My Newfs
The Dog From Newfoundland
You will meet him as you go through life And he’ll always lick your hand.
You can count, when you’re in trouble On the dog from Newfoundland.
When some folks talk about him Telling jokes which aren’t too grand
You can tell that they are jealous Of the dog from Newfoundland.
From St. John’s to the Grand Banks And all through that great land
You’ll never find another Like the dog from Newfoundland.
He’ll save your life and treat you well And when you drink his brand
You'll understand all the stories Of the incredible Newfoundland.
In Corner Brook or Marystown When you’re dancing to a band
Just listen to the fiddler He’s telling of the Newfoundland.
Perhaps some day you’ll meet him Then you will understand
Why he makes the world a better place The dog from Newfoundland.
By Stefano Terranova
Winston's favorite spot in the living room.
Although Winston detested water he loved hanging out by the pool as long as no one made him go into the pool.
Winston enjoyed walks along Lake Michigan and would even get his feet wet. But only his feet!
Spring of 2010
Hanging out on the front porch in Kentucky.
Beautiful early morning walk in Kentucky.
Winston's slide show
I made a slide show to honor Winston's Gotcha day on July 31 2010. Click here if you would like to view it.
Winston's Story
No pedigree, no titles, just a rescue and just as loved
1998 or 1999 - 12/31/2010
I learned about Winston from a posting on Newf Net, an on-line Newfoundland dog forum. He was on Pet Finder in a kill shelter located in a town very close to me. They listed him as 8 1/2 or 9 1/2 years old, intact and an owner surrender. His picture haunted me and I knew I had to do something.
The coordinator of the Michigan Newfoundland Rescue made all the arrangements at the dog pound so all I had to do was show up and take him home. The plan was for me to keep him overnight and meet the coordinator the next day for a pick-up half way across the state.
While driving over to the pound I decided I better call my husband and let him know we were having an extra four paws for the night. He didn't question my insanity once.
Pictures are one thing to see but when they brought Winston out, to see first hand a beautiful newfie this skinny was like getting hit in the face with a bucket of ice water.
He looked me square in the eyes and quietly but confidently came to my side like this was always his place. After completing the required paperwork, we left that place.
He walked politely on lead next to me and matter of factly jumped into the crate in my van like he had done this on a daily basis. He sat upright in the crate and quietly listened to my chatter while we drove home. He calmly walked into our home and quietly greeted the three curious newfs through the baby gate.
The first thing on the schedule was to feed him. The second thing scheduled was a much needed bath. The lingering smells from the pound overwhelmed all of us.
I think it was after bathing him that my husband and I decided we would try being foster parents. He was very trusting, very calm and very cooperative while I bathed him, trimmed his nails and trimmed around his feet and ears.
He was painfully skinny and seriously infested with fleas. I just wanted to make him all better. The rest of our fur family was very curious but didn't seem upset at all with a newcomer in the home.
We named him Winston. He stayed in the family room separated by a baby gate in the house the first two days. That first night I slept with him just to make sure he was comfortable. While talking with him through the quiet of the night, I promised him he would always be safe and he would never go hungry again.
After having Winston with us for a month, my husband confessed that he didn't want Winston to go someplace else. We informed Rescue that Winston found his "forever" home with us. I'm not sure if we adopted him or if he adopted us.
We knew when we adopted and gave our hearts to a senior that our time would be short. I've learned a long time ago that it's not quantity that counts in some matters but quality. And our journey with Winston was nothing more than quality.
Winston traveled with us to water trials, dogs shows near and far, two National specialties and two Christmas parades. He loved it all and everyone who met this quiet dignified newfie fell in love with him too.
After a brief illness, we lost Winston on New Year's Eve 2010. He left us much like he joined us......in his own quiet dignified way. People have said how lucky Winston was to have found us. It really is the other way around. We truly are the fortunate ones who were lucky enough to share our journey with Winston, however brief it was. Winston shared our lives for 2 1/2 years.