Tanti Auguri

Happy Birthday Paige

THE LEGEND OF THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG

"There is a land where the waves explode upon the reef in a boiling foam, there the legend was born.

"As the story is told, God turned one day to contemplate all of his creations and saw on that Newfoundland Isle, flailed by storm a small nation of fishermen, whose rough, weather-beaten people fought courageously against the impervious elements of nature as the freezing cold winter and the unforgiving coastline took its toll, and the sea often asked the sacrifice of human life. Nevertheless, they remained deep-rooted, these men of Newfoundland with the stubbornness as great as their courage.

"God saw, and in his infinite compassion, thought how he might alleviate their suffering. He searched among the creatures of his creations but found none that would serve. It was then he decided to create one anew.

"He took the body of a bear, whose bone structure lent well to such arduous labours and whose thick fur would resist the bitter Newfoundland cold. Then he thought to sweeten this silhouette with the lithe, flexuous lines and movements of the seal, with all its prowess to swim and speedily slip between the waves.

"Now turning to the sea, he saw the playful dolphins happily following the ships, their sweet, joy-filled eyes revealing their serene temperament, and more; they so love man that they often rescue them, saving them from the sea. Yes, they too would be part of this creature.

"When he had done the moulding and casting, there suddenly appeared in his creative arms, a superb animal with glistening black fur; powerful and sweet in the same moment.

"This new being, however, had to have an allegiance and faithfulness, tried and true, to be able to live beside man and be ever ready to offer his life for his master. It was at that moment that the Lord opened and placed in his chest, the heart of a dog, and the miracle was complete.

"From that day onward, those men of the sea had beside them, their courageous companion ever strong, ever faithful, the Newfoundland Dog."

(Reprinted in translation from the book Il Cane Di Terra Nova by Emmy Bruno, editor Mursia-Milano)

I Am Your Dog

"I am your dog, and I have a little something I'd like to whisper in your ear. I know that you humans lead busy lives. Some have to work, some have children to raise. It always seems like you are running here and running there, often much too fast, often never noticing the truly grand things in life.

Look down at me now, while you sit there at your computer. See the way my dark brown eyes look at yours? They are slightly cloudy now. That comes with age. The gray hairs are beginning to ring my soft muzzle. You smile at me; I see love in your eyes. What do you see in mine? Do you see a spirit? A soul inside, who loves you as no other could in the world? A spirit that would forgive all trespasses of prior wrong doing for just a simple moment of your time?

That is all I ask. To slow down, if even for a few minutes, to be with me. So many times you have been saddened by the words you read on that screen, of others of my kind, passing. Sometimes we die young and oh so quickly, sometimes so suddenly it wrenches your heart out of your throat. Sometimes, we age so slowly before your eyes that you may not even seem to know until the very end, when we look at you with grizzled muzzles and cataract clouded eyes. Still the love is always there, even when we must take that long sleep, to run free in a distant land.

I may not be here tomorrow; I may not be here next week. Someday you will shed the water from your eyes, that humans have when deep grief fills their souls, and you will be angry at yourself that you did not have just "one more day" with me.

Because I love you so, your sorrow touches my spirit and grieves me. We have now, together. So come, sit down here next to me on the floor, and look deep into my eyes. What do you see? If you look hard and deep enough we will talk, you and I, heart to heart. Come to me not as "alpha" or as "trainer" or even "Mom or Dad". Come to me as a living soul and stroke my fur and let us look deep into one another's eyes and talk. I may tell you something about the fun of chasing a tennis ball, or I may tell you something profound about myself, or even life in general. You decided to have me in your life because you wanted a soul to share such things with. Someone very different from you, and here I am."

Coal

Finn - IS Beauty

Coal To The Rescue

Happy Birthday Super Gia

Tantissimo Auguri!!!

Everyday's A Finn-Day

I Am Your Dog

"I'm your dog, and there's something I'd like to whisper to you in the ear; I know you humans lead a very busy life. Some work, others have children to raise.
You always seem to be running here and there, often without enjoying the pleasures of life.
Drop your head and look at me.
See how my big brown eyes fix you?
They're less and less clear, because of age.
I'm starting to have gray hair around my sweet snout...
You smile at me, I can see love in your eyes.
What do you see in mine? Do you see a soul? Who loves you like nobody else in this world? A Spirit that would forgive all your crimes to spend a few moments with you? That's all I ask; slow down a little, to spend a few minutes with me.
Very often, you seem sad by reading the announcement of the death of other members of my race on your screen.
Sometimes we die young and fast, and it breaks your heart.
Sometimes we get older so slowly you don't even seem to notice.
Despite our gray snout and possible cataracts, I will never cease to love you.
I may not be here tomorrow; I may not be here next week. One day you'll cry all the tears of your body, and you'll beg for just "one more day" with me.
But today I'm here.
So come sit with me and enjoy. What do you see? If you look carefully, we can talk to open heart.
Do not address me as a master, but simply as a living soul, caress my fur, let us look in the eyes, and talk.
I could tell you what's fun to run after a tennis ball.
You wanted me in your life because you wanted to have someone to share feelings, emotions and memories... and I'm here!
I'm a dog, but I'm a living being. I feel emotions, and I make a difference between personalities.
I don't see you as a "dog on two legs"
- I know what you are.
You're a human, and despite your weirds, I love you.
Now come lie down on the floor with me.
Enter my world, and let time slow down for 15 minutes.
Look me in the eyes, and whisper in my ears.
Talk to me with your heart, with your joy of living and I'll learn to know you for good. Life is too short.
So please... come sit with me, and share these precious moments that we have to live together."
I love you,
Your dog

