-332-2112.

Some recent photos of Alfie (formerly Kodiak) sent to us from his adoptive family. He's doing great, loving life on their farm!

Great news -- Ralphie and Murphy have both now been adopted into loving homes. These boys both found themselves awesome homes where they will get lots of hugs and kisses, have playmates to romp around with, and all the loving they deserve.


Be sure to check out our Happy Endings section to read about the great families Newf Friends fosters have been adopted to.

For the moment we have no adoptable Newfs in our foster program. We do have families waiting to adopt a Newf, so if you are in a position where you have to consider re-homing your newf we can help. Please send us an email and one of our volunteers will be in touch. We do not require a surrender fee.

Although we do not have any adoptable Newfs available, our foster homes are still filled with dogs, as our volunteers have opened their hearts and homes to several dogs in the care of our parent all breed rescue group HART. A full listing of HART's adoptable dogs can be seen on their PetFinder listings.

Some of the dogs we are fostering include 5 adorable hound/GSD mixes, rescued from the Bancroft area.

We are also fostering a pair of senior Golden Retriever/Yellow Lab mixes, who's story will be shared in coming weeks.

Fostering is an incredibly rewarding experience and one of the greatest ways you can help dogs in need. We are always accepting applications for foster homes, both for Newfs and for other breeds. If you have room in your heart to care for a dog in need while we search for it's adoptive home, please complete a foster application (link on the right) to begin the screening process. We are able to accept applications from families living within a 3-4 hour drive of Bancroft.

Newf Friends volunteers recently held a planning sessions for our upcoming event Newfstock, to be held in September of this year. This promises to be a fun filled event, with loads of Newfs in attendance. Details and registration packages will be available soon!

Vendors interested in setting up a booth at the event are invited to send us an email.