The Loyal, Soft-Natured Newfoundland

The county fire department got the call from the animal shelter that a dog was trapped in a storm drain pipe. It took awhile but they finally succeeded in freeing the large black dog and she was taken to the local shelter for care. They had to completely shave her to get rid of all the mats. She was obviously old and the days spent trapped in the drain pipe had affected her health. Who would ever adopt such a creature? They considered euthanizing her. But there was a shelter employee who would not give up on finding this dog a home. The shelter employee called her neighbor, who happened to know someone who was interested in Newfoundland dogs. That is how Suzie ended up at our home. Sweetness is the hallmark of the Newfoundland temperament, and Suzie was very sweet. They are also huge. Having Suzie lying across the family room floor was like having a black bear in the house. A male Newfoundland can weigh about 150 pounds. Suzie weighed in at 115 pounds. She ate as much as our oth...