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Topics - Newly Newfed

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1
We had our annual Water Safety Festival here in Berks County and New-Pen-Del Newfoundland Club gave a demonstration on the water rescue training.  I helped with one of the demonstrations - having a Newf named Diesel pull a boat in.  I didn't even know the pic was there and people in class started asking if it was me in the paper.  One of my instructors had the paper and showed it to me then.  Of course my MIL cut the article out and is saving it.  LOL!

I had offered to have Sierra demonstrate something, but she is only in her Junior level training and those spots were already filled.  Oh well, she can probably do it next year.  She's already as good as the dogs who have been training for months.  She'll be ready next year. ;D

http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=143085

2
Apparently in my house, it takes a minimum of three. 

Cody is terrified of any type of grooming tool.  Nail clippers, brushes, scissors...you name it he's terrified of it.

We wanted to trim the hair on his belly because when he goes to the bathroom he ends up peeing on it and it gets gross and crusty.  Well, I'm ashamed to admit that to trim a 4x4 inch area on his belly, it took 15 minutes and Jeff and Kelsey to hold him and me to trim and help hold him still.  I was going to do the whole shebang and clip the hair around his feet and his toenails but he made it clear that was NOT going to happen.  He flipped out and head butted Jeff in the lip and Kelsey ended up with a nasty scratch on her neck and I gave up because I was afraid I was going to cut him by accident.

We trimmed Sierra next and she doesn't like the scissors either.  Thank goodness she'll let you do whatever you want to her as long as someone is rubbing her belly.  It's like she goes into a trance or something  :D  I was able to trim all four paws, both ears and clip her nails in less than 20 minutes.

And yet the 8 lb dog kicked our butts.  ???

3
I have been having issues with Jeff's kids and ex-wife since Sunday.  It's never been this bad...I can't bring myself to even be in the same room as the girls.  It's to the point where I don't want them here anymore.  They obviously hate me.  I want them to go live with their precious mother.  They don't care who they hurt, just as long as their mother isn't hurt.  They haven't spoken to me since Sunday and I haven't spoken to them. Until this morning I was driving Kelsey, the 12 yr old, to school and tried to talk and work things out.  Let's just say it didn't go well as I had hoped.  I was in tears yet again by the end of the 10 minute drive and she couldn't care less that I was hurt and she blamed everything on me.  Even though the conversation brought up proof that her mother lied about her to me and Jeff, she still believes I am to blame for all of our problems.  She was perfectly fine with her mother lying and putting the blame on her and making her look bad to me and Jeff.

I calmed down on my way home and I was sitting on the couch just watching Sierra and Cody play and thinking about how things got so out of control and how I am going to be able to live in the same house as these girls that hate me.  Before I could stop myself, I just burst into tears again.

That's when my sweet, wonderful dog proved to me how much she loves me.  As soon as Sierra heard me sobbing, she stopped playing, climbed up on the couch, laid her head in my lap and looked up at me as if she was checking to see if her attempts to comfort me were working.  I could tell she was in an uncomfortable position.  Her back leg was down between the cushions and she kept fidgeting.  She sat up a few times and I thought she was going to leave, but she just licked the tears off of my face and laid right back down in that uncomfortable position.  She stayed with me and kept her head on my lap until I finally stopped crying and then she looked up as if to make sure I was ok, and then went back to playing with Cody.  Ever since, she has refused to let me walk around the house un-escorted.  Where ever I am in the house she just follows me and lays down and watches me.  I guess she wants to make sure she's there in case I break down again.  LOL.

Sometmes her intiuition, or senses or whatever it is, amazes me.  She knew just when I needed some comfort from her and she gave everything she had to offer.  I didn't think it was possible, but I fell in love my dog just a little bit more today.

Maniac Cody, of course, just jumped in my lap and kept waving his paws at my face and trying to nip my fingers, and just succeeded in annoying the he#$ out of me.

4
Can anyone give me ideas on how to keep them on the dog??

Poor Cece absolutely hates wearing them and pulls them off of herself in two seconds flat.  But the majority of our house is carpeted and I hate scrubbing drip marks out of the carpets just because she acts like a spoiled little princess and decides she doesn't want to wear her panties.

I know some of you gave me ideas during her first heat, but that was so long ago and I can't find the thread now.

