A couple of years ago I was looking to get another dog. I specifically wanted a Newfoundland after reading about them and having owned a mix. Their temperament seemed perfect. I searched several rescue sites and of course, Newfies are scarce. So I signed up to be notified if any dogs came in matching my search.
In the meantime, we found a Newfie pup and took the plunge with Barnabas. We were a happy family again, though the puppy challenge was a bit much.
Fast-forward nearly a year and a half. I get an email saying that there is a match for my search. By this time, I had forgotten I had even done the search or put in the notification request. But it turned out there was a five-year-old Newfie mix they said. A few times I have had messages about a Newfie mix and upon clicking to see, come face to face with some type of poodle-cocker-lab-pit bull mutant. Please do not take offense if this is the type of dog you have or love. However, it looks nothing like the “Newfie” that was advertised.
I get this new notification, and I click, wondering what kind of mixed up mutt type dog I’m going to see. Lo and behold, there is a Landseer Newfoundland staring out of the screen at me. I think, how wonderful, but we have one Newfie. One is enough, right? I mentioned it to my husband and he was of the same opinion.
The next day I get this feeling like I gotta get that dog! I jumped online and sent an inquiry. A few days later, we are contacted. Would we like to come to do a meet and greet? I asked my husband, and he said, I guess. I said, if Barnabas doesn’t like him, or we see any problems, I’m ok with walking away. This was some sort of whim that came out of nowhere. I’m quite happy with my one Newfie. So we scheduled the visit.
Ace shaved
When we arrived, they took us in the room, just the humans first, and brought the dog in. His name was Ace. They had shaved him because he was matted. He ignored us. He picked up a ball and climbed up on the couch. He was huge! Our pup was almost done growing at 130 lbs, but Ace was down to 180 they said. He was originally 225. Part of his prior neglect included not being walked or brushed and being over-fed.
We took him into the waiting room and brought Barnabas in. Instantly, Barnabas ran over, lay on the floor and rolled upside down. Ace ignored him, giving him an occasional sniff then turning away.
We went home and they said if we were interested, we’d have to have a home study. I went out of town, but Dave had to work so he was available when they called. When I got back into town, he asked, “Are you ready to go pick up your new dog?”
I was like, “Are you serious?”
While I was gone, he went shopping and got a new bed, leash, collar, and a few toys and treats for Ace.
We jumped in the car and drove straight to the rescue center. It took a bit to convince Ace to get into our truck.
Barnabas was beside himself with joy. He’s always been a happy dog, but this put him over the top. He constantly wags and tries to get Ace to play Fang Fencing.
Dave, Barnabas (upside-down), and Ace, my boys
Now I have a home full of boys, but I couldn’t be happier. Ace has fit in like he was meant to be here all along. He is still learning a bit to trust us, and we are doing everything in our power to earn that trust. He loves going on walks. He is learning to play with toys and lie on his bed. We believe he was an outside dog before, so he had to be house trained but it hasn’t taken long at all. And our boys look more and more like twins every day as Ace’s coat is growing back in. There is nothing “mix” about this boy. He’s all Newf, and we love every bit of him. Especially the joy and happiness he has brought us and our Barnabas.
Ace and me
Ace and Barnabas
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