| The county fire department got the call from the | | | | breeds of today. |
| animal shelter that a dog was trapped in a storm | | | | It is thought that the extinct American Black Wolf |
| drain pipe. It took awhile but they finally | | | | might be an ancestor to the Newfoundland. In |
| succeeded in freeing the large black dog and she | | | | turn, the Newfoundland is an ancestor of the |
| was taken to the local shelter for care. They had | | | | present day Labrador and Chesapeake Bay |
| to completely shave her to get rid of all the mats. | | | | Retrievers, and the St. Bernard owes its coat to |
| She was obviously old and the days spent | | | | the Newfoundland. |
| trapped in the drain pipe had affected her health. | | | | Today's Newfoundland makes a great family pet. |
| Who would ever adopt such a creature? They | | | | Their keen sense of responsiblity makes them an |
| considered euthanizing her. But there was a | | | | excellent companion dog for children of any age. |
| shelter employee who would not give up on | | | | The Newfoundland is loyal, dignified, fun-loving and |
| finding this dog a home. | | | | soft-natured. They are also obedient, easygoing, |
| The shelter employee called her neighbor, who | | | | fairly inactive indoors, and will even adapt to |
| happened to know someone who was interested | | | | apartment living as long as they are taken on |
| in Newfoundland dogs. That is how Suzie ended up | | | | brisk walks every day. |
| at our home. | | | | Why such a sweet-tempered dog as Suzie ended |
| Sweetness is the hallmark of the Newfoundland | | | | up alone and abandoned we will never know. It's a |
| temperament, and Suzie was very sweet. They | | | | sad fact that dog and cat abandonement is |
| are also huge. Having Suzie lying across the family | | | | becoming more and more common in today's |
| room floor was like having a black bear in the | | | | world where we discard anything that is no longer |
| house. A male Newfoundland can weigh about 150 | | | | wanted. We need to educate people that it's |
| pounds. Suzie weighed in at 115 pounds. She ate | | | | better to take an unwanted dog or cat to a |
| as much as our other three dogs combined. Keep | | | | rescue or shelter than to drop them off in a field |
| that in mind if you ever think of bringing one | | | | or strange neighborhood. |
| home. | | | | Suzie was with us for a year, living a life of leisure |
| The history of the Newfoundland could trace back | | | | and comfort, before we had to euthanize her for |
| to about 4 AD. Indian graves dating to that time | | | | her own sake. Her age had caught up to her. She |
| have been found with skeletons of giant dogs. | | | | was in pain and it was the kind thing to do. It is |
| Whether those dogs were the ancestors of the | | | | never easy to say goodbye to a pet, but Suzie |
| Newfoundland dog is not verifiable, but it is known | | | | was so gentle and loving it was especially hard to |
| that the Newfoundland is one of the older dog | | | | say goodbye. She will always be missed. |