5
General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Sierra is 2 years old today!!
« on: January 24, 2009, 02:40:35 am »
She is going to Petsmart this afternoon to pick out some new toys and treats, and I have made a little cake for her.  Pictures to follow!

I can't believe we've had her for two years already!  It doesn't seem that long ago that she was just a little 20 lb ball of fuzz that pooped all over Jeff's truck when we brought her home for the first time.  LOL!

I love her so much, she makes every day brighter and happier for me.  I'm so blessed to have her.

6
General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Sierra the hairless Newf
« on: January 10, 2009, 01:42:13 am »
OK, maybe she's not hairless, but she has less hair than she should!  For the first time in a long time, I have been able to sit and spend some time catching up on the BPO site and looking at all of the recent pictures everyone has put up of their kiddos.  I'm so jealous of all of the beautiful shaggy newfies who actually have the coat they are supposed to have.  LOL!

Sierra's itching seems to be under control now.  THANK GOD!!  I don't exactly know what we did different, but she doesn't itch any more than any other dog.  Now that she is not miserable and suffering anymore, my focus has shifted to the fact that her hair is not growing back!  The last time she was clipped down for a skin treatment was in August and she was clipped REALLY short, only about 1/4 an inch.  It started to grow back quickly, but now it seems to have stopped growing.  It's only about 1 1/2 inches long. 

No don't get me wrong, I still think she's the bestest Newfie that has ever existed and I wouldn't trade her for the world.  To me, my dog represents all that is good, sweet and joyful in this world.  But when I look at all of the fluffy beautiful Newfies on this site, I can't help but wish MY Newfie had a coat like that too.    :-\

7
Anything Non-Dog Related / Vacation Spots?
« on: December 27, 2008, 11:59:55 am »
So my friend wants to go on a road trip before I get married.  We don't want to drive more than 15 or 20 hours to get to our destination.

Anyone have any interesting destinations within 20 hours drive from PA?

8
OK, so the breeder I've been talking with has sent me a copy of her purchase and Co-Owner agreements and after studying them, Jeff and I have decided that everything is to the point and completely fair.  The co-owner agreement basically states that she wants to make sure if she is selling me a top pick puppy, she wants to make sure it is shown to the best of it's potential and bred to ensure every effort is made to improve the breed.  Fair enough.  That's what I'm getting into this for anyway.

So I'm getting another Newf!!  I'm so excited!!Unfortunately, I need to wait until she breeds in the spring.  She has a 3 week old male she has offered to me, but I'm going to practice a little common sense and decline this pup.  Due to the fact everything happened so much faster than I expected and also the price of the pup, it is best that I wait.  If I'm going to take the plunge and do this, I'm going to do it right and make sure I'm ready.

And of course, I'm going to do my best to give everyone puppy fever by posting lots of pics of the little bugger.

9
Newfoundland Discussions / Maybe getting another Newf puppy...
« on: December 19, 2008, 11:43:07 am »
Maybe not anytime soon, but probably by summer next year.  I have finally found a breeder that I would like to buy from.  She is a very friendly, down to earth woman with stunning dogs.  I find her very easy to talk to and she seems genuinely interested in me and Sierra.  She has even talked to her vet about Sierra's skin issues to see if she could provide any info that may help resolve it.  I was pretty impressed by that.  Apparently I have passed her application process and she has deemed me worthy to care for one of her pups.  She emailed me today and asked if I would be willing to co-own a male puppy that is currently two weeks old.  I don't think I will take this pup, only because I did not intend to get a puppy this quickly, I'm not ready yet.  She is planning two more litters in Spring 2009, so maybe one of those!

Regarding the co-ownership, on one hand, I kind of feel that if I am paying for the puppy, which has quite a hefty price tag, doing all of the training, footing the vet bills, etc, I want to be the one to make the decisions regarding that dog.  However, deep down, I think that line of thinking is me just being a brat.  What can I say?  I'm an Aries and I'm the youngest of my siblings.  Being a brat comes naturally to me!  ;D

The logical line of thinking goes like this:  From what I've heard/read about co-ownership, it is a benefit for the breeder.  However, as long as the contract is fair, I could get quite a lot out of it too.  Brattiness aside, when I think about it, footing the bill for the puppy isn't really an issue, because I'd have to anyway.  But the thought of having an established breeder to turn to, who has proven experience in the ring is a great thing.  Especially since I'm re-entering the sport of dog shows after 20 years.

