MY STORY
For those of you who are members of the Newfoundland Club of NSW you will know we care about all Newfoundland dogs – it’s not just about the show dog or the most obedient but it is all about the breed.
We have been quite lucky with the number of dogs that have been offered for rehoming or that have needed rescuing but the following story is really sad and unfortunately we could not help this dog, no matter how much we tried.
Imagine at around 8yrs of age just letting your Newfoundland out the back door knowing that you never wanted to open that door to him again! I can’t it breaks my heart.
We don’t actually know where this elder came from all we know is that that a local animal shelter had the dog, he had no microchip and he had been found in the bush. They said he looked as if he had been out for a while – not just his coat but his health too was failing – so much so that he was under a duty of care to their vet. NO-ONE apart from the club inquired about this dog despite him being on the site.
We kept in close contact with his carers – we offered our support and the hope of finding a family to love him. After a couple of months the news we all didn’t want to hear came along.
Our email read:
‘he arrived into care at the shelter as a stray without ID in late March and has been under vet care due to his emaciated condition and being unable to walk. His condition has been built up; however, he still has a long way to go and would benefit from being in a home that can support his extensive ongoing needs. He has been on limited exercise but is managing very short walks. He has not completed a behaviour assessment, and his behaviour around other dogs has not been explored given his medical limitations.
Medical concerns:
Please before you purchase your Newfoundland ensure you have your paperwork, make sure they have a microchip and please keep you microchip details up to date. Microchips have enforced in all States and Territories on 1st January 2012.
The breeder of this elder did not care enough to do this for the dog they breed
We have been quite lucky with the number of dogs that have been offered for rehoming or that have needed rescuing but the following story is really sad and unfortunately we could not help this dog, no matter how much we tried.
Imagine at around 8yrs of age just letting your Newfoundland out the back door knowing that you never wanted to open that door to him again! I can’t it breaks my heart.
We don’t actually know where this elder came from all we know is that that a local animal shelter had the dog, he had no microchip and he had been found in the bush. They said he looked as if he had been out for a while – not just his coat but his health too was failing – so much so that he was under a duty of care to their vet. NO-ONE apart from the club inquired about this dog despite him being on the site.
We kept in close contact with his carers – we offered our support and the hope of finding a family to love him. After a couple of months the news we all didn’t want to hear came along.
Our email read:
‘he arrived into care at the shelter as a stray without ID in late March and has been under vet care due to his emaciated condition and being unable to walk. His condition has been built up; however, he still has a long way to go and would benefit from being in a home that can support his extensive ongoing needs. He has been on limited exercise but is managing very short walks. He has not completed a behaviour assessment, and his behaviour around other dogs has not been explored given his medical limitations.
Medical concerns:
- Underweight – requires repeat blood tests, may be treatable.
- Masses x 3 – requires surgical excision, may/may not be treatable.
- Dental disease – treatable with a procedure
- Bilateral conjunctivitis – requires further diagnostics to explore Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye), likely requires lifelong treatment.
- Degenerative Joint Disease – requires life-long treatment.
- Urinary incontinence – requires further diagnostics (urine culture, prostate ultrasound), may/may not be treatable.
- Requires desex.
- Current weight: 46kg
- DOB unknown – currently aged 8yrs+
Please before you purchase your Newfoundland ensure you have your paperwork, make sure they have a microchip and please keep you microchip details up to date. Microchips have enforced in all States and Territories on 1st January 2012.
The breeder of this elder did not care enough to do this for the dog they breed
MAGGIE'S RESCUE
NEWF NEWS | ISSUE 2/2018
How Maggie met Denis and Lindy
Maggie came under the care of the Newfoundland Club of NSW as a rehome due to her family realising that they could no longer give her the care she needed. The club hopes that Maggie will soon enjoy her 5th Birthday with her furever family. The one thing I would like to acknowledge on behalf of the club is that her previous family did right for her. As soon as they realised the limitations of the care they could give versus the care she needed, they did not advertise her on Gumtree or free to a good home on any other social media page, but contacted the club. Rehomes or rescues all deserve to have a family with a home that is unconditional and this is the home that a breeder should always aim for but occasionally, for whatever reason, the family can no longer look after their Newfoundland and that truly is one reason why we should have specific clubs. Most registered breeders will insist that if a family finds themselves in a situation like Maggie’s family to first and foremost contact them to see if they can help e.g. they may know of people who are looking for a mature dog like Maggie rather than a puppy. However many dogs do end up on social media pages etc. and their family never really knows where they end up or what has happened to them - let alone finding out if the new family really knows how to look after a fully grown Newfoundland? Not knowing where to find a suitable home, Maggie’s family looked online and found an established breeder who also was a previous committee member and is now a life member of the Newfoundland Club of NSW. Her first response was to contact the president Sheila Roberts – thanks to Frances Wilson for helping with this! As the Secretary of the Club I made contact with the family to find out where Maggie was and what exactly we could offer. Maggie is a playful girl who loves her toys and adores spending time with her human family. This picture was taken by her first family and it really shows what a good girl she is and how much she enjoys playing with a football – and what a joy it is when she plays – you can see how agile she is.
