Dear Odin’s Former Owner,
This letter should be simple to write to you but since the subject (my dog) is complex, I’ve rewritten it several times.
The first draft was a little too empathetic because I tried to understand your situation of being first-time parents and the stress and overwhelming feelings that comes with that adventure.
I’ve been there.
No, I really have.
18 years ago I brought home a newborn to a Newfie and it was overwhelming and scary when the Newfie stuck his head inside the bassinet and I realized that his head was the same size as my son’s body.
But I didn’t throw my Newfie out in the backyard and let him fend for himself.
And that’s where my empathy for you stops.
I have your dog. Actually he’s my dog, but for a brief moment, he belonged to you until you decided that he was disposable.
He was a member of your family for 1 year. He loved you unconditionally and you selfishly didn’t try to find him a new home or return him to the breeder, you put him outside like he was trash.
You abandoned him when he never would have abandoned you.
You abused him when you let him continuously get shot by pellets instead of just reaching out to someone to take him.
The more I get to know Odin, the more disgust that I have for you.
The dog that you put out for trash, is an awesome dog and thankfully his Newfie spirit, while crushed, is beginning to show again.
In 2 weeks he’s become apart of my family and you know what?
He loves kids. He greets my kids every day when they come home from school with a wagging tail and kisses.
And that jumping that he does? He’s a smart boy and we were able to train that right out of him in 2 days tops.
Do you know that because of what you did to him he has a fear of being outside by himself?
He quickly does his business and then runs to seek cover probably because he fears he’s going to be shot.
All he wants to do is be surrounded by people that will keep him safe.
His eyes, they’re a tunnel to his soul and I have no idea how you could look at those eyes and go about your life without a care in the world for his.
You’re undeserving of a Newfie’s love.
I wish I could say this to your face but your identity was not released to me so perhaps this letter will find you across the internet one day.
Until then, your loss is my gain and my family and I will reap the benefits of being loved by Odin and he will always have a home.
Regards,
Odin’s Mom-Forever
Michael Buszek
Tuesday 24th of September 2019
So happy for you and Odin
De Hufford
Tuesday 24th of September 2019
So glad Odin got to you! Poor guy!
Ted Jones
Monday 23rd of September 2019
I have been rescuing dogs for the past 55 years. Our last two have been Newfies. The first was a rescue from an evil Amish breeder who was going to kill her because she had "ugly" puppies. No such thing as an ugly Newfie pup. We only had her for 15 months when she succumbed to PLE. Six months later we adopted another rescue Newfie - one year old and 130 pounds. There have been adjustment issues with our German Shepard mix but they are BFFs. Of all the doggos with who. I've shared my heart and home, Newfies are unique. Amazing dogs. I will just leave it at that as I could write a thesis on human beings ignorance about dogs.
Lynn Kelly
Monday 23rd of September 2019
This is so hard to read because i cant understand how anyone could hurt a dog ever. As a newfie mom to my Odin aka Puppa Cheech i cant even imagine. I am a first time Newfie mom and i will say they are alot of dog to handle only because they just want there family. I have had dogs my whole life and after the lose of my 10 year old Bernese (Dublin) i was so broken hearted that within 2 months my husband brought home my Puppa and wow he is a hole lot of dog. He is a bulldozer in every sense of the word. We won't even mention the spit and fur or the love of the bathtub. He is now almost a year old and weights in at a tiny 140. Even though he makes me crazy the bond and love he has for me is indescribable. I am so happy you took Odin and I know he has been blessed to have you for a mom, but in actuality we ar the ones blessed to have these huge bundles of love in our lifes. If you ever find another dog in need this house has enough love for another dog or 3..ok max 3. lol. Thank you for sharing. Love to Odin
Karina
Monday 23rd of September 2019
Thank you for writing this, it always breaks my heart reading how some animals are treated. I have a rescue cat who one person though was trash is literally the best cat I have ever had! I came into my Newfs life when he was 3, and I could not imagine life without him. I had to do lots of research as Newfs are Newfs and not like any other dog I was used to. We had gone through a few struggles but I would never, ever abandon my boy. He keeps me constantly learning about the breed and his temperament, but his love, his love is the unconditional kind that I wouldn't trade for anything in this entire world. Thank you for helping Odin realize that not all humans are bad and that love can be unconditional again. He is absolutely beautiful and deserves all the love that you and your family are giving him, what a great life he will have with you all!