For Your Birthday

"Though we need to weep your loss, You dwell in that safe place in our hearts, Where no storm or night or pain can reach you.

Your love was like the dawn. Brightening over our lives. Awakening beneath the dark, A further adventure of colour.

The sound of your voice, Found for us A new music, That brightened everything.

Whatever you enfolded in your gaze Quickened in the joy of its being; You placed smiles like flowers On the altar of the heart. Your mind always sparkled, With wonder at things.

Though your days here were brief, Your spirit was live, awake, complete.

We look towards each other no longer. From the old distance of our names; Now you dwell inside the rhythm of breath, As close to us as we are to ourselves.

Though we cannot see you with outward eyes, We know our soul's gaze is upon your face, Smiling back at us from within everything, To which we bring our best refinement.

Let us not look for you only in memory, Where we would grow lonely without you. You would want us to find you in presence, Beside us when beauty brightens, When kindness glows, And music echoes eternal tones.

When orchids brighten the earth, Darkest winter has turned to spring; May this dark grief flower with hope In every heart that loves you.

May you continue to inspire us: To enter each day with a generous heart. To serve the call of courage and love Until we see your beautiful face again In that land where there is no more separation, Where all tears will be wiped from our mind, And where we will never lose you again."

Happy Birthday Henry

Happy third birthday, baby boy. Forever, for always.

Meet the “Newfoundland” - A Strong, Noble and Protective Rescue Dog

(The Costa Rica News)

"Newfoundland dogs originate from the island of Newfoundland, Canada. During the 18th and 19th centuries, this huge, intimidating-looking dog, with its thick double coat, large lung capacity, and webbed feet that benefit its ability to swim, were frequent companions to fishermen on Canada’s east coast. Its previous origin and development is not entirely clear, but it is believed that it comes from the extinct San Juan spaniel, from whom Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers also originated, so the three breeds would have this ancestor in common. This is what they believe in Canada, in fact, where there is a sculpture in homage to the San Juan spaniel that brings together the breeds that were created through it.

There is a color variation in the Newfoundland, bicolor black and white, which has another name: Landseer, named after the English painter Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, and although it comes directly from the Newfoundland, the breed is registered as native to Germany and Switzerland. There is no general consensus among international breed registry associations or kennel clubs with some considering it only a color variant of the Newfoundland and others recognizing it as a separate breed with its own individual standard.

This may change over time in light of studies, such as this one, which, after analyzing digitized historical newspapers, indicate that solid colored coats such as black and brown were introduced to the Newfoundland dog population in the mid-nineteenth century. Until then, it is presumed, according to the results of the study, that the original Newfoundland dogs were black and white just like the Landseer.

Be that as it may, the Newfoundland dog had so much sympathy since before 1775, the first time its name appeared in official writing as a breed, that even the Beothuk Native American population, settled on the island of Newfoundland and whose last member of the tribe passed away in the nineteenth century, they had a cultural and religious myth based on what is believed to have already been Newfoundlands, judging by the description of the dog in the legend.

The Newfoundland, as a giant breed, has a slow physical development, and the growth plates do not finish fusing until approximately 24 months or two years. This implies that physical exercises, which must be low-impact, must be adapted to the vulnerable growing anatomy until complete ossification, to avoid bone malformations. Breeders, experts and people who live with Newfoundland dogs define them as very kind and self-confident animals, adaptable to practically any environment and tolerant of small children and coexistence with other animals. It is an easy-to-train dog that loves water sports activities. Due to its size and enormous physical strength, it requires a basic education to avoid behavioral problems."

That Dog on the Postage Stamp: Courage, Docility, and Faithfulness are Characteristics of the Newfoundland Dog

(Edwin H. Morris - 1925)

"It is a peculiar thing that technical dog writers have discovered very little about the ancestry of the Newfoundland. Naturally, those interested in the breed have always been curious about the forebears of this noble animal. Also they are always desirous of knowing what blood lines are calculated to produce specimens up to standard requirements, maintaining at the same time the brains, courage, docility, fondness for water and retrieving, devotion to children, and implicit faithfulness that have made the traditional Newfoundland

The neglect of this handsome and noble animal is so unjustified that I have undertaken to gather data.

The Newfoundland and also the Labrador dog, sometimes called the smooth coated retriever, were both derived from a cross between the Pyrenees sheepdogs, brought to Newfoundland from France by Biscaly fishermen between 1506 and 1662 and also later, and black retrievers accompanying the English colonists.

In 1506, Jean Denys of Harfleur, France, visited the island, establishing a base, and leaving boats and barks in the haven called Rougnoust. Other expeditions followed, but not until 1662 did the French winter on the island. They settled at Rougnoust, near St. Jean de Luz and in Placentia Bay. Jean Denys probably reported that the waters were not only abundantly stocked with fish, but that on land were a goodly number of wolves and other animals. Hence, not as mascots alone, but for protection were the creamy white sheepdogs of the Pyrenees brought over from France.

