A Newfound Easter

Happy Birthday Dad

Newfoundland's Unlikely Friendship with Duck Should Inspire a Children's Book

(By Genny Glassman - PetHelpful - March 6, 2024)

'We tend to think that big animals and little animals could never get along. But the sweet friendship between a duck and a Newfoundland is proving everyone wrong. The pair are practically glued at the hip. Very fittingly, these two are named Sven and Olaf. Sven is the Newfie, while Olaf is his duck BFF. The pair live together on a farm and are basically living in a storybook. A video shows the two walking together around the grounds. Olaf is right by Sven's side. Even when Sven starts to run round the yard, the duck makes sure to stay close by. The two rough house a little one part of the video. And in another clip they take a dip in a baby pool together. So sweet! They couldn't be any more opposite from each other, but for some reason they totally fit. Later in the thread, their owner shared that while Sven and Olaf didn't grow up together their friendship was fast. "They were adopted separately but the duck imprinted on the dog a few months after we brought him home,' she wrote. Makes total sense! Commenters loved their friendship. 'Can this possibly make me any happier?' wondered one person. 'Every time the dog runs and the duck quacks; I swear the duck is saying; 'Hey, wait for me, I got small legs!' someone else joked. 'Had a Golden Retriever and a Mallard Duck growing up and honestly they did everything together. Awesome bond between animals,' a third person shared. Sven and Olaf's friendship is so special that their owners have turned their story into a children's book, 'Adventures of Biss & Olee Play on the Farm. The two even got to travel together and meet kids all over promoting the story. In another video on their page the duck and Newfoundland greeted children in Chanute, Kansas. The kids were so happy to see them. The two also cozied up with their owner while she read from their book during a reading too. Elsewhere on their page, it shows the pair shopping together. Is there nowhere they won't go as a duo? Olaf even had a little leash to keep him in check while they shopped. 'When your human takes you shopping for your mental health and your dog is slowing you down,' the video's onscreen caption reads. Too cute! It's like these two can't be apart. You'd never think that a dog and a duck would be as close as these two are. But their TikTok page proves their bond really is something special."

"Newfoundland's Unique Napping Spot Is Enough to Make Anyone Laugh Out Loud"

(Gabrielle LaFrank - PetHelpful - March 3, 2024)

"If you're a fan of dogs like I am (you're reading this--of course you are), then you know that there are endless things to appreciate about our four-legged friends. They show us unconditional love and keep us entertained, and their personalities are one in a million. You'll never meet two dogs who are exactly the same, even if they come from the same litter. From odd-sounding barks to weird ways of showing love, there are so many things to appreciate about your dog's individuality. Just ask Cocoa the Newfoundland's owner! This aloof Newf helps herself to any napping spot that tickles her fancy, and her loving owner has simply accepted it. Even so, Cocoa's viewers are still getting over the unique nap spot that her owner shared in a February 25 TikTok video. LOL! I thought this massive dog was snoozing on the kitchen floor at first, but it was actually the kitchen counter. For a tall girl like her, she probably barely has to jump to get up there, but for her viewers who are used to having smaller dogs around--it's quite a shock! Commenters love that this dog owner has just accepted where Coco prefers to sleep, but others have questions. Does she not have a dog bed? Of course, she does! Both Cocoa and her brother (also a Newfoundland dog) have extra large dog beds just for them, but this stubborn pup prefers the counter instead. This is far from the first time she's counter-surfed, though her canine brother hasn't seemed to pick up on the habit. 'I think she likes it there because the counter is cold. Imagine popping a granite slab on the floor,' suggested @chelseaberrytoronto. 'She’d never move!' I think you're onto something! Dogs with double-layered fur coats, including Newfoundlands, can get warm rather easily, so it makes sense for her to seek out a cold surface. But it turns out she likes the elevation, too! Her owner explained that they've tried everything, but she always goes back to the counter. Why Some Dogs Like the Cold: As I introduced, there are some dog breeds that are built to withstand the cold. These breeds have two layers of fur in their coat, and their fur is also water-repellent. This comes in handy when you get stuck in the rain on your afternoon walk, but it can become an annoyance when a dog like Cocoa is indoors. She could be a bit too warm! If this is the case, the cool countertop likely feels soothing with all that fur. But as her owner explained, not even her very own granite slab on the floor would do the trick. This gal needs the counter and nothing less!"

