The Gentle Giant

When I was a child, my family had this wonderful dog named Newfie. He was a cross between a Newfoundland and a lab. He was the sweetest most caring dog I have ever had the privilege of knowing. He would plop himself down in the middle of the floor and let me crawl and bounce all over him. It was a sad day when we lost him. Since then, I’ve never met a dog that I bonded with so much. When I was about nineteen, I decided I wanted to find me a puppy. It didn’t take me very long to decide I wanted a Newfoundland. I searched and searched for breeders and even on Newfie rescue sites but had no luck with the rescues and every breeder I found wanted an exorbitant amount of money, upwards of $1500 for one puppy. I was heartbroken but I decided to message one breeder just to see what she had available. I knew I couldn’t afford a puppy but I wanted to see the pictures of their adorable little faces. I waited patiently for her to reply and when she did I explained my situation and told her I was gonna save up some money by next summer, but the most amazing thing happened! She told me about this one puppy that really needed a good home. A puppy she couldn’t sell due to a small overbite that would likely disappear as the puppy grew. The moment the breeder brought “Katie” out, she bounded right over to me and I instantly fell in love with her beautiful brown eyes and warm persona. I couldn’t wait to take her to her new home. I decided on renaming her Maggie and well, the rest is history.

It’s been three years since I brought my big bundle of joy—and fur—home. There’s been ups and downs. I moved into an apartment and I could not bring a 120 lbs dog to a small one bedroom apartment. She had to stay with my mom, but she had two German shepherds to play with! Well one actually, my moms male shepherd hated her for some reason. Jealousy would be my guess.

Sadly, I found myself spending less and less time with her. My time was spent working full time and going to college part time. I came home, did tons of homework and went to bed. I missed her but at the same time, life was getting in the way. Part of me thought if I ever got her back that she wouldn’t be my dog anymore. She had to have bonded with my mom over the year I’ve spent away. But that fear was dashed every time I came to visit and she would get so excited to see me! It goes to show that dogs really are mans-and woman’s- best friend.

It was one of the happiest days of my life when I got the opportunity to move into a three bedroom house with a backyard! I got to have my Maggie back! She was a little iffy about moving into a new house but the place quickly became her home. My massive “puppy” sleeps in my bed and goes to the creek with me all the time. We go on walks and trips to the tractor supply... things are perfect!

I recently decided to post of the breeders page about how well she was doing three years later. The overbite did go away and she was happy and healthy. After I posted my pictures I couldn’t help but go look at the most recent puppies. I knew I couldn’t afford it but I got excited and messaged her to see what she had available. Turns out she had a litter with twelve puppies and wasn’t able to sell them all by the time the newest litter was born. We worked out a deal where we both were happy and I was able to get Maggie a little brother!

Here we are. I’m the happiest Newfoundland mom out here! Got my big baby Maggie, and my new baby Milo. I’m on Newfie heaven! If any of you haven’t had to privilege of knowing a Newfoundland dog then you need to get on that! This breed is a wonderful breed. They are gentle giants with a very loving and warm personality. I don’t know where I’d be without my fluffy babies. 😊