These dogs were moderately large, active and faithful, with a cautious, dignified deportment, and flat coats, coarse with woolly undercoats, capable of resisting the rigorous climate of the Pyrenees. They had deep flews, affording plenty of space for olfactory nerves which gave them good noses. And they had eyes of almost human pathos, deep, small, and searching. When the English colonists went to Newfoundland to stay, they brought such sporting dogs as were in vogue in their native land. Probably these were curly-coated retrievers, black dogs of medium size. The dogs had long muzzles, were inclined to be hard-headed and hard-mouthed, made good dogs for water or land retrieving, and were alert and intelligent. The French fisherman’s favorite became crossed with the English sportsman’s companion, and from this was evolved the greater Newfoundland Landseer, the Labrador or smooth_coated retriever, probably the Chesapeake Bay dog, and later on the greater was crossed with Alpine dogs, producing the modern St. Bernard.In spite of all that has been said to the contrary, that branch of the greater, called Landseers, was strictly of this origin. When Sir Edwin Landseer painted his picture, representing a black and white dog on a raft with a child it had saved from drowning, and called it 'A Member of the Humane Society,' he accurately depicted the type of dog that came from Newfoundland.

Sir Edwin faithfully portrayed animal life in the early Victorian era, about 1837, and his brother made the engraving from which Sir Edwin’s popularity came. To distinguish the black and white dogs from the blacks, which afterwards developed, the former were called Landseers. It is asserted that in order to produce Landseers a cross with the St. Bernards or dogs from the hospice at the Alpine pass was resorted to, although this might have been done to supply the demand for dogs of such color. There is a Landseer painting of 'Two Dog'" a black and white Newfoundland and another like a collie, which was exhibited at the South Kensington Museum, London, in 1858.

Robert Burns, too, when he wrote 'Two Dogs,' must have had an idea of something superior in the breed, for his words are: 'His lockit, letter’d, brawbrass collar, Show’d him the gentlemenand scholar.' And it must be remembered that the comparison was with a Scottish dog. In order to make the point quite clear, it is well to state that, about 40 years ago, white dogs, as well as black and white, and some almost black were sent from Newfoundland to the North American continent. It is difficult to get evidence, yet one instance may be cited because it can be confirmed by pictures and by descendants of the owner. About 36 years ago, Augustus McClain bought a creamy white dog with a pedigree as a Newfoundland whelped on the island. Mr. McClain’s son married a daughter of W. H. Harmon who kept the dog while the young folks went on a trip abroad.On the death of this dog, another white dog with a yellow spot on one side was procured. This can be confirmed by Samuel J. Harmon of the United States Trust Company. Such evidence should be conclusive that the importations into the United States and England from Newfoundland were the white and black dogs now known as Landseers.

Later on blacks were landed in England from the codfish vessels, and with the English breeder’s eye for type, the best were mated. Their progeny favored the Pyrenees sheepdog and had the characteristics and instincts of such dogs. Finally, this type was adopted for exhibitions, and although many showed much white on the chest, tail, and sometimes on the paws, yet by selection and careful breeding this was greatly overcome. Some also came curly in coat, indicating an undue proportion of retriever blood. But this, too, disappeared, and none but those with dense, woolly undercoats, were favored.The English mastiff was popular at that time, Alpine dogs were making a display, and Leonbergs-Alpines crossed with Newfoundlands were being pushed. The Newfoundland retained an amazing hold on public appreciation, and it was contended that it was the only dog capable of magnanimity.

The Rev. F.O. Morris was responsible for a story of a mastiff and Newfoundland that frequently fought, until one day a duel was in progress on a pier and both dogs fell into the water. The Newfoundland soon reached shore, shook the water from his coat, and looked for his antagonist. Seeing the mastiff hardly able to keep afloat, the Newfoundland again plunged into the water and helped his enemy to land. After which the dogs became friendly and the battles ceased.

Then came the Illustrated London News offer, in 1914, of a prize for a dog that had displayed the greatest valor. This prize was won by Miss Mabel Hewitt’s Landseer Newfoundland, Donovan Dorova, "for having saved from drowning in a river Willie Frampton and for other meritorious feats." Numerous other well authenticated instances could be mentioned where sagacity, instinct, and other traits have been displayed by Newfoundlands.One remarkable case in December, 1919 will suffice. The steamship 'Ethie,' with 92 passengers and crew, one being a baby of 18 months, was stranded on the coast of Newfoundland at Martin’s Point, Bonny Bay. The sea was too rough for lifeboats, and attempts to shoot a line through the air having failed, one of the fishermen’s dogs was called upon. With a rope in his mouth, he braved the breakers and rocks, and brought the line ashore. The dog’s master, with his hardy comrades, all seafaring men, contrived, with a boatswain’s chair for a carrier and block and tackle for drawing in the line, to rescue, one by one, the passengers and crew. The baby had the special protection of a mail bag, into which the child was dropped. What other dog has the brains, courage, instinct, vigor and water-resisting coat to enable him to perform such a heroic act?