Remarkable Survival: Missing Newfoundland Mix "Costa" Braves Pembrokeshire Winter for Five Months

(By Israel Ojoko - March 2, 2024)

"Amidst the wild and rugged landscapes of rural Pembrokeshire, a heartwarming tale of survival and resilience unfolded over the past five months. Costa, a three-year-old Newfoundland Cross, miraculously weathered the harsh winter conditions after disappearing from his new owner's car en route to his forever home. His journey from a hopeful rehoming to a desperate fight for survival captured the hearts of the local community and animal lovers nationwide. Vanishing Act to Victorious Return: Costa's story began with his escape during a car ride, a mere 50 minutes away from Greenacres Rescue Centre in Haverfordwest, sparking an exhaustive search. For months, sightings of the nervy pup were sporadic and fleeting, fueling concerns for his well-being amidst the season's worst weather. The search effort saw a glimmer of hope when Drone Search and Rescue for Lost Dogs detected Costa on their cameras, leading to his capture with the aid of chicken broth. This moment marked a turning point, bringing Costa from the precipice of despair back to safety. Recovery and Renewal: Upon his return to Greenacres Rescue Centre, Costa's condition, although a bit tatty, was remarkably good considering his ordeal. The staff, overjoyed by his survival, noted his recovery phase mostly involved rest, indicative of his exhaustion from the months spent in survival mode. Costa's resilience not only demonstrates the incredible survival instincts of dogs but also highlights the importance of community and technology in rescuing lost pets. His clean bill of health from the vets was the best outcome the rescue team could hope for, painting a hopeful picture for his future. Looking Forward: Costa's tale is more than just a story of survival; it's a testament to the spirit of hope and the power of a community united for a common cause. As he awaits his forever home once again, Costa's journey serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges and dangers faced by animals in the wild, and the remarkable resilience they can exhibit. His adventure through the toughest months of the year, surviving against the odds, has not only given him a second chance at life but also brought to light the incredible work done by rescue organizations and volunteers. Costa's story, fraught with peril, yet ending in triumph, encourages a reflection on the bonds between humans and animals, and the extraordinary lengths to which both will go to protect and save one another. As this brave dog now rests comfortably, his future looks bright, symbolizing hope, resilience, and the indomitable will to survive against all odds."

Bobby Kennedy's Newfoundland Dog - Brumus

(Reprinted from "Robert F. Kennedy - His Life and His Legacy" - Time (2018)

"Robert Kennedy was an animal lover, with a collection of pets, primarily dogs. Of this menagerie, his well-known favorite was a Newfoundland Dog named Brumus from Little Bear kennels, who was his devoted companion, often accompanying him to his office while he served as Attorney General in his brother's administration. Seen here in a pose familiar to many Newfoundland owners, Brumus curls up next to his master's chair, keeping him company during his long hours at work. 'The most notorious (of Kennedy’s pets) was Brumus, the malodorous Newfoundland, who peed once on Senator Harry Byrd’s spaniel and twice on two ladies picnicking at Hickory Hill, and who got his name and mug shot on the lyric sheet of the Jefferson Airplane’s Crown of Creation album. The doors to RFK's office was often open, and the staff felt free to drop in. The walls of his office were covered with his children's drawings, and his oversized, undersupervised Newfoundland dog, Brumus, annoyed visitors. When Bobby brought to work his beloved Brumus, the black Newfoundland who was the size of a pony and could drool at will, he let nature call in the courtyard and trusted the guards would clean up after him. Taped on the walnut paneling were brightly colored drawings done by Bobby and Ethel's children. There was a dartboard on the wall, a football on the desk. And, more often than not, there was Brumus - a huge, ill-tempered Newfoundland who nipped at visitors, stole food, raised his leg on the furniture, drooled on staff. Bobby adored him. If the dog was left at Hickory Hill, he whined at the front door until his master returned. Bobby couldn't bear the idea of Brumus spending a long, unhappy day at home, so every morning, the attorney general and his shaggy sidekick climbed into a chauffer-driven Cadilac and set off for work. Bobby found the limosine a little embarrassing, but the ride gave him a few uninterrupted minutes to go through paperwork - - and besides, Bumus liked it.'"