Happy FinnDay

A Slightly Trimmed Finn

Woofstock - Paige 2

Paige Stock

Finn To The Finish

A Proper Mayor

(The Beachcomber)




Goliath, the gentle giant and 6-year-old Newfoundland therapy dog who has delighted islanders, seniors and Vashon Community Care residents, will run for unofficial mayor according to Jill Venturi, development manager of the Vashon Community Care Foundation.

On a fateful afternoon in Colorado, David Fuller decided to pick out a new best friend.

“I was fishing, and there was a sign that said there were Newfoundlands for sale,” he said. “When he was 8 weeks he flew into Denver to me. [He was] 18 pounds. Now he’s 170.”

Fuller realized that his new pal, which he soon aptly named for the dog’s size, was an obvious candidate for providing therapy due to Goliath’s natural tenderness, patience and affection.

“There wasn’t much training needed because the dog is just this way,” he said. “He’ll let you stand there and pet him all you want.” Fuller, who moved to the island with Goliath two years ago, added that the dog has many admirers who will go so far as to honk their horns if they see him from their cars. “He’s a very docile dog. He loves to swim. He’s strong in the water — it’s amazing how strong he is in the water.”

According to Monica Mann, life enrichment director for VCC, Goliath’s routine visits are a tremendous gift for both the residents and staff, and even the most shy among them can’t help but warm up to the dog.

“There are people out in the hallway waiting to get to him because they just love him,” she said. “He does treat different residents differently; he gets them.”

Goliath is certified by the American Kennel Club as an advanced therapy dog and is working on earning expert-level therapy credentials. With an affable howl, kind face and soft eyes, it’s no wonder that so many people have quickly taken to Goliath, though you may need to watch out for his slobber (polls have not suggested this will hurt his chances of election). The dog wears a bib around his neck with his name embroidered on it.

Mann said that Goliath provides wonderful comfort and attention to everyone who crosses his path and that she is certain he is responsible for improving the outlook of the center’s more detached residents.

“When they see Goliath and he comes to them, I don’t want to say they wake up, but they become more alert. It just suddenly starts something. It makes them happy, just to have this wonderful companion come to them — some of them don’t even always talk to their caregivers — but they just light up,” she said. “Part of our culture here at Vashon Community Care is that yes, this is a facility, but this is also people’s homes. We want it to be warm and homelike. It makes us more like a family than a facility in that way.”

Fuller and Goliath, who also stop by the Lutheran church on occasion to work alongside caregivers in the Adult Day Health program hosted there, originally began visiting VCC only one day a week. However, the dog’s appearance was such an eagerly anticipated event that they began coming on Mondays and Thursdays.

“We found that he was so popular that he didn’t have time to meet everyone,” said Mann.

According to Venturi, the number of volunteer hours logged at VCC last year were extraordinary, and Goliath’s time walking the halls, greeting patients and visiting rooms is a testament to the staff’s overall mission.

“It’s a huge part of what we’re doing here, welcoming the community and making programs like this available,” she said.

David Carleton, VCC community relations director, agrees. “A vote for Goliath means you’re voting for supporting VCC as a community and the residents living here,” he said.

Those interested in joining the race for Vashon’s unofficial mayor have until Friday, June 1, to declare.

Candidates must select an island nonprofit to fundraise for, submit a letter from the organization giving permission to fundraise and declare their run to the chamber and newspapers. Islanders vote for their favorite candidates: $1 is one vote. Winners are announced during Strawberry Festival. Visit vashonchamber.com for more information.

Raiging Paige

Sweet as can be.

The Unbearable Truth

“Dogs lives are short, too short, but you know that going in. You know the pain is coming, you’re going to lose a dog, and there’s going to be great anguish, so you live fully in the moment with her, never fail to share her joy or delight in her innocence, because you can’t support the illusion that a dog can be your lifelong companion. There’s such beauty in the hard honesty of that, in accepting and giving love while always aware that it comes with an unbearable price." (Dean Koontz, The Darkest Evening of the Year)

Too Coal

Like Father, Like Son

Finn

(Mississippi-Missouri Volcano of Love x Jenny Faundland)

Spring

Andrew

The First Time I Saw You, Andrew

May the blessed Mary of the Angels wrap you in her cloak of peace.

The Boys - Forever, For Always

When The Angels Fall

I float now aimlessly, without my compass to guide me, rightly or wrongly. My sense of direction is gone. Indeed, it never existed. I am left to my own feelings, thoughts, and desires. And I am afraid. For these have never existed in me.

Karazan Music of the Night (Andrew), May 25, 2005 - February 28, 2018.

My baby boy. My best friend. Be with your brother, in peace.

I loved you more than I could have ever shown. You were and always will be my perfect boy.