Skip to Content

How It All Began

I can’t do it.

I just can’t .

Before I do anymore posts I need to take the time to talk about how it all began.

Where my love of Newfs stems from.

Sherman and Leroy are my present, but there is a past.

My first Newf. Thunder. Aka ThunderBunder.

Actually that’s not true, Thunder was not my first Newf. His brother Storm was.

Storm was my first Newf.

What a great little man he was.  So beautiful and full of life.
He unfortunately was taken from us way too soon.
At only 3 months old Storm was ran over by a car in our driveway by a stranger.
He passed away on the way to the emergency clinic.
That is all I am going to say about that. It was 13 years ago but it still hurts as if it happened yesterday.
There was one dog left out of Storm’s litter and it was offered to me many times by the breeder, but I refused. I was heartbroken.
As it turns out I didn’t have a say in it, because one night after leaving work, there was a little surprise in the front seat of my car. It was Thunder. My sister had placed him there and was nearby watching for my reaction. It wasn’t a good reaction. I thought someone was playing a cruel joke on me and I screamed. Loud. My sister came running over and told me to just open the damn door. So I did.  A second chance was there.  I named him Thunderstorm, so he could share his brother’s name.
As I came to find out more about Thunder I learned that there was a reason he was the only pup left out of the litter.
He had a very bad heart.

Severe SAS. Sub Aortic Stenosis.

I was told that he most likely would not live past 2 years old. He would die from sudden death. One day while playing his heart would just give out and he would be gone.

I was heartbroken, again. A few months went by and we were invited to participate in a study at The Ohio State University for Newfoundlands with SAS. Over the next few years we would drive back and forth every few months to have Thunder evaluated. Sometimes he would be sent home with a holter monitor to wear so they could evaluate his heart from home. He was put on a heart medication, and although his heart never got better, it never got worse either.
We were able to spend many happy years with him.

It wasn’t until he was 8 that he started to slow down. He began to get weak in his hindquarters to the point where he could barely get up. When he did get up he would drag his rear paws.
He was eventually diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy.
After a few months it became to much to bear to watch him suffering and we helped him cross the Rainbow Bridge.
I sure miss my ThunderBunder.

So to honor the boys of my past I would like to leave a poem for them:

A Little Prayer for Larry

by M. M. Brown

Is there a country, Lord, where thou does keep

A place reserved for dogs that fall asleep,

Large, airy kennels, yards for hiding bones,

A little river chattering over stones,

And wide, green fields for those that never knew

A smokey town, an old worn rug or two

Before a fire where sparks do not fly out?

Sparks are such nasty things to have about.

I like to think there is; and so I pray

For one young Newfoundland that died today.

He was so full of fun, not very wise,

The puppy-look still lingered in his eyes;

But he was very dear; he’d come to me

And rest his soft, black chin upon my knee.

Thou knowest him. One night not long ago

He tramped with me across the frozen snow;

And there beyond the wood, peaceful and still,

We met Thee walking on the moonlit hill.

Lord, keep him safe, wherever he may be;

And let him always have a thought for me,

That I may hear, when I pass through the dark,

Thy soothing voice, and then a friendly bark.

Five years after Thunder left us I realized that something was missing from our home, our family, and from my life. It was the love of a Newf.

I know we don’t know much about what the futures holds, but if there is one thing, I know my home, my family, and my life will never be without that love again.

Sharing is caring!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

IHateToast

Sunday 12th of September 2010

i've never seen a newfie puppy. more puppy shots, please.

Cole

Wednesday 8th of September 2010

That's such a good poem...even if it (and your story of Thunder & Storm) made me cry. Thanks for sharing.

Two Pitties in the City

Wednesday 8th of September 2010

Thanks for sharing. We don't encounter many Newfies here, so it's been interesting hearing about all your experiences and adventures through your blog.

jen

Wednesday 8th of September 2010

Thank you to all of you for the taking the time to read this long post. It was one of those things I just had to do:)No more sad posts this week!

Maddy the Puggle

Wednesday 8th of September 2010

Mommy has tears in her eyes! Your newfs are just as lucky to have you guys :)Kisses,Maddy

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Homemade Cranberry Dog Treats 20 Easy Halloween Pumpkin Carving Ideas The 4 Stages Of The Newfoundland Dog Homemade Apple Dog Treats No-Bake Pumpkin Dog Treats