Charlie's Friends

• See Kaydin's story below
• Read about Bonnie, a Cavalier, who lives in Grants Pass, Oregon  Article   Web Page

Newfoundland Rescue is one organization dedicated to the preservation and the advancement of the Newfoundland.  The Pacific Northwest Newfoundland Club may also have rescue Newf's available to qualified homes. Newfies are great dogs but they are not for everyone.  Newfies want to be a part of your family and not left outdoors or in a kennel with an occasional visit. Newfoundlands will change your life with their love.

Charlie had a play date with Catherine and her five Newfoundlands.  Catherine, and her five Newfies, lived a few miles away and extended a visit so Charlie and her Newfies could meet and play together.  Unfortunately it was about that time we discovered that Charlie had bone cancer and only a few days to live.  Still grieving, Kathy and I decided to keep Charlie’s play date and meet Catherine and her Newf’s.  Needless to say Catherine is a wonderful person and her five beautiful Newfies were delightful. 

It was during this visit that the subject of foster parents came up.  Although Kathy and I had talked about getting another Newfie we were still getting over the loss of Charlie.  Charlie left a large empty spot in our hearts and an even bigger empty spot on the kitchen floor where he would lay as dinner was being prepared.  Charlie weighed 170 pounds and was about six feet long. 

Catherine mentioned that there was a Newf that needed a foster home and had to be placed by Sunday, this was Monday afternoon.  After some discussion we decided we could.  This decision put us in contact with another caring person, Beverly (and her three Newfies), who emailed us the paperwork to be foster parents, came over and did a home and yard inspection, and then drove halfway to Corvallis so we could pick up our new rescue Newfoundland, Kaydin.  The name Kaydin, we discovered, means “companion” in Arabic. 

Kaydin, who had been living with his family along the coast of Oregon since he was four months old (he is five and one-half years old now), lost his home, his family, a playmate, and everything he has ever known.  When we picked him up his skin showed evidence of “hot spots”, he had fleas, and he desperately needed a bath.  In addition, it appeared that his left cranial cruciate ligament had torn at some time in the past.  Although Kaydin was compensating well with his injury it was clear that he needed to be seen by a vet and his leg examined for a possible TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy -- Read more about TPLO) surgery or a brace.  Following his exam it was determined that a TPLO would be in his best interests and Dr. Matt Lawrence, Crater Animal Clinic, did the TPLO surgery on November 3^rd, just ten days after he arrived at our home.  He is doing well after the surgery although it was discovered that his bones were exceptionally soft and the healing process may take longer than expected.  Although we can’t be certain, Kaydin’s diet was probably deficient in many essential minerals and vitamins.

Kaydin is a very warm and loving Newf.  He is going through separation anxiety and dealing with health issues but despite all that he wants to love and be loved.  His ability to drink water and get as much on the floor as he does in his tummy is amazing.  Kaydin loves to have his tummy rubbed.  He doesn’t bark unless someone comes to the door and he is getting better about “expressing himself” (he would howl mournfully) if we left the room. 

• Jacksonville, Oregon 97530  •