I thought I was going to have to fight to get a puppy since I'm not established yet, and I never expected to be accepted so quickly.  So when she offered her pups to me, I got scared and started to panic that I was going to screw up something crucial and ruin the pups chance for showing.  As soon as she mentioned co-owning, that fear was suddenly alleviated.  It's actually kind of comforting to know I'll have her to learn from.

ANYWAY, if you are still reading this rambling  :D, has anyone had any experience with co-owning?  And was it good or bad?

10
General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Pet Health Insurance
« on: December 16, 2008, 05:15:43 am »
I am looking into pet health insurance.  With Cody breaking his leg and Sierra's never ending skin issues, it feels like we are personally financing our vet's next vacation!  :)

Does anyone else have pet health insurance?  I would appreciate any feedback, or if you recommend any particular plan.

11
I have decided that I want Sierra to be the flower girl along with the human flower girl we have chosen.  Sierra will look so pretty with a collar of white flowers and ribbons and, to catch the drool, a white bib that says "flower girl" in the same color as my maids' dresses.

The big question - how do I convince Jeff to agree to this?  And will a church allow it???

12
General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / teaching "hold"
« on: December 08, 2008, 11:55:15 am »
I am training Sierra for her water test.  She wasn't ready for the test this past September, so I am aiming for next year's test.

One of the things she just can't seem to learn is to hold an item in her mouth, like a rope or a bumper, until I ask her to give it back to me.  I was thinking of taking a piece of rope and smearing it with something yummy, like bacon grease or peanut butter, so that she wants to take it in her mouth.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for teaching her this?

13
Newfoundland Pictures / Sierra in the leaves
« on: November 11, 2008, 08:08:48 am »
Sierra and I were playing outside and she plopped down in a pile of leaves.  She looked so good against the yellow leaves, I had to take these pictures...










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Articles / Article pertaining to Michael Vick dogs...
« on: October 28, 2008, 10:55:39 am »
Thought you might be interested in this article.  It's about time someone steps up and does something to try to better society's view of pit bulls, even if it is a small step.  But small steps lead to bigger steps right?


http://blogs.roanoke.com/rtblogs/thehappywag/2008/10/24/raise-a-glass-to-vicktory/

15
Sierra let herself in the house yesterday and we didn't realize, so the back door was standing open for who knows how long and the cats got out.  Oscar, Thank God, chickened out and didn't go off the deck before he came back in, but Gina is still out there.  She's so scared she won't come near us.  We saw her hanging around the house a little last night, and we almost were successful in coaxing her into the house once, but the last we saw her was around 11:30.  She went into some underbrush and disappeared.

Gina was a stray when I rescued her off the streets, so I know she normally would be able to take care of herself, but she now had no front claws and when I think about how she can't hunt for food or defend herself or even climb a tree to safety, I get sick to my stomach.  Oscar and Gina are the first cats I've had declawed.  I have learned my lesson.  I will NEVER do it again.  I put food out for her but it hasn't been touched.  We have an outside cat, Angel, that is territorial and she'll chase Gina away before she has a chance to even get near the house.  We locked Angel in the shed last night, but we can't keep her in there forever.  I just have this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that Gina isn't coming back and it's killing me because I know that if she doesn't come back, it's because she couldn't survive with no claws.  And it will be my fault for having them removed.  I just feel terrible.  She's been spoiled and pampered for the last three years and now she suddenly spent the night outside in a strange place with strange sounds and to make things worse, it's raining.  She probably cold, wet, hungry and miserable.  Never mind being absolutey terrified.

You know when you have a pet, you kind of take it for granted when they are young and healthy and you don't really think about the fact that age and health doesn't guarantee you'll have a lot of time with them.  I mean, Sierra is only a year and a half old, but what if I leave the window open in the car just a tad too much and she jumps out?  Or, what if she has an allergic reaction to bees that we never knew about until she gets stung and it's too late? That happened to someone I knew with their Husky.  Right now I feel like I'm never going to let Sierra out of my sight.  oh God, I don't know if I could bear it if something were to happen to her.

Please pray that Gina gets back safely.  I'm worried sick and I've been crying all last night and started again as soon as I woke up this morning.

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