"Seaman" Statue Repaired After Vandals Strike

(By Doug Flanagan - February 22, 2024 - Cames-Washoul Post Record)

"One of Washougal’s most visible public art installations has been restored after receiving an unwelcome new coat of paint last month. Heather Soderberg Greene, a Cascade Locks, Oregon-based artist, traveled to Washougal on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, to show some love for her creation, “Seaman,” the bronze sculpture of a Newfoundland dog that has stood in downtown Washougal’s Reflection Plaza since 2015. Molly Coston, the president of the Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance president and a member of the Washougal City Council, told other city officials on Feb. 12, that the sculpture had been vandalized. 'It was painted with oil-based paints — the whole face red, white and blue. It was very, very obvious. It’s really very ugly. It’s unfortunate,' Coston said. 'This, of course, reminds us that we do need to maintain all of our public artwork, which is an expense for the City.' The Washougal Police Department ("WPD") said they have no leads or suspects, but that the vandalism occurred over the New Year’s holiday. “On. Jan. 3, I was made aware of a cold (case of) malicious mischief at Reflection Plaza. I was told the dog statue ‘Seaman’ had been painted,” Washougal police officer Kyle Kinnan stated in a police report. 'Upon my arrival, I found (the sculpture’s) face painted red, white and blue (and) took photographs of the damage. Looking around, I did not see any businesses with security cameras. I contacted the employees at Mary Jane’s (House of Glass), as they were closest to the damaged statue. They confirmed they did not have cameras that would pick up the location of the statue,' Kinnan stated in the report. “They did tell me the statue was already painted on Jan. 1, when they arrived at work in the morning and believed it was a New Year’s Eve prank.” Green used metalworking tools to remove the sculpture’s patina — a colored film on the surface of the bronze that is produced by oxidation over time — and apply a new one. 'Because of the age and weathering of the statue, I couldn’t just fix his face where the vandalism was done,' she said. 'First, I took a large propane torch and superheated the metal, burning off all debris, wax and clear-coat. The largest problem was the paint used for vandalizing was industrial heat-resistant paint. That was a major problem and took a lot of work removing. I had to use a pneumatic buffer to take it off.' Once she’d cleaned the sculpture, Green applied a fresh patina. 'I airbrushed a black patina oxide that chemically permeates the hot bronze, turning it black,' she said. 'Once the metal was cool to the touch, I sealed the whole statue with a clear lacquer. When that was completely dry, I waxed the statue to protect the patina and clear-coat from the elements.' Greene said she was 'very sad and disheartened to hear' that her sculpture had been vandalized. 'I have been very fortunate, and this was the first time it has happened to my statues,' she said. 'I am mostly very sad for the person that damaged him. I am sure they would be very hurt if someone destroyed something that they created. I truly hope that maybe instead of vandalizing other people’s work and property that maybe they would take that energy and put it towards creation and finding an outlet in their own painting — they seem to like colors. Creating art soothes all of my anxiety, pain and uncertainty in the world right now, and I wish for everyone struggling to be able to find a source of comfort. Greene created the sculpture, which depicts Seaman, the only animal to complete the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition of the early 1800s, in 2015. WACA purchased and installed the structure later that year."