Maggie came under the care of the Newfoundland Club of NSW as a rehome due to her family realising that they could no longer give her the care she needed. The club hopes that Maggie will soon enjoy her 5th Birthday with her furever family. The one thing I would like to acknowledge on behalf of the club is that her previous family did right for her. As soon as they realised the limitations of the care they could give versus the care she needed, they did not advertise her on Gumtree or free to a good home on any other social media page, but contacted the club. Rehomes or rescues all deserve to have a family with a home that is unconditional and this is the home that a breeder should always aim for but occasionally, for whatever reason, the family can no longer look after their Newfoundland and that truly is one reason why we should have specific clubs. Most registered breeders will insist that if a family finds themselves in a situation like Maggie’s family to first and foremost contact them to see if they can help e.g. they may know of people who are looking for a mature dog like Maggie rather than a puppy. However many dogs do end up on social media pages etc. and their family never really knows where they end up or what has happened to them - let alone finding out if the new family really knows how to look after a fully grown Newfoundland? Not knowing where to find a suitable home, Maggie’s family looked online and found an established breeder who also was a previous committee member and is now a life member of the Newfoundland Club of NSW. Her first response was to contact the president Sheila Roberts – thanks to Frances Wilson for helping with this! As the Secretary of the Club I made contact with the family to find out where Maggie was and what exactly we could offer. Maggie is a playful girl who loves her toys and adores spending time with her human family. This picture was taken by her first family and it really shows what a good girl she is and how much she enjoys playing with a football – and what a joy it is when she plays – you can see how agile she is.
Maggie is a very gentle natured girl who accepted me very freely and was only too happy to jump into the back of the van and travel all the way to meet Denis and Lindy Burke.
Maggie before grooming
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Maggie after grooming
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Her coat needed some work so Denis and Lindy Burke booked her in and offered their expert skills developed over the years of caring for Newfoundlands - their own beloved dogs as well as a few others along the way. Maggie has been staying and enjoying the comforts offered by Denis & Lindy. I hope you will join me in agreeing that they have done a splendid job of caring for Maggie and her coat. Her diet did not agree with her so she now enjoys mince, fruit, veggies and yoghurt along with a new dry kibble which was given freely by Denis and Lindy. A trip to the vet updated her vaccinations and ensured that she was heartworm free. She did have an ear infection and a hotspot – both treated by the vet and she is responding well. The Newfoundland Club of NSW has devoted members who annually donate money to the group and its rescue which allows the club to support and rehome dogs like Maggie or dogs that are found wandering the streets or that find themselves surrendered to the pound. Maggie already has a new family waiting for her but the club is always looking for members who know of families willing to offer a home to a rehomed or rescued Newfoundland, or who are prepared to pick up dogs on behalf of the club or even foster a dog until they are ready to go to their new family.
The Club has had no rescue or rehomes for over 2 years now but Maggie is the second Newfoundland in the last couple of months so we really don’t know when where or how these dogs will get to us but they all deserve a ‘Furever Home’. I hope you will enjoy the pictures that Dennis & Lindy have taken of Maggie – she is such a sweet girl and simply just adorable.
Happy Maggie with Denis and Lindy
I know her new family, found with the help of Sue Berry in QLD, will love her dearly but it was still so emotional going back and seeing her getting ready for the move. Of course the club will continue to follow Maggie on her journey and like all the Newfoundlands that come into the care of the club we will take them back should the need arise. The club would also like to acknowledge Dogs Movers for providing all rescue groups with reduced rate for transportation as they know how important it is to get all rescue / rehomed dogs to the right family.
Dog Movers took Maggie to her new family. The really nice gentleman called Trevor cares for all the dogs on the way so Maggie wanted to make sure we thanked them for taking her to her new family.
Database of Volunteers: We are trying to establish a database of volunteers, so if you are interested in helping the Newfoundland Rescue with the logistics involved in rehoming, please contact Club Secretary Sue Frew. Mobile: 0439523040 This could include picking up a dog, being a temporary foster or even a permanent forever home.
Database of Volunteers: We are trying to establish a database of volunteers, so if you are interested in helping the Newfoundland Rescue with the logistics involved in rehoming, please contact Club Secretary Sue Frew. Mobile: 0439523040 This could include picking up a dog, being a temporary foster or even a permanent forever home.