Tradition and print for many decades have abounded with records of the deeds of Newfoundlands. Their instinct for water and retrieving gives the breed an immense advantage over all other canines. It is this that makes them logically the dog for the long waterfront of sea, river, and lake of North America. When the best of the breed in England were poisoned by a crank during the World’s War, when it was recognized that few of the true type exist in Newfoundland, and when it was found that the New York show of 1922 had but one entry of Newfoundlands in the miscellaneous class, a few lovers of the breed, who knew its sterling merit, decided on an effort to make the most of the remnants remaining and to revivify interest in them.These lovers of the breed formed the North American Newfoundland Club. And from this modest strata there has arisen an organization for the welfare of the breed, the like of which has never before existed in England or North America. The new club adopted a standard of perfection and a scale of points, with cuts for defects. Also at the 1924 Westminster show, it gave the largest special prize in gold offered for any breed, besides nearly $250 in cash, and other specials, in five classes were secured. England had some concerned action through a club, but during the war, when most of the superior specimens were in the kennel of Miss Elanor Goodall, a crank poisoned the lot, supposedly because he thought they were eating food needed for soldiers. This crank, presumably, was also the cause of the death of their owner, for she died soon afterwards, and, it was said, from grief. Miss Goodall used the "Gypsy" prefix. Ch. Gypsy Baron was one of her best. The Gypsy strain being practically wiped out by the poisoner, and as few large dogs were raised in England during the war, those in the British Isles were mostly inbred to the limit.

Therefore, the ones kept true to type by a few devotees in North America must be relied on to revive the breed. Among these are Ch. Chieftain, imported by the president of the club, Dr. M.J. Fenton, one given by Earl Grey to Dr. Grenfall of Newfoundland a few years ago; another from England presented to Mr. Bowring, also of Newfoundland, about six years since, whose blood was used by H. Macpherson, the club’s vice-president for the colony; and others of Shelton Viking stock that I brought over just prior to the war, particularly Sir Arthur, of Ch. Fearless Foundation, Ch. Prince of Norfolk, and Humber Snowflake stock. The latter was transferred to J. Mathieson Rankine, and when bred to Lady Hilda with such noted dogs as Omega, Alpha, Shelton Viking, Shelton Madge, and Fearless Emblem in her pedigree, produced Lady Beckey, dam of Ch. Rolfe. Another was the dam of Tip, owned by J. H. Clark, the club’s treasurer, who used his imported dog, Captain.The pair, Sir Arthur and Lady Hilda, were imported when young, not only for the blood line combination, but also because their direct ancestors were subject to desirable association with humans. Raising them under similar conditions on Mr. Rankine’s place, had the desired effect. A little girl visitor, who made companions of them, went across fields and getting tired, went to sleep. When missed, she was found with Lady Hilda as a pillow and Sir Arthur on guard, and not until awakened and on her feet, did Mr. Rankine dare approach. Newfoundlands want to be loved by everyone, particularly by those they know. They respond to approbation, take disapproval intelligently, are quick to learn and remember, and will readily obey. They are not dour or taciturn, but coercion is not liked. While with their friends, a stranger may manifest his individual taste, but a rough word or the slightest act of aggression brings a warning growl, then a show of teeth and on command, they will attack with a ruthless daring. It is fortunate, especially during such lawless periods as present, that these qualities have not been blotted out.

They are comrades of their owners in full sense, or of those they know well, and friendly to strangers when not on guard. They can distinguish between an intruder and a visitor by deportment as well as dress: also, they love children. In one respect, the Newfoundland is positively preeminent. He is the only dog that has his picture on a postage stamp. Today, (as of this writing in 1925) this stamp is exceptionally rare."

Meet The Newfoundland Dogs Watching Over Beachgoers In Maine

(smithsonianmag.com) "A state park in Maine is welcoming a new lifeguard to its roster this summer. But unlike his fellow employees, the park’s newest hire doesn’t need to wear sunscreen—or a swimsuit, for that matter. Meet Buoy, an 11-month-old Newfoundland hired to help keep swimmers safe at Scarborough Beach State Park in southwest Maine. Now that he’s officially on the payroll for the summer, he’ll follow human lifeguards into the Atlantic Ocean whenever there’s an emergency. It’s his job to help tug both guards and victims to safety.

Buoy is the park’s second canine lifeguard on duty. Last summer, the park, which is situated about ten miles south of Portland, hired its first dog to help patrol the beach: a Newfoundland named Beacon, who is now 2 years old. According to WGME’s Alison Murtagh, the two talented pups are the only ocean lifeguard dogs in the nation. The park’s leaders hope Buoy and Beacon will set an example for other beaches and communities.

“People respect them,” Greg Wilfert, the park’s manager, tells WGME. “They come up and ask if they can pat them and we let them, and they're very affectionate dogs.” So far, the dogs are serving as “second responders.” When someone in the water needs help, a first responder—a human lifeguard—springs into action. Then, a second human lifeguard and one of the dogs follow close behind with a piece of floating rescue equipment. After the human lifeguards get the victim onto the device, the dog helps pull the entire group back to the beach.

The dogs are so strong that they can easily pull three or four people to shore, as Wilfert told News Center Maine’s Jackie Mundry last year. “They can tow a boat—they're very strong swimmers," he added.

The dogs are training with the American Academy of Canine Water Rescue, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that helps water-loving dog breeds, like Newfoundlands and Labrador retrievers, enhance their natural instincts to rescue people. Trainers with the academy have been certified by the Italian School of Rescue Dogs (SICS), a longstanding organization that’s been training nautical rescue dogs and their human handlers in Italy for more than 30 years.

Rescue dogs are a common sight on Italy’s beaches—and they even learn how to leap out of helicopters to save lives, per the organization’s website. Around 300 SICS dogs and their human handlers patrol roughly 30 Italian beaches, reported CNN’s Nicola Ruotolo and Amy Woodyatt in 2021. Three SICS dogs—Eros, Mya and Mira—made headlines that year when they helped bring a group of 14 swimmers safely to shore amid high winds at a beach in Sperlonga.

In Maine, where beachgoers are still getting used to the idea, rescue dogs are “just another tool to use with the lifeguards,” as Wilfert told the Portland Press Herald in 2021."

Father's Day

I never had the chance to say “farewell” to my father on his final day. There were no signs, there was no pain, save for the anguish that is mine each day. If only I knew his day had come, I’d have been by his side to show my deep love. My best friend was leaving, my nightmare had come; for the rest of my life, no longer a son. What words could have shown the depth of my love, or the courage I lacked to exist on my own? The days now are empty, as my soul sits alone, by the stone that marks him in a world dark and cold. My fear never leaves me, my dependence so strong, on the father I lived for, now forever gone. So on each solemn Sunday, as on this Father’s Day, I visit him resting in his eternal bed. I speak to him softly, then I bid him farewell, with the tears of my sorrow, and the words never said. (Stephen Sayad)

Canadian Government Recognizes Newfoundland Dog For Cultural Significance

Executive Council (May 25, 2023)

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes the Newfoundland dog and the Labrador Retriever as originating in Newfoundland and Labrador, and as an essential part of Newfoundland and Labrador’s historical and cultural heritage.

Both the Newfoundland dog and Labrador Retriever have existed in this province for many years. The Maritime Archaic had dogs as discovered in graves at Port au Choix by Professor James Tuck and carbon dated around four thousand years ago. The first mention of dogs to the province in historical documents is known as early as 1620. Newfoundland dogs are considered the best for their water rescuing abilities and are used around the world. The dog is a symbol of our province and the subject of many stories and legends based on the breed’s bravery and loyalty. Originally, Newfoundland dogs and Labrador Retrievers hauled fishing nets to shore and then pulled the day’s catch to market by cart.

The Labrador Retriever is among the top breeds that work as service, rescue and therapy dogs. The breed is also successful in scent detection work, including the ability to detect health issues in humans. Known for being even tempered and gentle, they have long been the number one in breed registrations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

Quotes “There are four breeds currently recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club as uniquely Canadian: the Newfoundland dog, the Labrador Retriever, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, and the Canadian Inuit Dog. Today, our government recognizes not only the cultural significance of the Newfoundland dog and the Labrador Retriever, but we also recognize them as originating in Newfoundland and Labrador.” Honourable Siobhan Coady Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance

“Recognition of these breeds is important, not only for those who value the broader social and cultural history of Newfoundland and Labrador, but for those, in particular, who cherish the two dog breeds so integral to the settlement and development of our province. Over the many years I have researched the history of the Labrador Retriever and Newfoundland dog, I have been struck not only by how important a part these dogs played in helping our ancestors survive, but by how our breeds reflect the virtues which we as a culture value: hard work, devotion to family, generosity of spirit. Like our people, our dogs are ‘salt of the earth’, always ready for a bit of fun, strong in defense of the people and places they love. There is nothing false or superficial about either our people or our dogs. What you see is what you get! Little wonder these dogs are so popular and beloved throughout the world. They are our gift to the world, but they are ours!” (Michael J Woods, PhD)